Boundary Layer Study Notes For Mechanical Engineering

2/7/2021 Boundary Layer Study Notes for Mechanical Engineering : ESE & GATE ME
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Boundary Layer Study Notes for Mechanical Engineering
Akhil Gupta
308 upvotes 33 comments Updated : July 29th, 2020
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Introduction
Boundary layer phenomenon occurs when a uid ows over a at plate causing laminar or
turbulent ow. This topic de nes various parameters such as Energy thickness, Momentum
thickness, Boundary layer thickness etc.
Boundary layer theory
Boundary layer theory was developed by Prandtl in the year 1904.

When a real uid ows over a solid body, the velocity of uid at the boundary will be
zero. If boundary is stationary.
As we move away from boundary in perpendicular direction, velocity increases to the
free stream velocity. It means velocity gradient will exist.
Note: velocity gradient does not exist outside the boundary layer as outside the
boundary layer velocity is constant and equal to free stream velocity.
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Boundary Layer Thickness (δ): It is the distance from the boundary to the point where
velocity of uid is approximately equal to 99% of free stream velocity. It is represented by δ.
Development of Boundary Layer: Development of boundary layer can be divided in three

regions: laminar, transition, turbulent.
Boundary conditions:
(i) at y = 0, u = 0
(ii) y = δ, u = u∞
(iii) y = δ, 11-Boundary-layer_ les (1)=0
(iv) x = 0, δ = 0
Here, x is distance from leading edge in horizontal direction.
Reynolds number (Re) 11-Boundary-layer_ les (3)
For laminar boundary layer (Re)x < 5 × 105 (For at plate)
For turbulent boundary layer (Re)x > 5 × 105 (For at plate)
Displacement Thickness (δ*): It is observed that inside the boundary layer velocity of uid
is less than free stream velocity hence, discharge is less in this region. To compensate for
reduction in discharge the boundary is displaced outward in perpendicular direction by
some distance. This distance is called displacement thickness (δ*).
11-Boundary-layer_ les (7)
Momentum Thickness (δ** or θ): As due to boundary layer reduction in velocity occurs, so
momentum also decreases. Momentum thickness is de ned as the distance measured
normal to boundary of solid body by which the boundary should be displaced to
compensate for the reduction in momentum of owing uid.
Energy Thickness (δe): It is de ned as distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of

solid body by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate for reduction in
kinetic energy of owing uid (KE decreases due to formation of boundary layer)
Shape Factor(H):
It is de ned as the ratio of displacement thickness to momentum thickness.

Hence: H=δ*/θ
This ratio depends solely on the shape of the velocity pro le.
Laminar Flow: A ow in which uid ows in layer and no intermixing with each other is
known as laminar ow.
For circular pipe, ow will be laminar, 11-Boundary-layer_ les (13)
Where, ρ = Density of uid, v = Velocity of uid, D = Diameter of pipe, μ = Viscosity of uid.
For at plate ow will be laminar, 11-Boundary-layer_ les (14)

Where, L is length of plate.
Turbulent Flow: In this ow, adjacent layer of uid cross each other (particles of uid move
randomly instead of moving in stream line path).
For ow inside pipe ow will be turbulent, If Re > 4000
for at plate ow will be turbulent, If Re > 5 × 105
Von Karman Momentum Integral Equation
where, θ = momentum thickness; ρ = Density of uid.
This is applied to:

1. Laminar boundary layers,
2. Transition boundary layers, and
3. Turbulent boundary layer ows.
Shear stress:
where, U = Free stream velocity
Local Coef cient of Drag (C*D): It is de ned as the ratio of the shear stress τ0 to the
quantity 11-Boundary-layer_ les (17)
It is denoted by 11-Boundary-layer_ les (18)
Average Coef cient of Drag (CD): It is de ned as the ratio of the total drag force to
It is denoted by 11-Boundary-layer_ les (20)
Where, A = Area of surface, U = Free stream velocity, ρ = Mass density of uid.
Total drag on a at plate due to laminar and turbulent boundary layer:-
Total drag= Laminar drag upto tansition boundary + turbulent drag for whole plate -
turbulent drag upto transition boundary
Drag force=FD = ½ ρ * v2 * CD * A
Blassius Experiment Results
where x = Distance from leading edge
Rex = Reynold number for length x.
ReL = Reynold number at end of plane
For laminar ow, Boundary layer thickness δ ∝ √x
Shear stress at solid surface 11-Boundary-layer_ les (28)
Velocity pro le for turbulent boundary layer on Flate surface is
where n =1/7 for Re < 107 but more than 5 × 105
Boundary Layer Separation:
Let us take curve surface ABCSD where uid ow separation point S is determined from the
condition 11-Boundary-layer_ les (30)
If 11-Boundary-layer_ les (32) the ow is separated 11-Boundary-layer_ les (33)
If 11-Boundary-layer_ les (34) the ow is on the average of separation

If 11-Boundary-layer_ les (36) the ow will not separate or ow will remain attained
Methods of Preventing Separation of Boundary Layer:
Suction of slow moving uid by a suction slot.
Supplying additional energy from a blower.

Providing a bypass in the slotted
Rotating boundary in the direction of ow.
Providing small divergence in diffuser.
Providing guide blades in a bend.
Providing a trip wire ring in the laminar region for the ow over a sphere.
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Akhil Gupta
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308 upvotes 33 comments Updated : July 29th, 2020

Boundary layer theory

Boundary layer theory was developed by Prandtl in the year 1904.

free stream velocity. It means velocity gradient will exist.

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Development of Boundary Layer: Development of boundary layer can be divided in three

(iii) y = δ, 11-Boundary-layer_ les (1)=0

Here, x is distance from leading edge in horizontal direction.

Reynolds number (Re) 11-Boundary-layer_ les (3)

For laminar boundary layer (Re)x < 5 × 105 (For at plate)

For turbulent boundary layer (Re)x > 5 × 105 (For at plate)

11-Boundary-layer_ les (7)

Energy Thickness (δe): It is de ned as distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of

It is de ned as the ratio of displacement thickness to momentum thickness.

For circular pipe, ow will be laminar, 11-Boundary-layer_ les (13)

Where, ρ = Density of uid, v = Velocity of uid, D = Diameter of pipe, μ = Viscosity of uid.

For at plate ow will be laminar, 11-Boundary-layer_ les (14)

Where, L is length of plate.

For ow inside pipe ow will be turbulent, If Re > 4000

for at plate ow will be turbulent, If Re > 5 × 105

Von Karman Momentum Integral Equation

11-Boundary-layer_ les (15)

where, θ = momentum thickness; ρ = Density of uid.

This is applied to:

11-Boundary-layer_ les (16)

where, U = Free stream velocity

It is denoted by 11-Boundary-layer_ les (18)

It is denoted by 11-Boundary-layer_ les (20)

Where, A = Area of surface, U = Free stream velocity, ρ = Mass density of uid.

Total drag on a at plate due to laminar and turbulent boundary layer:-

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Blassius Experiment Results

where x = Distance from leading edge

Rex = Reynold number for length x.

ReL = Reynold number at end of plane

For laminar ow, Boundary layer thickness δ ∝ √x

Shear stress at solid surface 11-Boundary-layer_ les (28)

Velocity pro le for turbulent boundary layer on Flate surface is

where n =1/7 for Re < 107 but more than 5 × 105

Boundary Layer Separation:

If 11-Boundary-layer_ les (32) the ow is separated 11-Boundary-layer_ les (33)

If 11-Boundary-layer_ les (34) the ow is on the average of separation

Methods of Preventing Separation of Boundary Layer:

Suction of slow moving uid by a suction slot.

Supplying additional energy from a blower.

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Click Here Avail GATE ME Green Card!(150+ Mock Tests)

Prep Smart. Score Better.

COURSES FREE VIDEOS QUIZZES PREV. PAPERS

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Share this article |

Member since Oct 2019

486 Doubts Answered & 59 Best Answers

386 Thanks Recieved

60 Questions Answered Correctly