The streamwise velocity component in turbulent pipe flow is assessed to determine whether it exhibits asymptotic behaviour that is indicative of high Reynolds numbers. The asymptotic behaviour of both the mean velocity (in the form of the log law) and that of the second moment of the streamwise component of velocity in the outer and overlap regions is consistent with the development of spectral regions which indicate inertial scaling. It is shown that an ‘inertial sublayer’ in physical space may be considered as a spatial analogue of the inertial subrange in the velocity spectrum and such behaviour only appears for Reynolds numbers R⁺>5×10³, approximately, much higher than was generally thought.

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This Issue

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences cover image

15 March 2007

Volume 365Issue 1852

Theme Issue ‘Scaling and structure in high Reynolds number wall-bounded flows’ compiled by Beverley McKeon

Article Information

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2006.1945
Published by:Royal Society
Print ISSN:1364-503X
Online ISSN:1471-2962

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Published online16/01/2007
Published in print15/03/2007

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