Empirical Spectral Model of Surface Pressure Fluctuations

Abstract

An empirical model of the surface pressure spectrum beneath a two-dimensional, zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer is presented that is based on the experimental surface pressure spectra measured by seven research groups. The measurements cover a large range of Reynolds number, 1.4 × 10 3 < Reθ < 2.34 × × 10 4 . The model is a simple function of the ratio of the timescales of the outer to inner boundary layer. It incorporates the effect of Reynolds number through the timescale ratio and compares well to experimental data. It is proposed that the effect of Reynolds number is more aptly described as the effect of the range of relevant scales. Spectral features of the experimental data and the scaling behavior of the surface pressure spectrum are also discussed.