Turbulent pipe flow at extreme reynolds numbers

M. Hultmark, M. Vallikivi, S. C.C. Bailey, A. J. Smits

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

287 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both the inherent intractability and complex beauty of turbulence reside in its large range of physical and temporal scales. This range of scales is captured by the Reynolds number, which in nature and in many engineering applications can be as large as 105-106. Here, we report turbulence measurements over an unprecedented range of Reynolds numbers using a unique combination of a high-pressure air facility and a new nanoscale anemometry probe. The results reveal previously unknown universal scaling behavior for the turbulent velocity fluctuations, which is remarkably similar to the well-known scaling behavior of the mean velocity distribution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number094501
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume108
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 28 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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