Modelling of strong wind flows over complex terrain at small geometric scales

This paper discusses some relevant issues concerning the wind-tunnel modelling of wind flows over complex terrain during neutrally stable, strong-wind episodes. There is sufficient evidence available to suggest that as geometric scales are reduced below about 1:500, increasingly significant errors occur in the modelling of these conditions over complex terrain. The literature is examined in an attempt to quantify some limits that might assist in the design of accurate wind-tunnel experiments at relatively small geometric scales. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.