Measurements of the Reynolds-stress tensor in the three-dimensional boundary layer of an inclined body of revolution

Abstract

A four-sensor hot-wire probe was applied to turbulence measurements in the three-dimensional boundary layer on an inclined prolate spheroid model. Instantaneous velocity vectors were determined from which the three mean velocity components and the full Reynolds stress tensor could be obtained. The turbulence quantities show large deviations from equivalent two-dimensional flows on the lee-side of the model especially in the region of a three- dimensional boundary layer separation which is associated with converging wall streamlines and a considerable thickening of the boundary layer.