Related Experiment Videos
Structure of the zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer.
G I Barenblatt1, A J Chorin, O H Hald
1Department of Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3840, USA.
Summary
Recent experimental data reveals that turbulent boundary layers exhibit two self-similar flow regions outside the viscous sublayer. These regions follow distinct scaling laws, consistent with pipe flow findings when using appropriate boundary layer thickness definitions.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Turbulence research
- Boundary layer theory
Background:
- Turbulent boundary layers are crucial in various engineering applications.
- Understanding the scaling laws governing these flows is essential for accurate modeling.
- Previous research suggested self-similar regions within turbulent flows.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze experimental data on zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers.
- To identify and characterize self-similar regions within the boundary layer flow.
- To investigate the Reynolds number dependence of scaling law coefficients.
Main Methods:
- Processing of recent experimental data from Nagib and Hites (1995).
- Analysis of flow behavior outside the viscous sublayer.
- Application of scaling laws to describe flow regions.
Main Results:
- The flow in a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer consists of two self-similar regions.
- Each region is described by a distinct scaling law.
- Reynolds number dependence of wall-region scaling law coefficients aligns with pipe flow results.
Conclusions:
- The turbulent boundary layer flow structure is characterized by two self-similar regions.
- Scaling laws provide a valid description for these flow regions.
- Consistency with pipe flow data validates the findings, emphasizing the importance of boundary layer Reynolds number definition.