An experimental study of the effects of three-dimensionality on the near wall turbulence structures using flow visualization

The effects of three-dimensionality on the turbulence producing near-wall structures over a rotating disk are examined using hydrogen bubble visualization. Laser Doppler anemometry measurements of the tangential and radial velocities indicate the flow to resemble that of an infinite disk. It was found that the crossflow acts to reduce vertical mixing during the turbulence ejection events, thus reducing the efficiency of the boundary layer in producing shear stress.This research has been sponsored by the Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences through Grants DE-FG03-86ER13608 and DE-FG03-93ER12309.