A new approach is proposed to use the covariant scalar equations of the a-coordinate （the covariant method）, in which the pressure gradient force （PGF） has only one term in each horizontal momentum equation, and t...A new approach is proposed to use the covariant scalar equations of the a-coordinate （the covariant method）, in which the pressure gradient force （PGF） has only one term in each horizontal momentum equation, and the PGF errors are much reduced in the computational space. In addition, the validity of reducing the PGF errors by this covariant method in the computational and physical space over steep terrain is investigated. First, the authors implement a set of idealized experiments of increasing terrain slope to compare the PGF errors of the covariant method and those of the classic method in the computational space. The results demonstrate that the PGF errors of the covariant method are consistently much-reduced, compared to those of the classic method. More importantly, the steeper the terrain, the greater the reduction in the ratio of the PGF errors via the covariant method. Next, the authors use geometric analysis to further investigate the PGF errors in the physical space, and the results illustrates that the PGF of the covariant method equals that of the classic method in the physical space; namely, the covariant method based on the non-orthogonal a-coordinate cannot reduce the PGF errors in the physical space. However, an orthogonal method can reduce the PGF errors in the physical space. Finally, a set of idealized experiments are carried out to validate the results obtained by the geometric analysis. These results indicate that the covariant method may improve the simulation of variables relevant to pressure, in addition to pressure itself, near steep terrain.展开更多
A terrain-following coordinate （a-coordinate） in which the computational form of pressure gradient force （PGF） is two-term （the so-called classic method） has significant PGF errors near steep terrain. Using the ...A terrain-following coordinate （a-coordinate） in which the computational form of pressure gradient force （PGF） is two-term （the so-called classic method） has significant PGF errors near steep terrain. Using the covariant equations of the a-coordinate to create a one-term PGF （the covariant method） can reduce the PGF errors. This study investigates the factors inducing the PGF errors of these two methods, through geometric analysis and idealized experiments. The geometric analysis first demonstrates that the terrain slope and the vertical pressure gradient can induce the PGF errors of the classic method, and then generalize the effect of the terrain slope to the effect of the slope of each vertical layer （φ）. More importantly, a new factor, the direction of PGF （a）, is proposed by the geometric analysis, and the effects of φ and a are quantified by tan φ.tan a. When tan φ.tan a is greater than 1/9 or smaller than -10/9, the two terms of PGF of the classic method are of the same order but opposite in sign, and then the PGF errors of the classic method are large. Finally, the effects of three factors on inducing the PGF errors of the classic method are validated by a series of idealized experiments using various terrain types and pressure fields. The experimental results also demonstrate that the PGF errors of the covariant method are affected little by the three factors.展开更多
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)[grant number 2015CB954102]the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number41305095],[grant number 41175064]
文摘A new approach is proposed to use the covariant scalar equations of the a-coordinate （the covariant method）, in which the pressure gradient force （PGF） has only one term in each horizontal momentum equation, and the PGF errors are much reduced in the computational space. In addition, the validity of reducing the PGF errors by this covariant method in the computational and physical space over steep terrain is investigated. First, the authors implement a set of idealized experiments of increasing terrain slope to compare the PGF errors of the covariant method and those of the classic method in the computational space. The results demonstrate that the PGF errors of the covariant method are consistently much-reduced, compared to those of the classic method. More importantly, the steeper the terrain, the greater the reduction in the ratio of the PGF errors via the covariant method. Next, the authors use geometric analysis to further investigate the PGF errors in the physical space, and the results illustrates that the PGF of the covariant method equals that of the classic method in the physical space; namely, the covariant method based on the non-orthogonal a-coordinate cannot reduce the PGF errors in the physical space. However, an orthogonal method can reduce the PGF errors in the physical space. Finally, a set of idealized experiments are carried out to validate the results obtained by the geometric analysis. These results indicate that the covariant method may improve the simulation of variables relevant to pressure, in addition to pressure itself, near steep terrain.
基金jointly supported by the National Basic Research Program of China[973 Program,grant number 2015CB954102]National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant numbers41305095 and 41175064]
文摘A terrain-following coordinate （a-coordinate） in which the computational form of pressure gradient force （PGF） is two-term （the so-called classic method） has significant PGF errors near steep terrain. Using the covariant equations of the a-coordinate to create a one-term PGF （the covariant method） can reduce the PGF errors. This study investigates the factors inducing the PGF errors of these two methods, through geometric analysis and idealized experiments. The geometric analysis first demonstrates that the terrain slope and the vertical pressure gradient can induce the PGF errors of the classic method, and then generalize the effect of the terrain slope to the effect of the slope of each vertical layer （φ）. More importantly, a new factor, the direction of PGF （a）, is proposed by the geometric analysis, and the effects of φ and a are quantified by tan φ.tan a. When tan φ.tan a is greater than 1/9 or smaller than -10/9, the two terms of PGF of the classic method are of the same order but opposite in sign, and then the PGF errors of the classic method are large. Finally, the effects of three factors on inducing the PGF errors of the classic method are validated by a series of idealized experiments using various terrain types and pressure fields. The experimental results also demonstrate that the PGF errors of the covariant method are affected little by the three factors.
