Comparison of Reynolds stress diagnostics by fixed and rotating probes

The paper presents a comparison of all six terms of the Reynolds stress tensor measured in a pressure-driven three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer by two widely accepted techniques. Complete Reynolds stress tensor profiles were obtained independently for eight stations by the x-array method (Gessner, 1964) and 14 stations by the rotating-sensor method (Fujita et al., 1968). Agreement between the two methods was found to be good. Both methods measure stresses relative to local flow direction, but a simple transformation yields the stress field relative to the freestream or body coordinate system.