Scaling of the Mean Velocity Profile for Turbulent Pipe Flow

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the scaling of the mean velocity profile for a fully developed, smooth pipe flow. Measurements of the mean velocity profiles and static pressure gradients were performed at 26 different Reynolds numbers between 31×10³ and 35×10⁶. The profiles indicate two overlap regions: one which scales as a power law and one which scales as a log law, where the log law is only evident when the Reynolds number exceeds approximately 300×10³. It is proposed that the velocity scales for the inner and outer regions are different, which is contrary to commonly accepted beliefs.