Abstract
The structural characteristics of turbulent natural-convection boundary layer in air along a vertical heated plate have been experimentally investigated. Through the velocity measurement with a particle image velocimetry, the relation between turbulent statistics and large-scale fluid motions in the outer layer of the boundary layer is discussed in detail, especially paying attention to the behavior of Reynolds shear stress, and it is found that the large-scale eddies, which control the structure of the outer layer, contribute largely to the production of turbulent energy. In addition, the change in the maximum velocity location due to flow windings observed in the whole visualized region may lead to the peculiar profile of the Reynolds shear stress.
