Enhancement of finite Reynolds number effects: Inner-outer sublayer interaction in the turbulent boundary layer

Residual Reynolds number effects in the established data for the velocity profile in turbulent boundary layers (and in pipe or channel flows) are found to be remarkably large. We combine two eddy-viscosity models (with overlapping validity in the inertial sublayer) and show (both analytically and numerically) that this enhancement (which involves a viscous correlation length) arises from inner-outer sublayer interaction.