The asymptotic development of nearly homogeneous turbulent shear flow

Turbulent flows with uniform mean velocity gradients and transversely homogeneous statistical features have been generated in a specially designed wind-tunnel. Values of the mean shear in the range 13.4 to 84 per sec were achieved by adjusting the centerline speed and by inserting grids of different mesh sizes. In all cases, the components of the dimensionless Reynolds stress tensor attained quasi-universal asymptotic values, while the Reynolds stresses and the turbulent kinetic energy grew exponentially downstream. The present data as well as previous ones are utilized in a search for universal asymptotic features of a uniformly sheared turbulence.