Local isotropy in complex turbulent boundary layers at high Reynolds number

Abstract

To continue our (Saddoughi & Veeravalli 1994) tests of the local-isotropy predictions of Kolmogorov's (1941) universal equilibrium theory in shear flows, we have taken hot-wire measurements of the velocity fluctuations in complex turbulent boundary layers at several Reynolds numbers. We have studied the plane-of-symmetry flow upstream of a 4 ft diameter, 6 ft long circular cylinder placed with its axis vertical in the zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer of the test-section ceiling in the 80 ft x 120 ft Full-Scale Aerodynamics Facility at NASA Ames Research Center.