This paper describes an experimental investigation of the form of the large scale motions in turbulent flow. These motions have been found to be more ordered than has usually been supposed and their origin and dynamics are discussed in terms of physical models of typical eddies.

Nine components of the double velocity correlation tensor have been measured at a number of positions in the wake of a circular cylinder and in a ‘flat plate’ boundary layer. These have been supplemented by measurements of correlations with separations in directions other than the axial ones. In the wake, the correlations at large values of the separation are explained in terms of two types of large scale motion. One of these is a pair of vortices, side by side and rotating in opposite directions with axes aligned approximately normal to the plane of the wake. The other typical motion is a series of jets in which turbulent fluid is projected outward from the core of the wake. It is suggested that these are the result of an instability of the turbulent shear stress. A qualitative explanation of the apparent structural equilibrium of the wake is given in terms of this instability. The vortex pair eddies were not found in the boundary layer but there is evidence of jets much like those in the wake.

Correlations measured in grid turbulence have been found to be highly anisotropic and consistent with the presence of vortex pair eddies. When a plane strain was applied to grid turbulence, the effect on the correlations suggested the presence of a stress instability similar to that postulated for the wake.