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The characteristics of a turbulent boundary layer overlying a complex roughness topography were explored with stereo particle-image velocimetry measurements in the wall-normal–spanwise plane. The roughness under consideration was replicated from a turbine blade damaged by deposition of foreign materials containing a broad range of topographical scales arranged in a highly irregular manner. The single-point turbulence statistics displayed strong spanwise heterogeneity, in particular spanwise-alternating low- and high-momentum flow pathways in the mean flow marked by enhanced Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy. The spanwise regions between high- and low-momentum flow pathways were occupied by swirling motions, suggesting the generation and sustainment of turbulent secondary flows due to the spanwise heterogeneity of the complex roughness under consideration. Similar …