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Improved AERMOD Input Data
AERMOD predicts plume dispersion using operating parameters and meteorological, terrain, and building geometry data. Of course, AERMOD's predictions are only as good as the input data. Because plume dispersion predictions from AERMOD are very sensitive to building geometry data, it is crucial to have the most accurate geometry input data available.
Equivalent Building Dimensions (EBD) replaces the less-accurate Building Profile Input Program (BPIP) for producing AERMOD-compatible building geometry data. The EBD process was developed at CPP when it became clear that BPIP does not produce valid data under certain common conditions.
Why is EBD more accurate than BPIP?
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EBD accounts for complex geometry. BPIP misjudges lattice, tiered, cylindrical, and complex structures.
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EBD accurately accounts for the effects of terrain. Although the surrounding topography can be a crucial factor in plume behavior, BPIP does not effectively incorporate terrain effects. Click to view animation
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EBD does not merge separate structures. For more than one site building, BPIP will often "average" the buildings into one structure.
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EBD does not pick the wrong dominant building. For sites with more than one building, AERMOD needs to know which is the dominant structure. BPIP often picks the wrong one.
The EBD process improves on BPIP by including wind tunnel tests of the site—buildings, terrain, surrounding structures and features—to experimentally measure actual plume dispersion behavior. EBD provides the closest match between the wind tunnel test results and the actual site structures, making EBD the most accurate building dimension input data available.
