ASTM D5527-23 PDF

Overview

ASTM D5527-23: Standard Practices for Measuring Surface Wind and Temperature by Acoustic Means provides guidelines for the field measurement of wind components and sonic temperature using sonic anemometer/thermometers. This standard is essential for atmospheric research, environmental monitoring, and meteorological applications, where accurate measurement of wind turbulence and temperature is crucial. Instruments utilizing the inverse time measurement technique are addressed, focusing on the measurement of one-, two-, or three-dimensional wind vectors and the corresponding sonic temperature.

By establishing consistent practices for sensor installation, alignment, calibration, data gathering, and data processing, ASTM D5527-23 ensures reliable and comparable results in the study of the atmospheric boundary layer and related turbulence.

Key Topics

• Instrument Selection and Calibration

  • Use of sonic anemometer/thermometers for field measurements of wind and temperature
  • System calibration in zero wind chambers and regular alignment checks

• Installation and Environmental Considerations

  • Proper mounting over horizontal, open terrain, typically at 10 meters above ground
  • Avoidance of flow obstructions, extraneous noise, and proximity to the ground or reflective surfaces

• Data Collection and Processing

  • User-defined sampling rates and periods for gathering statistically stable data
  • Calculation of mean wind speed, direction, scalar and vector components, variances, covariances, and turbulence intensities
  • Data corrections for transducer shadowing and array tilt

• Measurement Technique

  • Use of the inverse time measurement technique to derive wind velocity and speed of sound
  • Conversion of speed of sound to sonic temperature, accounting for atmospheric properties

• Quality Assurance

  • Regular system performance checks and examination for noise, spikes, or alignment faults
  • Adherence to data selection periods to avoid wind direction trends

Applications

The practices in ASTM D5527-23 are widely applicable in fields that require precise measurement and analysis of atmospheric conditions:

• Meteorological Research

  • Characterizing turbulence and boundary layer processes
  • Supporting studies of atmospheric heat and momentum fluxes, eddy correlation, and climatology

• Environmental Monitoring

  • Collecting wind and temperature data for air quality and dispersion modeling
  • Regulatory compliance applications for ambient air monitoring at industrial and research sites

• Wind Energy and Siting Studies

  • Assessing wind resources and turbine site suitability through detailed wind profile measurements

• Agricultural and Forestry Meteorology

  • Evaluating microclimate conditions that affect crop growth and forest management

• Urban and Regional Planning

  • Supporting urban microclimate studies and infrastructure design where wind characteristics impact safety and comfort

Related Standards

Users of ASTM D5527-23 often reference additional documents for a comprehensive approach to atmospheric measurement:

• ASTM D1356 – Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• ASTM D3631 – Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Pressure
• ASTM D4230 – Test Method for Measuring Humidity with Cooled-Surface Condensation (Dew-Point) Hygrometer
• ASTM E337 – Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psychrometer
• IEEE/ASTM SI-10 – American National Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System

By following ASTM D5527-23 and related standards, professionals ensure accurate, repeatable, and internationally recognized wind and temperature measurements for a broad range of scientific and regulatory applications.