An experimental study of the effects of rapid rotation on turbulence

The effects of rotation on grid turbulence were studied in a low speed tunnel. Results are presented for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric flows. As observed by previous workers, the cascade process was seen to be effectively blocked by rotation leading to reduced dissipation. In the non-axisymmetric case, rotation caused the flow to tend rapidly towards axisymmetry; however, for the length studied, the flow tended to move away from isotropy. Based on the results, some recommendations are made on the design of a larger facility for studying similar flows.