Tecplot
by TecPlot Inc
Grace Research Network Wind Shear and Turbulence
Wind Shear and Turbulence: Visualising Wind Flow Down Under
The Challenge: To save lives from the dangers of violent wind shearing weather
Wind shear is a highly unpredictable and violent weather phenomenon that results when opposing squall lines of high-velocity winds cross or collide. The result is a whirlwind, mini-tornado effect in which wildly thrashing air currents can throw even huge aircraft out of control when they are flying at low landing speeds. During the critical moments of landing, there is little time for a pilot to recover from such unexpected buffeting, and ground obstacles are often perilously close.
Such treacherous wind patterns can also put the lives of unaware firefighters in great danger. With the help of technology, researchers are looking closer at such wind patterns in an effort to help pilots, marine craft operations, and firefighters avoid putting themselves and others' lives at risk.
Researchers at the Grace Research Network are using Tecplot 360 and O-Matrix software to study the complex phenomena of wind shears and turbulence in Australia. The Grace Research Network is an Australian research organisation that provides environmental studies and data modelling services to government agencies in Australia, as well as to private agricultural chemical use companies.
Dr. Warwick Grace, the company's principle scientist, uses Tecplot 360 and O-Matrix software to help him understand the complex data generated in his research, as well as to communicate the results of this research to the company's clients.
Use data models and advanced visualisation to locate and predict areas of turbulence in critical paths that pilots can avoid
To help him better understand such wind phenomena, Dr. Grace used O-Matrix software to create this model, which was then visualised in Tecplot 360. The resulting plot (Figure 1) represents a vertical slice view of modelled wind flow over a small mountain. The plot shows a jump-like feature of the strong down or up-motion on the leeside of the mountain. The plot also illustrates the extreme turbulence (denoted in black) above the jump as well as the low-level eddy showing backflow.
"The wind shear and turbulence associated with this type of wind flow is hazardous to aircraft. However, if it can be anticipated, pilots can avoid it," says Grace, "For example, with an inversion the area of turbulence can be located within the flight path to the local airports."
Grace also modelled the wind flow over the Adelaide Plains and Mount Lofty Ranges. The resulting plots (Figures 2 & 3) show the variation in wind speed over the foothills and the plains. Figure 3 also shows the 3D view of near-surface wind flow.
|
2D Cartesian X-Y plane view of wind (represented by vectors) over the topography. |
Unanticipated wind shears and gusts can also prove deadly for marine craft operators as well as local firefighters battling bush fires. "On near-shore waters, where the ranges meet the sea, the effect of the hills is to increase the wind strength rather than to act as a shelter as marine craft users-especially inexperienced users new to the area-might expect," says Grace. "For local bushfire fighters, a knowledge of the wind behaviour helps in the planning of their operations. For all those potentially affected 'forewarned is forearmed.'"
Grace created the plots using a mesoscale meteorological model coded in O-Matrix (an integrated analysis environment used for analysing data and creating simulations). The data generated by the model was then transferred into Tecplot 360 for visualization.
|
3D view of near-surface flow over the topography using vectors to show the wind. |
The plots created with O-Matrix and Tecplot 360 enabled Grace to understand phenomena that is not evident to the human eye. "By being able to stretch the Z-axis and insert streamtraces, I was able to identify the presence of a reverse eddy," says Grace. "This was observational evidence for this feature, but it was unexpected that the model would be able to simulate it."
Grace, who uses Tecplot 360 to create both 2D and 3D plots, says the plots are a "vital part of communicating aspects of the environment" to his clients. The plots in this study are being used to assist marine and aircraft operators, as well as firefighters.
The use of Tecplot software facilitates the research efforts at Grace Research in many ways. "Tecplot data visualisation lets me know if the models that I develop are realistic," says Grace. "It allows me to identify and communicate the features that the client needs to be aware of and to heed."
Tecplot 360's three greatest strengths, according to Grace, are: its link to O-Matrix, its interactive flexibility once a plot is created, and its streamtraces feature. "With Tecplot, I can create and export good visualisations from actual data and/or model data that suits my clients," says Grace."
When asked how Tecplot 360 is different from other packages on the market, Grace points to Tecplot's direct link to O-Matrix. "With the O-Matrix link, I can work within one integrated package," says Grace. "I have found there are very few packages that have the extensive power of Tecplot."