Reynolds number effects in a turbulent pipe flow for low to moderate Re

Abstract

We present in this paper high resolution, two-dimensional LDV measurements in a turbulent pipe flow of water over the Reynolds number range 5000–25000. Results for the turbulence statistics up to the fourth moment are presented, as well as power spectra in the near-wall region. These results clearly show that the turbulence statistics scaled on inner variables are Reynolds-number dependent in the aforementioned range of Reynolds numbers. For example, the constants in the dimensionless logarithmic mean-velocity profile are shown to vary with Reynolds number. Our conclusion that turbulence statistics depend on the Reynolds number is consistent with results found in other flow configurations, e.g., a channel flow. Our results for the pipe flow, however, lead nevertheless to quite different tendencies.