Abstract
A three-dimensional potential flow model was formerly developed to predict wind fields in complex terrain. In the potential flow model, wind vectors and air flows are estimated from a velocity potential function obtained by combining two or three-dimensional doublets and a uniform stream. In this paper, the validity of the potential flow model was examined through comparison against wind tunnel experiments and field model experiments. The calculated wind direction with the potential flow model can be considered mostly appropriate excluding wake district. The calculated wind velocities closely agree with the observed ones at a distance from the ground but are overestimated near the ground. This is due to potential flow which cannot accomodate viscous effects. To introduce viscous effects, a quasi-potential flow model was developed. This model is a simple method to modify wind fields of the potential flow model with only velocity distribution of inflow boundary conditions. The results of the quasi-potential flow model agree relatively well with the observed velocities even near the ground.
