Proposing the Simplification of the Multilayer Urban Canopy Model: Intercomparison Study of Four Models

Abstract

AbstractThe study proposes the simplification of the multilayer urban canopy model. Four types of multilayer urban canopy models—level 4, level 3, level 2, and level 1—are developed to reduce the computational load of the heat budget calculations at the wall surface. The level 4 model, which accounts for the wall directions and the vertical layer, is simplified in three ways: the level 3 model only accounts for the vertical layers, the level 2 model accounts for the wall directions, and the level 1 model accounts for neither the wall directions nor the vertical layer. From the simplification, compared to the level 4 model, the memory is reduced by 57%, 65%, and 72% for the level 3–level 1 models, respectively, when the vertical canopy layer is seven. At the same time, the CPU time is reduced by 67%, 70%, and 78% for the level 3–level 1 models. Then, each canopy model is compared with observations in Tokyo. The results show that the simulations from the four models are close to the observed ones, and the differences among the four models are very small. An additional model intercomparison study based on idealized simulations indicates that the level 3 model can be used instead of the level 4 model in any condition, whereas the level 2 and level 1 models are proposed to be used under conditions with a large sky view factor.