A miniature, directional surface-fence gage for three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer measurements
A new miniature (3.175 mm overall diameter) surface-fence gage was developed to measure simultaneously the magnitude and direction of wall shear stress under three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers. Two fence elements were placed orthogonal to each other on the end surface of the gage. The gage was calibrated for its directional and magnitude sensitivities. It was then tested under an axisymmetric swirling boundary layer, subject to a sudden transverse strain. The advantage of the gage was demonstrated, and excellent agreement was obtained with the results from surface oil flow interferometry and velocity field measurements. The results also compared well with numerical computations.