The onset of outer-layer self-similarity in turbulent boundary layers

In this study, changes in the mean flow of a compressible turbulent boundary layer spatially evolving from low to ‘moderate’ Reynolds numbers are examined. All discussions are based on literature data and a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a supersonic boundary layer specifically designed to be effectively free of spurious inflow effects in the range 4000 Reθ 5000, which enables discussion of sensitive properties such as the turbulent wake. Most noticeably, the DNS data show the formation of a distinct ‘bend’ in the friction coefficient distribution reflected in sudden deviation from established lowReynolds-number correlations. As will be shown, the bend is related to the surprisingly abrupt saturation of the turbulent wake, marking the change from low- to moderateReynolds-number behaviour; in previous studies, this trend was potentially obscured by data scatter in experiments and/or insufficient domain length in DNS. Moreover, the influence of the wake saturation on the formation of the early logarithmic overlap layer is assessed, which, if fully developed, leads to the onset of high-Reynolds-number behaviour further downstream.