NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME 2135/ME2135E: FLUID MECHANICS II

TUTORIAL 4
Viscous Flows: Boundary Layer Theory
Defined on 20 Mar 2017
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You are advised to start the exercise right away instead of leaving this to the end. Some of these questions will be
discussed in tutorial sessions for enhancing concept learning and appreciation of flow models
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PART 1

6. Several guessed velocity profiles for using the von Karman Integral method to estimate boundary
layer properties have been shown in VD-BLT_M2 set of slides. Some of these guessed velocity
profiles are as follows:

u u
(a) a b (b) a b c 2
U U
u u
(c) a b c 2 d 3 (d) a b c 2 d 3 +e 4
U U
u
( e) a sin b c
U
where a, b, c, d and e are constants to be determined from boundary conditions.

Considering a uniform flow past a flat plate with zero pressure gradient, compare how well these

velocity profiles predict the various boundary layer properties such as where is the local
x
boundary layer thickness at location x from the leading edge of the plate displacement thickness,
momentum thickness, form factor, shear stress at the wall, distribution of shear stress and vorticity
inside the boundary layer by comparing the estimates with those from Blasius solution.

For all the given velocity profiles determine the unknown constants by applying the boundary conditions
at the wall and also at the edge of the boundary layer i.e.
u
d2
u
0 and U 0 at y 0
U y
2

d

u u
d d2
1 , 0 and U 0 at y 1
u U
U y y
2

d d

1
 u u
(a) a b (c) a b c 2 d 3
U U
u u
0 at 0 a 0 0 at 0 a 0
U U
u u
1 , at 1 b 1 1 at 1 b c d 1 (c.1)
U U
u
u
d
U U 0 at 1
y
d

b 2c 3d 2 0 b 2c 3d 0 (c.2)
1
u u
(b) a b c 2 d2
U U 0 at 0 2c 6d 0
u y
2 0
d d
U b 2c
y c0
d
Hence from (c.1) b d 1 (c.3)
u
0 at 0 a 0 from (c.2) b 3d (c.4)
U
1 3
u Putting (c.4) in (c.3) d and from (c.4) b
1 , at 1 b c 1 b 1 c 2 2
U u
3 2
U 2
u
d
U b 2c 0 at 1 b 2c u
y (e) a sin b c
d U
u
Hence it follows that c 1 and b 2 0 at 0 a sin 0 c 0 c 0
U
u
2 2 u
U 1 at 1 b c d 1 a sin b =1
U
u
d
U 0 at 1 ab cos b 0 b
y 2
d


hence a sin =1 a 1
2
u
sin
U 2

2
 u
(d ) a b c 2 d 3 +e 4
U
y

u
d
U b 2c 3d 2 4e 3
d
u
d2
U 2c 6d 12e 2
d 2

u
0 at 0 a 0
U
u
1 at =1 b c d e 1 (d.1)
U

u
d
U 0 at 1 b 2c 3d 4e 0 (d.2)
d

u
d2
U 0 at 0 2c 6d 12e 2 c 0
d 2
u
d2
U 0 at 1 16d 12 0 d 2
d 2
Putting c 0 and d 2 in (d.1) and (d.2)
b 2 e 1
b 6 4e 0
It follows that b 2 and e 1
u
2 2 3 + 4
U

You may use these velocity profiles to compute displacement and momentum thickness and then
use the von Karmans momentum integral equation to estimate shear stress for zero pressure
gradient flows. Here we develop expressions for boundary layer thickness and wall shear stress
from von-Karmans momentum integral equation on the flat plate immersed in zer0-pressure
gradient flow. These expressions can be used to compare the various velocity profiles.

3
 1
u u u u
Momentum Thickness = (1 )dy (1 )d K1
0
U U 0
U U
1
where K1 f 1 f d and noting that
y
0

von Karman's Momentum Integral Equation for zero pressure gradient flow:
0 d 0 d
K1
U dx
2
U 2
dx
u du
0
y y 0
dy y 0

u
d
u du U U U df
Since f , it follows that
U dy y d
d

du U df U df
0 K 2 where K 2
dy y 0
d 0 d 0

U
K2
d d K 2 U
K1 which can be re-written as
U 2
dx dx K1 U 2
K U
d 2 dx
K1 U 2
K U
Integrating both sides of the equation i.e. d 2
K1 U 2
dx leads to

2 K2 x
C1
2 K1 U
Assuming that =0 at x 0 for the flat plate immersed in zero-pressure gradient flow, C1 0
2 K2 x 2K2 x
gives you the boundary layer thickness on the flat plate
2 K1 U K1 U
U U
0 K2 0 2 K gives you the wall shear stress on the flat plate
U U 2 2
1

0 K1 K 2 U x
1
df u
where K1 f 1 f d and K 2
2
and f
U 2
2 0
d 0 U

4
You can either work from first principles for each velocity profile as shown or use the expressions
developed above for any general velocity profile for zero pressure gradient flat plate boundary
layer. If you choose the latter you are required show the expressions developed above for
completeness.

6(a ) 6(a )
u y u y
= =
U U
2K2 x Momentum thickness is defined as:

K1 U u u
1

= (1 )dy (1 )d

1 U U 6
0 K1 K 2 U x
0 0
2
von Karman momentum integral relation:
U 2
2
U 2 d u U (u / U ) U
1
w | y 0
where K1 f 1 f d and 6 dx y ( y / )
0
d 6
df u
K2 and f dx U
d 0 U
2 6
d( ) dx
f 2 U
1 By integrating we find
1 1
2 3 1 1 1
K1 f 1 f d d
2
2 6
0 0 2 3 0 2 3 6 xc
2 U
df
K2 1 at x=0, =0 hence c =0
d 0
2K2 x x 12 x 3.46 x
12
3.46 U x
where Re x
K1 U U Re x U Re x

1

1
U U 0.289 U 2
0 K1 K 2 U x 2 1 U x 2 0.289 w
= 3.46 x Re x
U 2
2 12 Re x
Re x
0 0.577
Local Skin friction coefficient: C f
1 Re x
U 2
2

5
6(b) f 2 2 6(b)
1 1
u
K1 f 1 f d 2 2 1 2 2 d 2 2
0 0 U
1
K1 2 4 2 2 3 2 2 3 4 d
Momentum thickness is defined as:

2
1
u u
= )dy (2 2 )(1 2 2 )d
0
1 (1
4 2 1 1 5 2 U U 15
K1 2 3 4 3 4 0 0

3 4 3 2 5 0 15 von Karman momentum integral relation:

K2
df
2 2 0 2 2 U 2 d u U (u / U ) 2 U
d 0
w | y 0
15 dx y ( y / )
2K2 x x 5.48 U x d 15
30 where Re x
K1 U U Re x dx U

0 K1 K 2 U x

1
2 U x

1
2 15

2 2

0.365 d( ) dx
= U
U 2
2 15 Re x 2
0 0.73 By integrating we find
Local Skin friction coefficient: C f
1
U 2 Re x 2 15
xc
2 2 U
at x 0, 0 hence c 0
30 x 5.48 x

U Re x
2 U 2 U 0.365 U 2
w
5.48 x Re x
Re x

6

f 3 2 3
u 3 1 6(c)
6(c)
U 2 2 2 u 3 3

df 3 3 U 2 2
2
d 2 2 Momentum thickness is defined as:
1

K1 f 1 f d u u
0
= (1 )dy
0
U U
3 1 3 1
1
K1 3 1 3 d = 1
3 3 3 3 39
0
2 2 2 2 = ( )(1 )d
2 2 2 2 280
3 1
1 0
9 3 1 3
K1 2 4 3 4 6 d von Karman momentum integral relation:
0
2 4 4 2 4 4
39 U 2 d u
w
1
3 3 3 1 3 1 | y 0
K1 2 3 5 4 5 7 280 dx y
4 4 20 8 20 28 0
3 1 1 39 u U (u / U ) 3U
K1 | y 0
10 8 28 280 y ( y / ) 2
3 3 d 140
K2
df
= 2
3
d 0 2 2 0 2 dx 13U
2K2 x 280 x 2 140

4.64 U x
where Re x d( ) dx
K1 U 13 U Re x 2 13U

1

1 By integrating we find
0 K1 K 2 U x 2 39 3 U x 2 0.323
= 2 140
U 2
2 280 4 Re x xc
2 13U
0
0.646
Local Skin friction coefficient: C f at x 0, 0 hence c 0
1 Re x
U 2
2 280 x 4.64 x

13U Re x
3U 3U 0.323U 2
w
2 2 4.64 x Re x
Re x

7
 u 6(d )
6(d) 2 2 3 + 4
U u
2 2 3 4
df U
2 6 2 4 3
d Momentum thickness is defined as:
1

K1 f 1 f d =
u
(1
u
) dy
0
0
U U
1
K1 2 2 3 + 4 1 2 2 4 d 37
3 1

0
(2 2 3 4 )(1 2 2 3 4 ) d
0
315
1
2 4 2 4 4 2 5 2 3 4 4 ...
K1 d
8
Von karman momentum integral formula:
0 .. 4 2 2 2
6 7 4 5 7

37 U 2 d u U (u / U ) 2 U
1
w | y 0
K1 2 4 2 2 3 9 4 4 5 4 6 4 7 8 d 315 dx y ( y / )
d 630
0

4 2 9 4 4 4 1
1

K1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 dx 37 U
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
2 630
4 2 9 4 4 4 1 37
K1 1 d( ) dx
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 315 2 37 U
By integrating we find
= 2 6 2 4 3
df
K2 2
d 0 0
2 630
xc
2K2 x 1260 x 5.84 U x 2 37 U
where Re x
K1 U 37 U Re x at x=0, =0 hence c=0

0

1
1260 x 5.83 x

37 U x 2

0.343
37 U
U 2
315 Re x Re x
0 0.686 2 U 2 U 0.343U 2
Local Skin friction coefficient: C f w
1
U 2 Re x 5.83 x Re x
2 Re x

8
6(e) 6(e)
u u
sin sin( )
U 2 U 2
df Momentum thickness is defined as:
cos
d 0 2 2 0 2
u u
= (1 )dy

1 1
K1 f 1 f d = sin 1 sin d 0
U U
2 2
0 0 1
2 1
1
= (sin( ))(1 sin( )) d ( )
K1 sin sin 2 d 0
2 2 2
0 2 2
von Karman momentum integral relation:
1
sin 2 1 cos 2 1 d u
2 2 w ( ) U 2 | y 0
2 dx y
1
1
K1 sin 1 cos d U (u / U ) U
0 2 2 w cos( )
1 ( y / ) 2 2
2 1
K1 cos sin d 11.49
2 2 2 0
dx U
2 1 1 2 0 1
K1 cos sin cos 0 sin 0 2 11.49
2 2 2 2 2 d( ) dx
2 U
1 2 2 1
K1
2 2 By integrating we find
df 2 11.49
K2 cos xc
d 0 2 2 0 2 2 U
2K2 x 2 2 x 4.79 U x at x=0, =0 hence c =0
where Re x
K1 U 4 U Re x 22.98 x 4.79 x


1

1 U Re x
0 K1 K 2 U x 2 4 U x 2 0.328
U
U 2
2 8 Re x w cos( )
0 0.656
2 2
Local Skin friction coefficient: C f U 0.328 U 2
1
U 2 Re x w cos( )
2 4.79 x 2 2 Re x
Re x

Revisit Problems 1 and 2 and complete these: Now use the 1/7th power law turbulent boundary
layer velocity profile in the von Karman Integral Momentum Equation to estimate boundary layer
thickness, turbulent wall shear stress and displacement thickness. Use this in problem 1 and 2 to
estimate the turbulent boundary layer properties from transition point to trailing edge of the flat
surfaces as the Reynolds number is turbulent at the trailing edge.

9
Using the 1 / 7th power law velocity profile in the turbulent boundary layer i.e.
1/7
u y y
1/7 where
U

u u u u
1
calculate the momentum thickness = 1 dy 1 d K1
0
U U 0
U U
1
where K1 f 1 f d and f 1/7
0

d 78 8/7 79 9/7 772

1 1 1

K1 1/7
1 d
1/7 1/7
2/7

0 0 0

7

72
Now put this in the von-Karman Integral Momentum Equation to get
0 d 7 d
02
U 2
dx U 72 dx

How to define the shear stress on the wall for turbulent flows? Usually an expression
for this will be given and one way is to use the correlated wall shear stess for turbulent flow i.e.,
1
0 4
0.0225
U 2
U
1
4 7 d
0.0225
U 72 dx
d 72
1/ 4 1/ 4
72
1/ 4
0.0225 d dx where = 0.0225
1/ 4

dx 7 U 7 U
x
Integrating both sides : 1/ 4 d dx
0
4/5
4 5/ 4 5
4/5
5 72
1/ 4

x x 0.0225 x 4/5
5 4 4 7 U


1/5 1/5

0.370 x 4/5 0.370 x

U Ux

1/5
0.370 x
Turbulent boundary layer thickness growth along the plate : 0.370 x
Ux Re1/5
x

4 0.0225 Re x
1 1
1/5 1 1/ 4
0 4 Re1/5 0.0288
0.0225 0.0225
x

U 2 U 0.370
1/ 4
0.370Ux Re1/5
x

0.0288
Turbulent Wall Shear Stress: 0 1/5
U 2
Re x

10
Now these relations can be used to address the turbulent boundary layers in Question 1 and 2 as
follows:

1. Estimate the power required to move a 15 m. long and 4 m wide flat plate, in oil at 4 m/sec,
under the following cases:

b) Transition to turbulence occurs at Reynolds number 3 105 and the plate is smooth.
c) The boundary layer is turbulent over the entire plate which is smooth.
U p
d) The boundary layer is turbulent over the entire rough plate with 103 where p is the

plate roughness factor. You may assume that the density and kinematic viscosity of oil is 800
kg/m3 and 30 10-5 m2/s respectively.

U L 15 4
(b) Re 2 105
30 105
As this Re is below the transition Reynolds number we can simply use
Blasius Laminar Flat Plate results for the entire length of the plate. Hence
results from Part 1(a) applies.

Parts (c) and (d) uses the chart below for estimating drag coefficients on the flat plate

11
(c) If the flat plate is smooth and the boundary layer is turbulent then
from the chart we read off the drag coefficient from the curve
corresponding to smooth plate corresponding to Re 2 105
i.e. CD 0.0057

For the given problem: L 15 m, W = 4 m, U 4 m/s

800 kg/m3 and =30 105 m 2 /s
Plate area S LW 60 m 2
1
Power to Drive the Plate through the Fluid DU U 3 SCD
2
1
Power 800 4 60 0.0057
3

2
Power 8.76 kW

U p
(d) For the rough plate it is given that 103 and since U 4 m/s and =30 10 5

5
10 30 10
3
p 7.5 102
4
L 15
Since L 15 m it follows that the ratio 100 200
p 7.5
L
From the chart we read off the drag coefficient from the curve corresponding to the rough plate with 200
p
and corresponding to Re 2 105
i.e. CD 0.0133
1
Power 800 4 60 0.0133
3

2
Power 20.42 kW

12
2. Find the frictional drag on the top and sides of a box-shaped moving van 2.4 m wide, 3.0 m
high, and 10.5 m long traveling at 100 km/h through air which has a kinematic viscosity of
1.4 10-5 m2/s. Assume that the vehicle has a rounded nose so that the flow does not separate
from the top and side and that a turbulent boundary layer starts immediately at the leading
edge. Also, find the thickness of the boundary layer and the shear stress at the trailing edge.
What will be the corresponding values if you assume laminar boundary layer to begin from
the leading edge and the transition Reynolds number is 5 105.

(a) Use the chart and power law velocity profile in the turbulent boundary layer to estimate shear
stress at the wall (see details in page 10 of this document)

1/5
0.370 x
Turbulent boundary layer thickness growth along the plate : 0.370 x
Ux Re1/5
x

0.0288
Turbulent Wall Shear Stress: 0 U 2
Re1/5
x

0 0.0577
Local Skin Friction coeffiient: C f
1
U 2 Re1/5
x
2
Given: 3 plates consisting of 2 side plates 10.5 m 3 m and a top plate 10.5 m 2.4 m
Speed U =100 km/h= 100 1000 / 60 60 27.8 m/s
=1.4 105 m 2 /s and density of air at sea-level is 1.225 kg/m 3 , L =10.5 m
27.8 10.5
Re= 208 105 2.1 107
1.4 105
Boundary Layer Thickness at the trailing edge of the plates:
0.370 L 0.370 10.5
0.13 m or 13 cm
2.1107
1/5
Re1/5
x

Shear Stress at the trailing edge of the plates

0 0.0288 0.0288
9.88 104
U 2.1 10
7 1/5
2 1/5
Re x

0 9.88 104 U 2 9.88 104 1.225 27.8 0.936 N/m 2

2

0.0577 0.0577
Local Skin Friction coeffient: C f 0.00198
2.1107
1/5 1/5
Re x

13

1/5
0.370 x
Turbulent boundary layer thickness growth along the plate : 0.370 x
Ux Re1/5
x

0.0288
Turbulent Wall Shear Stress: 0 U 2
Re1/5
x

0 0.0577
Local Skin Friction coeffiient: C f
1
U 2 Re1/5
x
2
Total resistance on a flat plate of length L and unit width
L
F 0 dx
0

1/5
1 0.0577 1 0.0577
0 U 2 1/5
U 2 1/5
2 Re x 2 x U
1/5
L 1 L
F 0 dx U 2 0.0577 x 1/5 dx
0
2 U 0

1/5 1/5
1 5 4/5 1 2
F U 2 0.0577 L U 0.072 L
2 U 4 2 U L
Average Skin Friction Coefficient per unit width on a plate of length L
F 0.072
Cf 1/5
1
U 2 L Re L
2
1 1 0.072
Drag on a Flat plate of length L and width W , D = U 2 LC f W U 2 S
2 2 Re1/5
L

S LW
Total area of the 2 side plates and top plate of the truck: (2 3+2.4) 10.5=88.2 m 2
Re L 2.1 107
1 0.072
Total frictional drag on the truck = 1.225 27.82 88.2 103.17N
2.1107
1/5
2

14
 b What will be the corresponding values if you assume laminar boundary layer to begin from the
leading edge and the transition Reynolds number is 5105.

Here calculate Reynolds number at trailing edge. Check if it is turbulent or laminar.

If turbulent find transition point using Transition Reynolds Number for a flat plate.
Re L 2.1107
Transition Re is given as 5 105
5x
Blasius' Laminar boundary layer thickness laminar
Re x
5 105
Re xtransition
U xtransition

5 10 xtransition
5

U
5 10 1.4 10 27.8 0.252 m
5 5

From leading edge to transition point xtransition =0.252 m estimate the laminar drag based on
Blasius Zero Pressure Gradient Laminar Boundary Layer on a Flat Plate result for shear stress .
i.e.:
The average resistance per unit width of the plate of length xtransition
xtransition xtransition 1.4 105 0.252
Flaminar w dx 0.664 U 2 0.664 1.225 27.82 0.224 N/m
0 U 27.8
Total width covering 2 side plates and top plate= 2 3 2.4 8.4 m
Drag from the laminar portion of the plate = 0.224 8.4 = 1.88 N

Then from transition point to trailing edge use turbulent boundary layer results to estimate
turbulent drag per unit width of the plate
1/5
L 1 L
Ftubulent 0 dx U 2 0.0577 x 1/5 dx
xtransition
2
U xtransition

1/5
1 5 4/5
U 2 0.0577 L xtransition
4/5
Fturbulent
2 U 4

1 1/5
1/5
1 L
2 2 x
Fturbulent U 0.072 L x U 0.072 1/5 transition
2 U L U xtransition
transition
2 Re L Re1/5
xtransition
1 WL Wx
If width of the plate is W then drag from turbulent portion= U 2 0.072 1/5 transition
2 Re L Re1/5
xtransition

15
Drag from the turbulent part of the plate from xtransition to end of the plate at x L :
1 2
WL WLxtransition 1 2
1 x
U 0.072 1/5 U 0.072WL 1/5 transition
2


2 Re L L Re1/5
xtransition Re L L Re1/5
xtransition
Note that S WL 88.2 m 2

1 1 0.252
1.225 27.82 88.2 0.072

2 2.1 107 1/5 10.5 5 105 1/5

3006.054 0.0343 0.00174 97.88 N

Total drag from laminar and turbulent regions on the plates: 97.88 + 1.88=99.76 N

16
7. Air enters in the entry region of a square duct which delivers flow into a test section of a wind
tunnel of the same cross-sectional area. The velocity at the inlet to the duct is 30 m/s. A model is
placed at a section 0.3 m downstream of the inlet, measurements revealed that the displacement
thickness on each wall is around 1.0 mm and the pressure change from the inlet to this section is 59
N/m2. Assuming that the density of air is 1.23 kg/m3, estimate the dimensions of the duct and
estimate the velocity of air at this section which is seen by the model in the test section.

The boundary layer will grow on all the 4 walls of the test section of
the wind tunnel. Outside the boundary layer the flow is modelled as an inviscid flow
and hence from the Euler equation
dU 1 dp
U
dx dx
d U 2 1 dp

dx 2 dx
2
U L2 p pL U 2 assuming the test section is horizontal

where U and p are the uniform velocity and pressure at the entrance to
the test section where the boundary layer starts to grow
andU L and pL are the uniform velocity outside the boundary layer and pressure
at distance L from the entrance where the model is placed.
It is given that p pL 59 N/m 2 , U 30 m/s
2 2 (59)
UL p pL U 2 900 31.56 m/s
1.23
Assume that square test section has a edge length l
As mass is conserved between the entrance and at the end of distance L from the entrance
the cross sectional area at the entrance is l 2 .
The cross-sectional area at the station x L where the model sees the flow is diminished
because of the boundary layer thickness. Hence a good estimate of this area will be
(l 2 dis ) 2 where dis is the displacement thickness.
Conservation of Mass or Continuity Eqn l 2 U (l 2 dis ) 2 U L
As dis is given as 1mm it follows from this equation that l 79.91 mm

The test section has a square cross section of 80 80 mm 2

17
8. The drag coefficient of a circular cylinder of diameter D normal to the flow at speed U expressed
1
as (Drag per unit length) / U 2 D is 1.1 over the Reynolds number range 103-105. For a speed of
2
30 m/s, find the diameter of the cylinder with drag per unit length equal to that of both sides of a
rectangular plate 5 m long by 1 m wide and aligned parallel to the direction of U. Considering the
difference in the wetted areas of the two surfaces, explain how you would account for the
difference in drag/m between the cylinder and the flat plate?

It is given that for a cylinder diameter D and length L

1
U 2CD DL / L
Drag per unit length / U 2 D 1.1 i.e. 2 1
1
CD given for cylinder 1.1
2 U 2 D
2
Fd / w
It is required that 1.0
1
U CD D
2

2
where Fd / w is the drag from both sides of a flat plate per unit width and length l

Now calculate Fd /w for a flat plate considering both sides of the flat plate.

Compute Reynolds number to check if the flow is turbulent:

Ul 30 5
Re at the trailing edge of the flat plate = = 1.07 107
1.4 10 5

hence, the flow on the flat plate is turbulent at the trailing edge.

Assuming turbulent from from the leading edge of the plate, read friction coefficient from the table/chart
based on the 1/7 th power law velocity profile and empirical correlations
0.027
C f ,x
(Re x )1/7
Here we assume that the turbulent flow starts at the leading edge. (Other scenarios
include locating transition point on the plate and using laminar and turbulent skin friction
formulae before and after the transition point respectively.)

18
Since both sides of the plate have boundary layers and they are symmetrical since plate is
at zero angle of attack,
2
1/7 5 1/7 5
7 6/7
5
1 0.027
Fd / w 2 U 2 C f , x dx U 2 0 x1/7 dx 0.027 U U 6 x 0
2 0 U
1/7
1 1.4 105 7 6/7 1
U 2 5 0.027 U (0.0312)
2

2 30 3 2
Now substitute this value for the drag on the cylinder
Fd / w 0.0312
1.0 1.0
1 CD D
U 2CD D
2
0.0312 0.0312
D= 0.0284m
CD 1.1
giving an estimate for the diameter as D =0.0284 m or D 2.84 cm

Drag/wetted area in cylinder is higher than flat plate due to form drag because of flow separation
leading to increase in form drag. The drag on the flat plate is all skin-friction drag. The drag on
the cylinder is a combinantion of skin-friction drag and form drag.

19
9. A one parameter family velocity profile in the boundary layer is defined as
u
1 e K 1 e sin for the range 0 3
U 6
u
1 e Ke for the range 3
U

y
where and K is a constant. Show that this velocity profile satisfies the boundary conditions

for the laminar boundary layer problem and hence determine the value of K and obtain estimates
for the displacement and momentum thicknesses and the shear stress on the wall and compare these
estimates with those from the solution of Blasius.

For all the given velocity profiles determine the unknown constants by applying the boundary conditions
at the wall and also at the edge of the boundary layer i.e.
u u u
d2 d d2
u
0 and U 0 at y 0 ; u 1 , U 0 and U 0 at y 1
U y
2
U y y
2

d d d

u
1 e K 1 e sin for the range 0 3
U 6
u
1 e Ke for the range 3
U
u
At =0, 1 e 0 K 1 e 0 sin 0 0
U 6
u
At =, 1 e Ke = 1 for the range 3
U
So velocity boundary conditions at the wall and edge of boundary layer are satisfied.
u 1 u U

y
e Ke 0 as
u
So the boundary condition 0 at the edge of the boundary layer is satisfied.
y
2u 1 2u U

y 2 2 2 2
e Ke 0 as
2u
So the boundary condition 0 at the edge of the boundary layer is satisfied.
y 2

20
u
1 e K 1 e sin for the range 0 3
U 6
u 1 u U
e K e cos
y 6 6
2u 1 2u U 2
e K e sin
y 2 2 2 2 6 36
At the wall since pressure gradient is not zero outside the boundary layer
2u 1 dp

y 2 y 0
dx
dp dU
Outside the boundary layer U (Euler's Eqn)
dx dx
2u 1 dp U dU
since =
y 2 y 0
dx dx
u
2
U 0 0 0 2 U U

2
e K e sin 2 1 K 2 1 K
y 2 y 0
6 36
u
2
U dU U U dU
2 1 K
y 2 y 0
dx dx

2 dU
K 1
dx

You may use this velocity profile to compute displacement and momentum thickness and then use
the von Karman momentum integral equation to estimate shear stress for a flow with a pressure
gradient. Some of you may want to do it and compare this with that from Karman-Pohlhausen
velocity profile for non-zero pressure gradient flows.

21
11. Consider a turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate and you are given information that the skin
1
friction coefficient is approximately given as 0.059 Re x

5 and that the momentum thickness is
approximately given as 0.097 where is the boundary layer thickness. Use von Karman integral

relation to generate an expression for . How does this compare with the skin friction correlations
x
th
obtained by combining the (1/7) power law with empirical data pertaining to smooth pipes in the
summary table shown on slide 36 in the lecture slides set VF-BLT Module M3?

w d
U2
dx
11 d C f , x d
U 2C f , x U 2
2 dx 2 dx
it is given that C f , x 0.059(Re x ) 1/5
1/5
d 0.059(Re x ) 1/5
0.0295 x 1/5
dx 2 U
Integrating with respect to x gives
1/5
5
0.0295 x
4/5

4 U
Since it is also given that 0.097
0.3802 x

(Re x )1/5
0.3802

x (Re x )1/5
Comparing with 1/7th power law and equating shear stress with
emperical formula we get
0.16

x (Re x )1/7

22
12. Consider a boundary layer of thickness on a two dimensional surface with a radius of
curvature R. The fluid is air and the velocity distribution in the boundary layer is given by
u
2 2 . Assuming that the streamlines in the boundary layer have the same curvature as the
U
surface, establish the equilibrium condition for the pressure and centrifugal forces and integrate to
8
show that the change in pressure p through the boundary layer is given by p U 2 where
15R
is the density of the fluid and U is the uniform free stream velocity at the edge of the boundary
layer. For =0.01 m, R=0.3 m, U= 100 m/s and with standard sea level conditions at the edge of
the boundary layer compute the change in pressure through the boundary layer. Is this small
compared to the pressure at the edge of the boundary layer?

Note: The purpose of this assignment is to show the validity of the boundary layer approximation
p
that 0 . The forces acting on a fluid element undergoing a rotation about a point about which
y
the radius of curvature is r as shown in the figure below.

A balance of forces acting on the element in the radial direction will result
in the balance of centrifugal forces and pressure force in the radial direction i.e.

dp u2
p r A p A V
dr r
A r 1 (assuming unit width in the z-direction)
V r r 1
dp u2
along the radial direction
dr r

23
The velocity profile in the boundary layer is assumed to be
u
2 2
U
In the boundary layer viscous stress terms in the radial direction are negligible
compared to the dominant viscous stress terms in the direction of the boundary layer flow
At a station on the surface where the radius of curvature is R
dp u2

dr R
U 2
2 2 dr
2
dp
R
Integrating from the wall surface to edge of the boundary layer gives
U 2 U 2
2 2 dr 4 4 4 3 d where =
1 r

2
p 2

R 0 R 0
1
U 4
2
5
U 2
4 1 8U
2
p 4 1
3

R 3 5 0 R 3 5 15 R

For 0.01 m, R 0.3 m,U 100 m / s and with standard sea level
conditions at the edge of the boundary layer
8U 2 8 1.225 100 100 0.01
p 217.8 N
15R 15 0.3
Sea-level pressure outside the edge of the boundary layer:101325 N/m 2
p 217
0.00215 0.2% of the sea level pressure
psealevel 101325

p
Hence one can see the justification for the approximation 0 in the boundary layer
y

24