Simulation of wind field over complex terrain based on elevation data

A numerical simulation method for the wind field over complex terrain was developed. The complex terrain was represented by a surface, which was established by the surface spline method based on the contour line of the map. Then it was divided into panels containing vortex ring singularities. The singularity distribution was solved by combining with the potential flow theory and the boundary condition of terrain surface. Finally, the wind field was simulated by linear superposition of the uniform stream and the induced velocity of vortex rings. A numerical example was studied, and the result was also compared with the one obtained by existing method. It indicates that the method proposed could describe the terrain much more accurately and provide a reasonable result of wind field distribution, but has a simple and efficient procedure, which is suitable for the engineering use in flight dynamics.