Experimental results are presented for turbulence intensities, correlations, skewness of u, ∂u/∂t. boundary layer growth, flatness factor of u, and intermittency for the bounded developing flow in the inlet region of a pipe (Re = 54 900). The results exhibit several unique features which are not observed for unbounded or flat plate turbulent boundary layers. A hypothetical physical mechanism accounting for the findings is offered which suggests that, for bounded flows, an exaggerated interaction occurs at the interface between the constrained core fluid and the surrounding, growing turbulent boundary layer. This hypothetical interaction mechanism could account for the nonasymptotic development of bounded flows and it is suggested that a more detailed study using interface conditioned sampling measurements is warranted.
