Truncated vortex generators for part-depth wind-tunnel simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer flow

A modified design of the ‘Counihan’ vortex generator was proposed for purposes of part-depth atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind-tunnel simulations. Three redesigned vortex generators were manufactured and their applicability was tested in a boundary layer wind tunnel together with a castellated barrier wall and a fetch of roughness elements. Using this hardware, neutrally stratified ABL developing above rural, suburban and urban terrains was successfully reproduced. A hot-wire anemometry system was applied for measurements of mean velocity and velocity fluctuations. Comparisons of wind-tunnel results with full-scale data and/or with theoretical models are presented, including mean velocity, turbulence intensity, integral length scale of turbulence and power spectral density of velocity fluctuations. The analysis of obtained results indicates the adequacy of redesigned ‘Counihan’ vortex generators for part-depth ABL wind-tunnel simulations, as the obtained wind-tunnel results compare well with the full-scale rural, suburban and urban ABL.