Turbulent boundary layer statistics at very high Reynolds number

Abstract

Measurements are presented in zero-pressure-gradient, flat-plate, turbulent boundary layers for Reynolds numbers ranging from $\mathit{Re}_{{\it\tau}}=2600$ to $\mathit{Re}_{{\it\tau}}=72\,500$ ($\mathit{Re}_{{\it\theta}}=8400{-}235\,000$). The wind tunnel facility uses pressurized air as the working fluid, and in combination with MEMS-based sensors to resolve the small scales of motion allows for a unique investigation of boundary layer flow at very high Reynolds numbers. The data include mean velocities, streamwise turbulence variances, and moments up to 10th order. The results are compared to previously reported high Reynolds number pipe flow data. For $\mathit{Re}_{{\it\tau}}\geqslant 20\,000$, both flows display a logarithmic region in the profiles of the mean velocity and all even moments, suggesting the emergence of a universal behaviour in the statistics at these high Reynolds numbers.