A three-layer asymptotic analysis of turbulent channel flow

In the classical theory for large-Reynolds number fully developed channel flow, the solutions obtained by asymptotic-expansion techniques for the outer Karman defect layer and the inner Prandtl wall layer are demonstrated to match through the introduction of an intermediate layer based on a general intermediate limit. From an examination of the results for this general intermediate layer, the distinguished intermediate limit and the corresponding intermediate layer for which the turbulent and laminar contributions to the difference of the Reynolds stress from the wall stress are of the same order of magnitude are identified. The thickness of this distinguished intermediate layer is found to be of the order of the geometric mean of the thicknesses of the outer and inner layers.