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Turbulent Flow

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Turbulent flow is characterized by unpredictable fluctuations in velocity and pressure, which result in a chaotic fluid movement distinct from the orderly patterns of laminar flow. While laminar flow is governed by smooth, parallel layers with minimal mixing, turbulent flow exhibits highly irregular, three-dimensional patterns. This behavior arises due to instabilities in the fluid's velocity profile, and amplifies as the flow velocity increases. Minor disturbances, known as turbulent spots,...

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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Visualization of Flow Field Around a Vibrating Pipeline Within an Equilibrium Scour Hole

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Published on: August 26, 2019

Turbulent flow in smooth and rough pipes.

J J Allen¹, M A Shockling, G J Kunkel

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences

|January 25, 2007

Summary

New research reveals complex scaling in smooth and rough pipe flow, challenging traditional models. Findings include a new friction factor relationship and support for outer-layer similarity hypotheses in turbulent flows.

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Area of Science:

Fluid dynamics
Turbulence research
Experimental fluid mechanics

Background:

Traditional pipe flow models, like the Moody diagram, assume monotonic friction factor relationships.
Previous understanding of smooth and rough pipe flow scaling may be incomplete.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate complex scaling behaviors in smooth and rough pipe flows.
To develop new friction factor relationships and validate turbulence hypotheses.

Main Methods:

Experiments conducted on smooth and honed rough pipes.
Analysis of pressure gradients, velocity profiles, and turbulence intensities.
Outer-layer scaling and spectral analysis of flow data.

Main Results:

A new friction factor relationship for smooth pipes was identified.
Velocity profiles showed power-law and logarithmic regions.
Rough pipe flow exhibited an inflectional friction factor relationship in the transitionally rough regime.
Outer-layer similarity hypothesis was supported for rough-walled flows.

Conclusions:

The study reveals more complex scaling in pipe flow than previously understood.
New findings challenge the traditional Moody diagram for certain flow regimes.
A generalized transition from smooth to fully rough flow was proposed based on experimental data.