Quantifying equilibrium pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers via a symmetry approach

Abstract

We propose a theory for predicting the mean velocity and Reynolds shear and normal stresses profiles in the wake region of equilibrium adverse pressure-gradient (PG, APG) turbulent boundary layers (TBLs). Firstly, we explore the PG-induced dilation-symmetry-breaking of the total stress $\tau^+$ to construct a modified defect power law for $\tau^+$. Crucially, a PG stress $P_0^+$ is identified, which quantifies the APG-induced total-stress overshoot and is proportional to the Clauser PG parameter $\beta$. The wall-normal location with peak stress is predicted. The total stress profiles with arbitrary $\beta$ are transformed into an invariant profile, which is the ultimate state of the total stress at infinite $\beta$. This transformation is equivalent to the outer scaling of the Reynolds shear stress recently-proposed by Wei & Knopp (JFM, 2023). The Reynolds normal stresses are predicted accordingly based on the similarity of the Reynolds shear and normal stresses in the wake region. Secondly, a defect power law is proposed for the stress and kinetic energy lengths in the wake region. Two critical parameters in the defect power law are identified to depend on $\beta$ and determine the length profiles. With the total stress and stress length models, the streamwise mean-velocity profile is predicted. Especially, an invariant mean velocity profile is derived, which describes the ultimate state of the mean velocity in the wake region at infinite $\beta$. This invariant profile is also equivalent to the outer scaling of Wei & Knopp. The theory also predicts the variation of the Coles' wake parameter $\Pi$ with $\beta$, in close agreement with the empirical relation that correlates hundreds of experimental data. The predictions are validated with five published DNS, LES, and experimental databases on the equilibrium APG TBLs.