Analysis of Three Dimensional Turbulent Shear Flow Experiments with Respect to Algebraic Modeling Parameters

Abstract

The extension of the theory for two dimensional turbulent boundary layers into three dimensional flows has met with limited success. The failure of the extended models is attributed to the anisotropy of the turbulence. This is seen by the turbulent shear stress angle lagging the flow gradient angle and by the behavior of the Reynolds shear stresses lagging that of the mean flow. Transport equations for the turbulent shear stresses were proposed to be included in a modeling effort capable of accounting for the lags seen in the flow. This study is aimed at developing algebraic relationships between the various Reynolds-averaged terms in these modeling equations. Particular emphasis was placed on the triple products that appear in the transport equations. Eleven existing experimental data sets were acquired from the original authors and re-examined with respect to developed and existing parameters. A variety of flow geometries were collected for comparison. Emphasis was placed on experiments that included all six components of the Reynolds stress tensor and triple products. Parameters involving the triple products are presented that appear to maintain a relatively constant value across regions of the boundary layer. The variation of these parameters from station to station and from flow to flow is discussed. Part of this study was dedicated to parameters that were previously introduced, but never examined with respect to the data that was collected. Results of these parameters are presented and discussed with respect to agreement or disagreement with the previous results. The parameters presented will aid in the modeling of three dimensional turbulent boundary layers especially with models that employ the transport equations for the Reynolds stresses.