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3.2 Viscous Flow at High Reynolds Numbers

1) At high Reynolds numbers, the boundary layer thickness δ scales as (νx/U)1/2, where ν is the fluid's kinematic viscosity, x is the distance downstream, and U is the free stream velocity. 2) The boundary layer equations can be derived from the Navier-Stokes equations by nondimensionalizing the variables based on boundary layer scales. 3) The boundary layer approximation results in equations where the pressure is constant across the boundary layer and equals the outer inviscid flow pressure, and viscous terms balance the convective acceleration terms normal to the wall.

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24 views3 pages

3.2 Viscous Flow at High Reynolds Numbers

1) At high Reynolds numbers, the boundary layer thickness δ scales as (νx/U)1/2, where ν is the fluid's kinematic viscosity, x is the distance downstream, and U is the free stream velocity. 2) The boundary layer equations can be derived from the Navier-Stokes equations by nondimensionalizing the variables based on boundary layer scales. 3) The boundary layer approximation results in equations where the pressure is constant across the boundary layer and equals the outer inviscid flow pressure, and viscous terms balance the convective acceleration terms normal to the wall.

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Ratovoarisoa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1

Lecture Notes on Fluid Dynmics


(1.63J/2.21J)
by Chiang C. Mei, MIT

3-2Hi-Re-bl.tex

3.2 Viscous Flow at High Reynolds Numbers


Let us first give a heuristic estimates of boundary layer in steady flows.
Consider a particle near the wall to be influenced by viscosity. After traveling a distance
x from the edge, it has been under viscous influence for a time of t = x/U . Let U be large.
For finite x, t is small so that vorticity is spread sideways to the width (νt) 1/2 ∼ (νx/U )1/2 .
Let us define this width to be the boundary layer, which has thickness δ = O (νx/U ) 1/2 .
Alternatively we start from Navier-Stokes equations :
∂u ∂v
+ =0 (3.2.1)
∂x ∂y
!
∂u ∂u 1 ∂p ∂2u ∂2u
u +v =− +ν + (3.2.2)
∂x ∂y ρ ∂x ∂x2 ∂y 2
!
∂v ∂v 1 ∂p ∂2v ∂2u
u +v =− +ν + (3.2.3)
∂x ∂y ρ ∂y ∂x2 ∂y 2
When viscosity is important y = O(δ), x = O(L), convective inertia is comparable to viscous
stresses.
From continuity
u v
∼
L δ
From x−momentum

u ux ∼ ν uyy
U2 U
∼ ν 2
L δ
Therefore,
δ ∼ (νL/U )1/2 (3.2.4)
and 1/2
δ ν

∼ = Re1/2 . (3.2.5)
L UL
Shear stress on the awall :
s
τ0 ∂u U U
=ν =ν ∼ νU
ρ ∂y 0 δ νL
2

Hence the drag coefficient is,


s
τ0 ν 2
CD = 1 2 = 2 = .
2
ρU Ux Re

For water ν = 10−5 ft2 /sec. Let U = 1 ft/sec L = 1 ft, then Re = 105 . Hence,
!
δ 1 1
O ∝ √ ∼ 10−2 (δ ∼ 0.003 ft)
L Re 3
and
CD ∼ 0.003.
Experiments for flat plates (Schlichting, p. 133) show that: CD ∼ 0.002, but experiments
for a circular cylinder show that CD ≈ 0(1) because flow is separated for most Re .

3.2.1 Systematic Boundary-layer Approximation


Let u = O(U ), x = O(L), y = 0(δ). From continuity, v = O(U δ/L). Let u → U u, v →
Uδ
L
v, x → Lx, y → δy
U
(ux + vy ) = 0. (3.2.6)
L
U2 P ∂p νU νU
(uux + vuy ) = − + 2 uxx + 2 uyy . (3.2.7)
L ρL ∂x L δ
δ U2 P νU δ νU δ
(uvx + vvy ) = − py + 2 vxx + 2 vyy . (3.2.8)
L L ρδ L L δ L
From Eqn. (3.2.6)
ux + vy = 0. (3.2.9)
From Eqn. (3.2.7) !
P 1 L2
uux + vuy = − 2 px + uxx + 2 uyy . (3.2.10)
ρU Re δ
From Eqn. (3.2.8)
!
P L2 1 L2
uvx + vvy = − 2 2 py + vxx + 2 vyy . (3.2.11)
ρδ U Re δ
To keep the dominant viscous stress term in Eqn. (3.2.10), we must have
!2
δ 1 δ
= or = Re−1/2 . (3.2.12)
L Re L
From Eqn. (3.2.11) !
δ2
py = O (3.2.13)
L2
3

and from Eqn. (3.2.10)


P
uux + vuy = − px + uyy . (3.2.14)
ρU 2
In physical variables, we have to leading order

ux + v y = 0 (3.2.15)

1
uux + vuy = − px + νuyy (3.2.16)
ρ
The pressure is constant across the boundary layer and must be the same as the pressure
just outside. In the inviscid outer flow
1
U Ux + V U y = − px . (3.2.17)
ρ
Since V = 0 on the wall, px = −ρU Ux . Hence, inside the boundary layer:

uux + vuy = U Ux + νuyy . (3.2.18)

This is the classical boundary layer approximation for high Re flows, due to Prandtl
(1905).

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