Three-Dimensional Lagrangian Simulation of Suspended Particles in the Neutrally Stratified Atmospheric Surface Layer

A three-dimensional (3-D) inertial particle – Lagrangian stochastic model for heavy particles in turbulent flows has been constructed. In this model, particle velocities are computed by adopting a non-linear drag law, while fluid velocity in the vicinity of a particle is calculated using a 3-D Langevin equation. Our model results have shown that the inclusion of the horizontal fluid velocity fluctuation computations and a non-linear drag law have an impact on the statistics of both fluid and particles when compared with our earlier one-dimensional (1-D) model with a linear drag law. Model results are compared and contrasted with Businger’s 1965 theory in terms of effective settling velocity.