Some measurements of multi-point time correlations in grid turbulence

Abstract

Three-point odd-order correlations and four-point even-order correlations of the longitudinal velocity fluctuations in grid-generated turbulence have been measured using linearized hot-wire anemometry, digital sampling, and a high-speed digital computer. The measured correlations are compared with relations between higher-order correlations corresponding to non-Gaussian Gram-Charlier joint probability densities for three and four variables. The fourth-order, three-point Gram-Charlier distribution accurately describes the relation between measured odd-order three-point correlations. The measured fourth-order even-order correlations may be accurately predicted from the two-point correlation using Millionshtchikov's joint-Gaussian hypothesis, except for small values of the separations. The disagreement at small separations cannot be reduced through use of the Gram-Charlier approximation.