With this error, viper would predict a non-zero buoyancy force for a
neutrally-stratified atmosphere. The following plots illustrate the
incorrect behavior. These plots were generated by running viper with
a specified temperature profile, but the remainder of the parameters
consistent with case 001 of the Frankfort B744 data set.
Viper would also predict no buoyancy force for an isothermal atmosphere.
This is incorrect since an isothermal atmosphere is actually rather stably
stratified. The following plots illustrate the
incorrect behavior.
The fix
The problem was corrected by adding the appropriate source term to the
mass balance equation to account for adiabatic compression of the
wake cell. The source term is derived by assuming that the pressure within
the wake cell remains in equilibrium with the local ambient pressure
during the descent. It is further assumed that the density within the
wake cell responds to the increasing pressure via an isentropic compression
(adiabatic and reversible). The source term is quite compact and relies
on variables readily available where it is needed in viper.
It was also found that viper would not compute density profiles consistent
with the input temperature profile and the hydrostatic balance. This portion
of the code was also corrected.
With these corrections, viper now predicts no buoyancy force for a
neutrally-stratified atmosphere, as the following plots illustrate.
In addition, the corrected viper behaves as expected, predicting a
non-zero buoyancy force for an isothermal atmosphere.
