Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 June 2016
If two small fences are arranged approximately at right angles in plan view, the magnitude and direction of surface shear stress can be deduced from measurements of the pressure difference across each fence. Fence heights as small as 0.05 mm are easily achieved. The device is simpler to use than null-seeking arrangements, and is accurate even in the presence of strong pressure gradients, which are shown to have large effects on other types of surface obstacle in three-dimensional flow.