Influence of calculation domain size on numerical simulation results for complex terrain wind fields

Computational domain size is a key factor in the numerical simulation of complex terrain wind fields. However, present studies on the selection of computational domain size in the simulation process are scarce. The influence of computational domain size on calculation results also remains unclear. This study analyzed the length and height of calculation domain and established 11 numerical wind tunnel models with different lengths to determine the influence of calculation domain size on the simulation results of complex wind fields, this. Information about the average and fluctuating wind fields of the target location was obtained using large eddy simulation. A detailed analysis was conducted on an actual mountainous terrain wind field in Zhangjiajie, China. Results show that the stable position of wind speed in the height direction is 7 to 8 times the height of the highest mountain in the simulation of complex terrain wind field. In the horizontal direction, the complex mountain topography of several kilometers cannot sufficiently generate the average wind field, and fluctuating wind fields are consistent with the actual situation. The application of additional reasonable average wind speed and fluctuating wind speed at the inlet boundary is necessary for detailed analysis of complex terrain wind fields. This study can provide a reference for numerical simulation of complex terrain wind fields. © 2019 Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology.