Inverse structure functions.
While the ordinary structure function in turbulence is concerned with the statistical moments of the velocity increment Deltau measured over a distance r , the inverse structure function is related to the distance r where the turbulent velocity exits the interval Deltau. We study inverse structure functions of wind-tunnel turbulence which covers a range of Reynolds numbers Re(lambda) = 400-1100. We test a recently proposed relation between the scaling exponents of the ordinary structure functions and those of the inverse structure functions [S. Roux and M. H. Jensen, Phys. Rev. E 69, 16309 (2004)]. The relatively large range of Reynolds numbers in our experiment also enables us to address the scaling with Reynolds number that is expected to highlight the intermediate dissipative range. While we firmly establish the (relative) scaling of inverse structure functions, our experimental results fail both predictions. Therefore, the question of the significance of inverse structure functions remains open.
Pearson
Bruce R
BR
Physics Department, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
van de Water
Willem
W