Obtaining accurate mean velocity measurements in high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers using Pitot tubes

Abstract

Abstract This article reports on one component of a larger study on measurement of the zero-pressure-gradient turbulent flat plate boundary layer, in which a detailed investigation was conducted of the suite of corrections required for mean velocity measurements performed using Pitot tubes. In particular, the corrections for velocity shear across the tube and for blockage effects which occur when the tube is in close proximity to the wall were investigated using measurements from Pitot tubes of five different diameters, in two different facilities, and at five different Reynolds numbers ranging from Reθ = 11 100 to 67 000. Only small differences were found amongst commonly used corrections f..