Velocity probability distribution scaling in wall-bounded flows at high Reynolds numbers

Abstract

Probability density functions (PDFs) give well-rounded statistical descriptions of stochastic quantities and therefore are fundamental to turbulence. Wall-bounded turbulent flows are of particular interest given their prevalence in a vast array of applications, but for these flows the scaling of velocity probability distribution is still far from being well founded. By exploiting the self-similarity in wall-bounded turbulent flows and modeling velocity fluctuations as results of self-repeating processes, we present a theoretical argument, supported by empirical evidence, for a universal velocity PDF scaling in high-Reynolds-number wall turbulence.