Turbulence Intensity Scaling: A Fugue

• Main Author: Nils T. Basse
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-10-01
• Series: Fluids
• Subjects: streamwise turbulence intensity definitions; princeton superpipe measurements; smooth- and rough-wall pipe flow; friction factor; computational fluid dynamics boundary conditions
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5521/4/4/180

We study streamwise turbulence intensity definitions using smooth- and rough-wall pipe flow measurements made in the Princeton Superpipe. Scaling of turbulence intensity with the bulk (and friction) Reynolds number is provided for the definitions. The turbulence intensity scales with the friction factor for both smooth- and rough-wall pipe flow. Turbulence intensity definitions providing the best description of the measurements are identified. A procedure to calculate the turbulence intensity based on the bulk Reynolds number (and the sand-grain roughness for rough-wall pipe flow) is outlined.