A Self-Contained Model for the Pressure Terms in the Turbulent Stress Equations of the Neutral Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Abstract

In this paper we develop an abbreviated model for the pressure-gradient velocity correlation terms in the equations for the Reynolds-stress components in the neutral boundary layer. The model contains three terms: a nonlinear return-to-isotropy term, a mean strain-rate term, and a mean vorticity term. There are three free constants in the model, which are determined with the aid of experimental results on the ratios between the Reynolds-stress components in the neutral surface layer. Since three independent equations are involved, the model is self-contained. Through its mean vorticity term, the model incorporates the effects of a rotating coordinate system. The application of the model to a neutral Ekman layer gives realistic results.