Critique of the computational Preston tube method

The general validity of the Computational Preston Tube Method (CPM) proposed by Nitsche et al. is disputed. The method involves the determination of both the skin-friction coefficient c _f and the von Karman constant from fitting two near-wall mean velocity measurements to a generalized van Driest family of velocity profiles. It is demonstrated by a detailed examination of measured mean velocity profiles that for at least one flow situation for which success with the CPM has been claimed, the laminar-turbulent transition of a flat-plate boundary layer, the method must either fail completely or lead to non-unique results. It is concluded that the applicability of the CPM is restricted to flows for which the normal law-of-the-wall is valid.