What does this research mean for the field?

Widely adopted critical Reynolds number values (10,000-20,000) are insufficient to ensure Reynolds number independence in wind tunnel testing of urban street canyons, with values up to 47,000 being necessary, especially near wall boundaries. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate scale effects and determine the critical Reynolds number required to achieve Reynolds number independence for three-dimensional turbulent flow in an urban street canyon configuration.

September 5, 2026Experiments in FluidsOpen Access

Wind tunnel measurements of scale effects on 3D turbulent flow in an urban street canyon configuration

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ΝΠΝικόλαος-Πέτρος Πάλλας BDBrian Dsouza CGChristof Gromke

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Wind tunnel experiment reveals that flow independence requires Reynolds numbers up to 47,000 in urban street canyons, indicating standard testing thresholds underestimate near-wall turbulence.

Key Points

Evaluate scale effects and determine the critical Reynolds number required to achieve Reynolds number independence for three-dimensional turbulent flow in an urban street canyon configuration.
Conducted wind tunnel experiments on a simplified model of five consecutive street canyons with aspect ratios of 1 (height-to-width) and 8 (length-to-width) at ~5% free-stream turbulence intensity.
Acquired 3D-3C robotic particle tracking velocimetry and constant temperature anemometry data across Reynolds numbers ranging from 23,000 to 57,000.
Demonstrated that the standard critical Reynolds number threshold (10,000–20,000) is insufficient to achieve flow independence throughout the entire canyon volume.
Established that Reynolds numbers up to 47,000 are necessary to achieve independence for time-averaged velocity components and turbulence kinetic energy, particularly near wall boundaries.

Cite This Study

Πάλλας et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4346b95aff0620eba18 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-026-04299-8

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

September 5, 2026Experiments in FluidsOpen Access

Wind tunnel measurements of scale effects on 3D turbulent flow in an urban street canyon configuration

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ΝΠΝικόλαος-Πέτρος Πάλλας BDBrian Dsouza CGChristof Gromke

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Wind tunnel experiment reveals that flow independence requires Reynolds numbers up to 47,000 in urban street canyons, indicating standard testing thresholds underestimate near-wall turbulence.

Key Points

Evaluate scale effects and determine the critical Reynolds number required to achieve Reynolds number independence for three-dimensional turbulent flow in an urban street canyon configuration.
Conducted wind tunnel experiments on a simplified model of five consecutive street canyons with aspect ratios of 1 (height-to-width) and 8 (length-to-width) at ~5% free-stream turbulence intensity.
Acquired 3D-3C robotic particle tracking velocimetry and constant temperature anemometry data across Reynolds numbers ranging from 23,000 to 57,000.
Demonstrated that the standard critical Reynolds number threshold (10,000–20,000) is insufficient to achieve flow independence throughout the entire canyon volume.
Established that Reynolds numbers up to 47,000 are necessary to achieve independence for time-averaged velocity components and turbulence kinetic energy, particularly near wall boundaries.

Cite This Study

Πάλλας et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4346b95aff0620eba18 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-026-04299-8

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark