Ensemble (fluid mechanics)

In continuum mechanics, an ensemble is an imaginary collection of notionally identical experiments.

[1] Each member of the ensemble will have nominally identical boundary conditions and fluid properties.

The concept of ensemble is useful in thought experiments and to improve theoretical understanding of turbulence.

A good image to have in mind is a typical fluid mechanics experiment such as a mixing box.

Such a process would give results that are close to the theoretical ideal of an ensemble.