Boundary layer theory

by
Prof. Shantha Amarasinghe

Session 2 1
 Description of the boundary layer

Assume pressure is uniform

The fluid, originally having velocity u in the direction of the plate, is retarded in the
neighbourhood of the surface, and the boundary layer begins at the leading edge of
the plate. As more and more of the fluid is slowed down the thickness of the layer
increases. Since there is no sharp line of demarcation for merging of the boundary
layer with the main flow, the thickness of the layer may be taken as the distance form
the surface at which the velocity reaches 99% of the velocity of the main stream.
0.99 * V infinity 2
 The height to the point
from the surface
𝑦
𝛿 Velocity
𝑅𝑒𝑥 < 2 × 105 𝑅𝑒𝑥 > 2 × 106 of the
Thickness of
point
boundary layer
which
--------------- we
|
|
^| consider
A ^|
| |delta
|y |
| |

Velocity above the boundary

layer (Vs)

In a turbulent layer there is more

𝛿𝑦 intermingling of fluid particles and
𝛿𝑢 therefore a more nearly uniform
velocity than in a laminar flow. As a
result the turbulent layer has a greater
velocity gradient at the surface.

𝜕𝑢
𝜏0 = 𝜇
𝜕𝑦 𝑦=0
3
 Boundary layer in pipe flow

in the pipe flow,

The length to fully development of the velocity profile
there is a limit
to the growth of
the boundary
layer thickness,
namely the pipe
radius.

4
 DEFINITIONS OF BOUNDARY LAYER THICKNESSES
Boundary layer thickness is defined as that distance from the surface
𝜹=𝒚 𝒖=𝟎.𝟗𝟗𝒖𝒎
where the local velocity equals 99 per cent of the free stream velocity,

Displacement thickness, 𝜹∗

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 DEFINITIONS OF BOUNDARY LAYER THICKNESSES
Momentum thickness, 

The total reduction in momentum flow = Momentum flow rate under frictionless
(due to boundary layer effect) conditions through thickness 
Equating the momentum reduction with the equivalent
momentum occurs by the friction less region.

6
 The momentum equation applied to the boundary layer
Consider the boundary layer formed in the flow along one side of a thin, smooth, flat plate
parallel to the direction of the oncoming fluid. No other solid surface near, and the pressure is
assumed uniform. i.e., Pressure change only occur in x direction. Same pressure along y direction.

➢ The boundary layer is of thickness d, and its outer edge is represented by BD. This line is not
a streamline, (as x increases more fluid continually enters the boundary layer) and so select
the control volume ACDE where C be the point on AB produced which is on the same
streamline as D.

The pressure force occur on CD, curved surface.

|
___________________________
------------->
Simplifying

P*(AC)*1
As (delta x) is very small,
We considered a unit width to the screen. we can average the pressure.

As (delta x) is very small, we can assume ED = AC 7

 As shear force acting on opposite direction ----------------------------------------
dy u
to the flow, the - sign comes.
-------------------------------------------
Therefore the total force

Momentum transfer rate within AE

Momentum transfer region (momentum varies from A to E)
rate up to point A

_____________
______________________________ ___________ BC
ED AB As BC is out is in out of the boundary layer,
we can simply calculate momentum rate by
simply get the product of mass transfer * velocity.

As this equation gives momentum flow rates, to obtain mass flow rates,
we can divide by velocity. Then As, (mass)out -(mass)in = 0,
we can equal this difference to zero.
This is performed to obtain a term to replace
BC part momentum rate term term

This obtained by considering the (ED - AB term to obtain BC & here as mass 8
flow rates considered, not multiplied by another U as when obtaining the momentums)
 For outside of the boundary layer,
we can easily apply Bernoulli equation.

(The boundary
layer thickness. )

9
 Differentiation of a (UV) term.

After taking an Um out of the brackets, we can see the equations for
(theta) & (delta star), which we previously derived. After substituting
(theta) & (delta star) in this equation, we can obtain equation five.

The momentum equation applied to a boundary layer simplified.

As many flow in the surfaces have same pressure. So, there is no pressure gradient, then no velocity gradient,

i.e. the last term in equation 5 disappears.

As we take these parameters changing only in x direction & there no multiple variables, we can shift to d operated here after.

10
The laminar boundary layer on a flat plate with zero pressure gradient

2
𝑑𝜃
𝜏0 = 𝜌𝑢𝑚
𝑑𝑥

Here, equation for theta is substituted.

As given that Neeta is independent

by x direction, we can take these
two terms as constants.

11
As we got this equation 2 by equating 2 equations which contain, Tau 0 in L.H.S, both 2 terms in R.H.S & L.H.S in equation 2 equals to Tau 0. So, by comparing R.H.S of
equation 2 & the previously derived equation for (d theta/ d x), we can relate (A (d delta/ dx)) = (d theta / dx)

Re arranged the equation in a more user-friendly way.

-------------->

_________

______ ___________

F
_____
L*1

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13
 Derive relationships for velocity profile 𝑢

𝑢
𝑢𝑚
= 2 − 2 _____ A
>
o
=𝑓 
𝑢𝑚 𝑢 3 1 3
= − 
𝑢𝑚 2 2 𝑢 𝜋
= sin 
𝑢𝑚 2

________________
Now we are going to prove the equation A.

& after integrating, we get the equation below.

As we need a relation between f(Neta) & Neta,

we replace y with delta * Neta.

When Neta = 1, y = delta. i.e. the thickness of the

boundary layer (Edge of the boundary layer). Then, u = um

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1 Substituting equation B for f(Neta)

 1 − f () f ()d = A =
2 o B

 f ( )=
15 u
0 =2 −  2
um
  f () 
  =B =2
     =0

Substituting the A, B
values for previously
obtained equations,

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Continued….
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