The effects of the laminar/turbulent boundary layer states on the development of a plane mixing layer

The effect, of the laminar/turbulent boundary layer state on the mean and rms velocities of a developing plane mixing layer, has been investigated. The maximum Ux/nu allowed by the facility was 6.7 x 100.000; the maximum x station surveyed corresponds to approximately 2000 and 700 initial momentum thicknesses for the laminar and turbulent cases respectively. The use of commonly accepted non-dimensional representations of the data confirm (at least) an approximately self-preserving condition. They also suggest that the effects of the laminar/turbulent initial condition persist in the self-preserving region. A direct comparison of the data reveals that the persistence so observed is illusory. An interpretation of the reason for this misunderstanding is advanced.