On the Velocity Gradient in Stably Stratified Sheared Flows. Part 1: Asymptotic Analysis and Applications

• Published in: Boundary-layer meteorology Vol. 135; no. 3; pp. 505 - 511
• Main Authors: Zilitinkevich, S. S, Esau, I, Kleeorin, N, Rogachevskii, I, Kouznetsov, R. D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.06.2010; Springer Netherlands; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Asymptotic properties; Atmospheric boundary layer; Atmospheric models; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Atmospheric Sciences; Budgeting; Computational fluid dynamics; Dissipation; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Flux Richardson number; Kinetic energy; Mathematical models; Meteorology; Research Note; Stationary and homogeneous regime; Strong static stability; Turbulence; Turbulence closure; Turbulent dissipation length scale; Turbulent flow; Turbulent kinetic energy; Velocity; Velocity gradient; Turbulent kinetic energy; Strong static stability; Flux Richardson number; Turbulence closure; Velocity gradient; Stationary and homogeneous regime; Turbulent dissipation length scale
• ISSN: 0006-8314; 1573-1472
• DOI: 10.1007/s10546-010-9488-x

We give a new derivation of the familiar linear relation for the dimensionless velocity gradient in the stably stratified surface layer and provide physical and empirical grounds for its universal applicability in stationary homogeneous turbulence over the whole range of static stabilities from Ri = 0 to very large Ri. Combining this relation with the budget equation for the turbulent kinetic energy we obtain the “equilibrium formulation” of the turbulent dissipation length scale, and recommend it for use in turbulence closure models.