Numerical modelling of flow structures over idealized.pdfVIP

Geomorphology 59 (2004) 149–164 /locate/geomorph Numerical modelling of flow structures over idealized transverse aeolian dunes of varying geometry Daniel R. Parsons a,*, Ian J. Walkerb, Giles F.S. Wiggsc a School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JJT, UK b Department of Geography, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3050, Station CSC, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W3P5 c Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK Accepted 16 July 2003 Abstract A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model (PHOENICS k 3.5) previously validated for wind tunnel measurements is used to simulate the streamwise and vertical velocity flow fields over idealized transverse dunes of varying height (h) and stoss slope basal length (L). The model accurately reproduced patterns of: flow deceleration at the dune toe; stoss flow acceleration; vertical lift in the crest region; lee-side flow separation, re-attachment and reversal; and flow recovery distance. Results indicate that the flow field over transverse dunes is particularly sensitive to changes in dune height, with an increase in height resulting in flow deceleration at the toe, streamwise acceleration and vertical lift at the crest, and an increase in the extent of, and strength of reversed flows within, the lee-side separation cell. In general, the length of the separation zone varied from 3 to 15 h from the crest and increased over taller, steeper dunes. Similarly, the flow recovery distance ranged from 45 to 75 h and was more sensitive to changes in dune height. For the range of dune shapes investigate