UNIT V

BOUNDARY LAYER
INTRODUCTION
The variation of velocity from zero to free-stream velocity in the direction normal to the boundary takes
place in a narrow region in the vicinity of solid boundary.
This narrow region of the fluid is called boundary layer. The theory dealing with boundary layer flows is
called boundary layer theory.

1. A very thin layer of the fluid called the boundary layer in the immediate neighbourhood of the
solid boundary, where the variation of velocity from zero at the solid boundary to free-stream velocity in
the direction normal to the boundary takes place.
2. The remaining fluid which is outside the boundary layer. The velocity outside the boundary
layer is constant and equal to free-stream velocity.

Laminar boundary layer:

 The leading edge of the surface of the plate where the thickness is small, the flow in the boundary layer

es
is laminar though the main flow is turbulent.
 This layer of the fluid is said to be laminar boundary layer.
ot
Turbulent boundary layer:
 The laminar boundary layer becomes unstable and motion of fluid within, it is disturbed and
N
irregular which leads to a transition from laminar to turbulent boundary layer.
 This short length over which the boundary layer flow changes from laminar to turbulent is called
h

transition zone.
ec

 Further downstream the transition zone the boundary layer is turbulent and continues to grow
in thickness. This layer of boundary is called turbulent boundary layer.
M

Laminar sub-layer:
 The region in the turbulent boundary layer zone, adjacent to the solid surface of the plate. In this zone
the velocity variation is influenced only by viscous effects.
 Though the velocity distribution would be a parabolic curve in the laminar sub-layer zone but in view of
the very small thickness. That velocity variation is linear and so the velocity gradient can be considered
constant.
 Therefore, the shear stress in the laminar sub-layer would be constant and equal to the boundary shear
stress 𝜏0.

Boundary layer thickness:

 It is defined as the distance from the boundary of the solid body measured in the y-direction to the point,
where the velocity of the fluid is approximately equal to 0.99 times the free stream velocity of the fluid.
 It is denoted by the symbol 𝛿.
 Displacement thickness:
 It is defined as the distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body by which the
boundary should be displaced to compensate for the reduction in flow rate on account of boundary layer
formation. It is denoted by 𝛿*.
δ* = ∫ [ 1 – (u/U) ] dy

It is also defined as:

 The distance perpendicular to the boundary by which the free stream is displaced due to the formation
of boundary layer.

Momentum thickness:
 It is defined as the distance, measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, by which the
boundary should be displaced to compensate for the reduction in momentum of the flowing fluid on
account of boundary layer formation. It is denoted by 𝜃.

θ = ∫ [ (u/U) – (u/U)2 ] dy

es
Energy thickness:

 It is defined as the distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body by which
ot
the boundary should be displaced to compensate for the reduction in kinetic energy of the
flowing fluid on account of boundary layer formation. It is denoted by 𝛿**.
N
δ** = ∫ [ (u/U) – (u/U)3 ] dy
h

Boundary condition for the velocity profiles:

ec

1. At y = 0,u = 0 and 𝑑𝑢𝑑𝑦 has some finite value.

2. At y = 𝛿,u=U.
M

3. At y = 𝛿, / 𝑑𝑦 = 0

Turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate:

 The thickness of the boundary layer, drag force on one side of the plate and co-efficient of drag
due to turbulent boundary layer on a smooth plate at zero pressure gradient are determined as
in case of laminar boundary layer provider the velocity profile is known.
 Blasius on the basis of the experiment given the following velocity profile for a turbulent
boundary layer.
𝑢𝑈 = (𝑦𝛿)𝑛

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

𝑢𝑈 = (𝑦𝛿)17
 The above equation is not applicable very near the boundary, where the thin laminar sub-layer of
thickness 𝛿` exist. Here velocity distribution is influenced by viscous effects.

Analysis of turbulent boundary layer:

(a) If Reynold number is more than 5×105 and less than 107the thickness of boundary layer and
drag co-efficient are given as:

𝛿 = 0.37(𝑅𝑒𝑥)1/5 and 𝐶𝐷 = 0.072(𝑅𝑒𝐿)1/5

Where x=distance from the leading edge

𝑅𝑒𝑥 = reynold number for length x

𝑅𝑒𝑙 = reynold number at the end of the plate

(b) If reynold number is more than 107 but less than 109 , gave the empirical equation as

𝐶𝐷 = 0.455(𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑅𝑒𝐿)

es
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEPARATION OF BOUNDARY LAYER:

ot
 The loss of kinetic energy is recovered from the intermediate fluid layer in contact with the layer adjacent
to solid surface through momentum exchange process. Thus the velocity of the layer goes on
N
decreasing.
h
ec
M

 Along the length of the solid body, at a certain point a stage may come when the boundary
layer may not be able to keep sticking to the solid body if it can’t provide kinetic energy to
overcome the resistance offer by the solid body, the boundary layer will be separated from the
surface.
 This phenomenon is called boundary layer separation. The point on the body at which the
boundary layer is on the verge of separation from the surface is called as the point of
separation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EFFECT OF PRESSURE GRADIENT ON THE BOUNDARY LAYER SEPARATION:

 Effect of pressure gradient (𝑑𝑝𝑑𝑥) on the boundary layer separation can be explained by
considering the flow over a curved surface. The area of flow decreases and hence velocity
increases. This means that flow gets accelerated in this region. Due to increase in the velocity,
the pressure decreases in the direction of the flow and hence pressure gradient (𝑑𝑝𝑑𝑥) is
negative.
Location of separation point:

The separation point is determined from the condition, ( )=0=0

For a given velocity profile, it can be determine whether the boundary layer has separated or verge of
separation or will not separate from the following condition.

1.If ( 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑦)𝑦=0 is negative…the flow has separated.

2.If ( 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑦)𝑦=0 = 0 the flow is on the verge of separation.

es
3.If ( 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑦)𝑦=0 is positive ….the flow will not separate or flow will remain attached with the surface.

Methods of preventing the separation of boundary layer:

ot
 When the boundary layer separates from the surface, a certain portion adjacent to the surface
has a back flow and eddies are continuously formed in this region and hence continuous loss
N
of energy takes place. Thus separation of boundary layer is undesirable and attempts should
h

be made to avoid separation by various methods.

ec

The following are the methods for preventing the separation of boundary layer:

1. Suction of the slow moving fluid by a suction slot.

M

2. Supplying additional energy from a blower.

3. Providing a bypass in the slotted wing.
4. Rotating boundary in the direction of flow.
5. Providing small divergence in a diffuser.
6. Providing guide-blades in a bend.
7. Providing a trip-wire ring in the laminar region for the flow over a sphere.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find the displacement thickness, the momentum thickness and energy thickness for the velocity
𝐮 𝐲
distribution in the boundary layer given by = , where u is the velocity at a distance y from
𝐔 𝛅
the plate and u = U at y = 𝛅 , where 𝛅 = boundary layer thickness. Also calculate the value of 𝛅 ∗/𝛉.
Given:
 u y
Velocity distribution =
U δ
(i) Displacement thickness 𝛅* is given by equation,
𝛿 u 𝛿 y u y
δ* = ∫0 (1 − U) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 (1 − δ) 𝑑𝑦 {∵ = δ}
U
𝛿
𝑦2
= [𝑦 − 2𝛿] {𝛿 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛}
0
𝛿2 𝛿
= δ- 2𝛿 = 𝛿−2
𝜹
𝛅*= 𝟐

(ii) Momentum thickness, 𝜽 is given by equation,

𝛿u u
𝜃 = ∫0 U
(1 − U) 𝑑𝑦
u y
Substituting the value of = ,
U δ
𝛿y y 𝛿 y y2
𝜃 = ∫0 (1 − 𝛿) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 (𝛿 − δ2 ) 𝑑𝑦
𝛿

es
𝛿
y2 y3 δ2 δ3
= [2δ − 3δ2 ] = 2δ − 3δ2
0
δ δ 3δ−2δ
= −3=
2 6
ot
𝛅
𝜽 = 𝟔
N
(iii) Energy thickness 𝛅 ** is given by equation, as
𝛿u u2 𝛿y y2 u y
δ ** = ∫0 𝑈
(1 − U2
) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 𝛿
(1 − δ2 ) 𝑑𝑦 {∵ U
= δ}
h

𝛿
𝛿 y y3 y2 y4 δ2 δ4
= ∫0 [δ − δ3 ] 𝑑𝑦 = [2δ − 4δ3 ] = 2δ − 4δ3
ec

0
δ δ 2δ−δ δ
= − = =
2 4 4 4
δ
𝛿∗ ( ) δ 6
M

2
(iv) = δ = 2x𝛿
𝜃 ( )
6

𝜹∗
=3
𝜽
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find the displacement thickness, the momentum thickness and energy thickness for the velocity
𝐮 𝐲 𝐲 𝟐
distribution in the boundary layer given by = 𝟐 [𝛅 ] - [𝛅 ]
𝐔

Solution: Given:
𝐮 𝐲 𝐲 𝟐
Velocity distribution = 𝟐 [𝛅 ] - [𝛅 ]
𝐔

(i) Displacement thickness 𝛅 * is given by equation,

𝛿 u
δ* = ∫0 (1 − U) 𝑑𝑦
u y 2
Substituting the value of = 2 [ ] - [δy ] , we have
U δ
 𝛿 y y 2
δ* = ∫0 {1 − [2 (δ ) − (δ ) ]} 𝑑𝑦
𝛿
𝛿 y y 2 2𝑦2 𝑦3
= ∫0 {1 − 2 (δ ) − (δ ) } 𝑑𝑦 = [ 2𝛿 + 3𝛿 2 ]
0
𝛿2 𝛿3 𝛿
= 𝛿- + 3𝛿2 = 𝛿 − 𝛿 + 3
𝛿
𝜹
𝛅* = 𝟑

(ii) Momentum thickness𝜽, is given by equation,

𝛿u u 𝛿 2y 𝑦2 2y 𝑦2
𝜃 = ∫0 (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 ( − ) [1 − ( − )] dy
U U δ 2𝛿 δ 𝛿2
𝛿 2y 𝑦2 2y 𝑦2
= ∫0 [ δ − 𝛿 2 ] [1 − δ
+ 𝛿2
] dy
𝛿 2y 4𝑦 2 2𝑦 3 𝑦2 2𝑦 3 𝑦4
= ∫0 [ δ − 𝛿2
+ 𝛿3
− 𝛿2 − 𝛿3
− 𝛿 4 ] 𝑑𝑦
𝛿
𝛿 2y 5𝑦 2 4𝑦 3 𝑦4 2𝑦 2 5𝑦 3 4𝑦 4 𝑦5
= ∫0 [ δ − 𝛿2
+ 𝛿3
− 𝛿 4 ] 𝑑𝑦 = [ 2δ − 3𝛿 2
+ 4𝛿 3 − 5𝛿 4 ]
0
δ2 5δ3 δ4 δ5 5δ 5δ
= [δ − 3𝛿 2
+ 𝛿 3 − 5𝛿 4 ] = δ - δ
+δ- δ

es
15δ−25δ+15δ−3δ 30δ−28δ
= =
15 15
𝟐𝛅
𝜽 = 𝟏𝟓
ot
(ii) (iii) Energy thickness 𝛅** is given by equation,
2
𝛿u 𝑢2 𝛿 2y 𝑦2 2y 𝑦2
δ** = ∫0 (1 − 𝑈2 ) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 ( δ − ) ([1 − ( δ − )] ) 𝑑𝑦
N
U 2𝛿 𝛿2

𝛿 2𝑦 𝑦2 4𝑦 2 𝑦4 4𝑦 3
= ∫0 ( 𝛿 − 2𝛿
) (1 − [ 𝛿 2 + 𝛿 4 − 𝛿3
]) 𝑑𝑦
h

𝛿 2y 𝑦2 4𝑦 2 𝑦4 4𝑦 3
= ∫0 ( δ − δ2
) (1 −
𝛿2
−
𝛿4
−
𝛿3
) 𝑑𝑦
ec

𝛿 2y 8𝑦 3 2𝑦 5 8𝑦 4 𝑦2 4𝑦 4 𝑦6 4𝑦 5
= ∫0 ( δ − 𝛿3
− δ5
+ 𝛿4
− 𝛿2 + 𝛿4
+ 𝛿6 − 𝛿5
) 𝑑𝑦
𝛿 2y 𝑦2 8𝑦 3 12𝑦 4 6𝑦 5 𝑦6
= ∫0 ( δ − − − − + 𝛿 6 ) 𝑑𝑦
M

𝛿2 𝛿3 δ4 𝛿5
𝛿
2y 𝑦3 8𝑦 4 12𝑦 5 6𝑦 6 𝑦7
= (2δ − 3𝛿 2
− 4𝛿 3 − 5δ4
− 6𝛿 5 + 7𝛿 6 )
0
𝛿2 𝛿3 2𝛿 4 12𝛿 5 𝛿6 𝛿7
= 𝛿
− 3𝛿 3 − δ3
+ 5𝛿 5
− 𝛿 5 + 7𝛿 6
δ 12 δ
= 𝛿 − 3 − 2δ + 5
𝛿 −𝛿+7
δ 12 δ
= - 2𝛿 − 3 + 5
𝛿 +7
−210δ−35δ+252δ+15δ
= 105
−245δ+267δ
= 105
𝟐𝟐𝛅
𝛅** = 𝟏𝟎𝟓

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DRAG FORCE ON A FLAT PLATE DUE TO BOUNDARY LAYER
Consider the flow of a fluid having free-stream velocity equal to U, over a thin plate a shown in
Fig. The drag force on the plate can be determined if the velocity profile near the plate is known. Consider
a small length ∆x of the plate at a distance of x from the leading edge as shown in Fig.(a). The enlarged
view of the small length of the plate is shown in Fig.(b)

Fig. Drag force on a plate due to boundary layer

es
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑢
The shear stress 𝜏0 is given by 𝜏0 = (𝑑𝑦) , where (𝑑𝑦) is the velocity distribution near the plate at
𝑦=0 𝑦=0

y=0.
ot
The drag force or shear force on a small distance ∆𝑥 is given by
∆𝐹𝐷 = shear stress x area
N
= 𝜏0 x ∆𝑥 x b …………(1) [Taking width of plate = b]
Where ∆𝐹𝐷 =drag force on distance ∆𝑥
h

The drag force ∆𝐹𝐷 must also be equal to the rate of change of momentum over the distance ∆𝑥 .
ec

Consider the flow over the small distance ∆𝑥 . Let ABCD is the control volume of the fluid over the distance
∆𝑥 as shown in Fig. (b). The edge DC represents the outer edge of the boundary layer.
Let u = velocity at any point within the boundary layer
M

b = width of plate
Then mass rate of flow entering through the side AD
𝛿
= ∫0 𝜌 x velocity x area of strip of thickness dy
𝛿
= ∫0 𝜌 x u x b x dy [∵ 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝 = 𝑏x𝑑𝑦]
𝛿
= ∫0 𝜌ub. dy
Mass rate of flow leaving the side BC
𝜕
= mass through AD + 𝜕𝑥 (mass through AD) x ∆𝑥
𝛿 𝜕 𝛿
= ∫0 𝜌ubdy 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 (𝜌ubdy)] x ∆𝑥

From continuity equation for a steady incompressible fluid flow, we have

Mass rate of flow entering AD + mass rate of flow entering DC
= mass rate of flow leaving BC
∵ Mass rate of flow entering DC = mass rate of flow through BC-mass rate of flow through AD
 𝛿 𝜕 𝛿 𝛿
= ∫0 𝜌ubdy + 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 (𝜌ubdy)] x ∆𝑥 - ∫0 𝜌ubdy
𝜕 𝛿
= 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 (𝜌ubdy)] x ∆𝑥

The fluid is entering through side DC with a uniform velocity U.

Now let us calculate momentum flux through control volume.
Momentum flux entering through AD
𝛿
= ∫0 momentum flux through strip of thickness by
𝛿 𝛿 𝛿
= ∫0 mass through strip x velocity = ∫0 (𝜌ubdy) xu = ∫0 (𝜌u2 bdy)
𝛿 𝜕 𝛿
Momentum flux leaving the side BC = ∫0 𝜌u2 bdy + 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 𝜌u2 bdy] x ∆𝑥

Momentum flux entering the side DC = mass rate through DC x velocity

𝜕 𝛿
= 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 𝜌ubdy] x ∆𝑥 x U ( ∵ Velocity = U)
𝜕 𝛿
= 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 𝜌ubdy] x ∆𝑥

As U is constant and so it can be taken inside the differential and integral

es
∴ Rate of change of momentum of the control volume
= Momentum flux through BC – Momentum flux through AD – momentum flux through DC

𝛿 𝜕 𝛿 𝛿 𝜕 𝛿
∫0 𝜌u2 bdy + 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 𝜌u2 bdy] x ∆𝑥 - ∫0 𝜌u2 bdy - 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 𝜌uUbdy] x ∆𝑥
=
ot
𝜕 𝛿 𝜕 𝛿
= 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 𝜌u2 bdy] x ∆𝑥 - 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 𝜌uUbdy] x ∆𝑥
N
𝜕 𝛿 𝛿
=
𝜕𝑥
[∫0 𝜌u2 bdy] - [∫0 𝜌uUbdy] x ∆𝑥
h

𝜕 𝛿
= [∫0 (𝜌u2 b − 𝜌uUb)dy] x ∆𝑥
ec

𝜕𝑥

𝜕 𝛿
= 𝜕𝑥
[𝜌b ∫0 (u2 − uU)dy] x ∆𝑥
M

{For incompressible fluid 𝜌 is constant}

𝜕 𝛿
= 𝜌b
𝜕𝑥
[∫0 (u2 − uU)dy] x ∆𝑥 ……….(2)

Now the rate of change of momentum on the control volume ABCD must be equal to the total force on
the control volume in the same direction according to the momentum principle.
𝜕𝑝
But for a flat plate 𝜕𝑥=0.

Which means there is no external pressure force on the control volume. Also the force on the side DC is
negligible as the velocity is constant and velocity gradient is zero approximately.
The only external force acting on the control volume is the shear force acting on the side AB in the
direction from B to A as shown in Fig.(b). The value of this force is given by equation (1) as,
∆𝐹𝐷 = 𝜏0 x ∆x x b
∴ The external force in the direction of rate of change of momentum
= - 𝜏0 x ∆x x b ………….(3)
According to momentum principle, the two values given by equations (3) and (2) should be the same.
𝜕 𝛿
∴ - 𝜏0 x ∆x x b = 𝜌b 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 (u2 − uU)dy] x ∆𝑥

Cancelling ∆x x b , to both sides, we have

𝜕 𝛿
- 𝜏0 = 𝜌 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 (u2 − uU)dy]

𝜕 𝛿 𝜕 𝛿
or 𝜏0 = − 𝜌
𝜕𝑥
[∫0 (u2 − uU)dy] = 𝜌 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 (uU − u2 )dy]

𝜕 𝛿 𝑢 𝑢2
= 𝜌 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 𝑈 2 (𝑈 − 𝑈2 ) 𝑑𝑦]

𝜕 𝛿𝑢 𝑢
= 𝜌𝑈 2 𝜕𝑥 [∫0 𝑈
[1 − 𝑈] 𝑑𝑦]

𝜏0 𝜕 𝛿𝑢 𝑢
𝜌𝑈 2
= 𝜕𝑥
[∫0 𝑈
[1 − 𝑈] 𝑑𝑦] ……… (4)

𝛿𝑢 𝑢
In equation (4), the expression ∫0 𝑈
[1 − 𝑈] dy is equal to momentum thickness 𝜃. Hence equation (4) is

also written as

es
𝜏0 𝜕𝜃
= ………..(5)
𝜌𝑈 2 𝜕𝑥

Equation (5) is known as Von Karman momentum integral equation for boundary layer flows.
ot
This is applied to:
1. Laminar boundary layers
N
2. Transition boundary layers and
3. Turbulent boundary layer flows.
h

For a given velocity profile in laminar zone, transition zone or turbulent zone of a boundary layer,
the shear stress 𝜏0 is obtained from equation (4) or (5). Then drag force on a small distance ∆𝑥 of the
ec

plate is obtained from equation (1) as

∆𝐹𝐷 = - 𝜏0 x ∆x x b
M

Then total drag on the plate of length L on one side is

𝐿
𝐹𝐷 = ∫ ∆𝐹𝐷 = ∫0 𝜏0 x b x 𝑑𝑥 {change ∆x = dx} ……..(6)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Co-efficient of Drag [𝑪𝑫 ∗].
1
It is defined as the ratio of the shear stress 𝜏0 to the quantity 2
𝜌𝑈 2 . It is denoted by 𝐶𝐷∗
𝜏0
Hence 𝐶𝐷∗ = 1 ………(7)
𝜌𝑈 2
2

Where A = Area of the surface (or plate)

U = Free-stream velocity
𝜌 = Mass density of fluid
Boundary Conditions for the Velocity Profiles. The followings are the boundary conditions which must
be satisfied by any velocity profile, whether it is in laminar boundary layer zone, or in turbulent boundary
layer zone:
 𝑑𝑢
1. At y=0, u=0 and 𝑑𝑦 has some finite value

2. At y=𝛿, u=U
𝑑𝑢
3. At y=𝛿, 𝑑𝑦=0

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the velocity profile given in, find the thickness of boundary layer at the end of the plate and
the drag force on one side of a plate 1m long and 0.8m wide when placed in water flowing with a
velocity of 150 mm per second. Calculate the value of co-efficient of drag also. Take 𝝁 for water =
0.01 poise.
Given:
Length of plate, L = 1m
Width of plate, b = 0.8m
Velocity of fluid (water) U = 150mm/s = 0.15 m/s
0.01 𝑵𝒔 𝐍𝐬
𝜇 for water 𝜇 = 0.01 poise = = 0.001
10 𝒎𝟐 𝐦𝟐

es
Solution:
Reynold number at the end of the plate i.e., at a distance of 1m from leading edge is given by
𝝆𝑼𝑳 𝟎.𝟏𝟓 𝐱 𝟏.𝟎
𝑅𝑒𝐿 = = 1000 x (∵ 𝜌 = 1000)
𝝁 .𝟎𝟎𝟏
ot
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐱 𝟎.𝟏𝟓 𝐱 𝟏.𝟎
= = 150000
𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟏
N
(i) As laminar boundary layer exists upto Reynold number = 2 x 105. Hence this is the case of laminar
boundary layer. Thickness of boundary layer at x = 1.0m is given by equation as,
h

𝒙 𝟓.𝟒𝟖 𝐱 𝟏.𝟎
𝛿 = 5.48 = = 0.01415m = 14.15mm.
√𝑹𝒆𝑳 √𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
ec

(ii) Drag force on one side of the plate is given by equation,

𝝆𝑼𝑳
FD = 0.73 𝑏𝜇U√
M

𝜌𝑈𝐿
= 0.73 x 0.8 x 0.001 x 0.15 x √150000 {∵ = 𝑅𝑒𝐿 }
𝜇

FD = 0.0338N.
(iii) Co-efficient of drag. CD is given by equation as,
𝟏.𝟒𝟔 𝟏.𝟒𝟔
CD = = = 0.00376
√𝐑𝐞𝐋 √𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎

CD = 0.00376
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 S.No Velocity Distribution 𝜹 𝑪𝑫
𝑢 𝑦 𝑦 2
1 = 2(𝛿 ) − (𝛿 ) 5.48 𝑥 ⁄√𝑅𝑒𝑥 1.46⁄√𝑅𝑒𝐿
𝑈

𝑢 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
2 = 2 (𝛿 ) − 2 (𝛿 ) 4.64 𝑥 ⁄√𝑅𝑒𝑥 1.292⁄√𝑅𝑒𝐿
𝑈

𝑢 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑦 4
3 = 2 (𝛿 ) − 2 (𝛿 ) + (𝛿 ) 5.84 𝑥 ⁄√𝑅𝑒𝑥 1.36⁄√𝑅𝑒𝐿
𝑈

𝑢 𝜋 𝑦
4 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2 𝛿 ) 4.79 𝑥 ⁄√𝑅𝑒𝑥 1.31⁄√𝑅𝑒𝐿
𝑈

5 Blasius’s Solution 4.91 𝑥 ⁄√𝑅𝑒𝑥 1.328⁄√𝑅𝑒𝐿

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝒖 𝟑 𝒚 𝟏 𝒚 𝟑
For the velocity profile in laminar boundary layer as, = 𝟐 (𝜹) − ( ) find the thickness of the
𝑼 𝟐 𝜹

boundary layer and the shear stress 1.5m from the leading edge of a plate. The plate is 2m long

es
and 1.4 m wide and is placed in water which is moving with a velocity of 200 mm per second. Find
the total drag force on the plate if 𝝁 for water = 0.01 poise.
Given:
ot
𝐮 𝟑 𝐲 𝟏 𝐲 𝟑
Velocity profile is = ( )− ( )
𝐔 𝟐 𝛅 𝟐 𝛅
N
Distance of x from leading edge, x = 1.5m
h

Length of plate, L = 2m
Width of plate, b = 1.4m
ec

Velocity of plate U = 200 mm/s = 0.2 m/s

0.01
Viscosity of water, 𝜇 = 0.01 poise = 10
= 0.001 Ns/m2
M

Solution:
For the given velocity profile, thickness of boundary layer is given by equation as
4.46 𝑥
𝛿=
√𝑅𝑒𝑥
𝜌𝑈𝑥 0.2x1.5
[Here, 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = 1000 x = 300000]
𝜇 0.001

4.46 𝑥 1.5
𝛿= = 0.0127 𝑚
√300000
𝜹 = 12.27 mm.
𝑈𝑥
Shear stress (𝝉𝟎 ) is given by 𝜏0 = 0.323
𝑥
√𝑅𝑒𝑥
0.2
= 0.323 x 0.001 x
1.5
√300000
𝝉𝟎 = 0.0235 N/m2.
Drag Force (𝑭𝑫) on the side of the plate is given by as
𝝆𝑼𝑳
𝑭𝑫 = 0.646 𝝁U √ 𝝁 x b

0.2𝑥2.0
= 0.646 x 0.001 x 0.2 x √1000x x 1.4
0.001

= .646 x 0.001 x 0.2 x √400000 x 1.4 = 0.1138N

𝑭𝑫 = 0.1138N

∴ Total drag force = Drag force on both sides of the plate

= 2x0.1138 = 0.2276 N
Total drag force = 0.2276 N
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air is flowing over a smooth plate with a velocity of 10 m/s. The length of the plate is 1.2 m and
width 0.8 m. If laminator boundary layer exists up to a value of Re = 2 x 105, find the maximum
distance from the leading edge upto which laminar boundary layer exists. Find the maximum

es
𝒖 𝒚 𝒚 𝟐
thickness of laminar boundary layer if the velocity profile is given by = 𝟐 ( ) − ( ) . Take
𝑼 𝜹 𝜹

kinematic viscosity for air = 0.15 strokes.

ot
Given:
Velocity of air, U = 10 m/s
N
Length of plate, L = 1.2 m
Width of plate, b = 0.8 m
h

Reynold number upto which laminar boundary exists = 2 x 105

ec

𝜐 for air = 0.15 stokes = 0.5x10-4 m2/s

𝜌 = 1.24 kg/m3
Solution:
M

If 𝑅𝑒𝑥 =2x105 , then x denotes the distance from leading edge upto which laminar boundary layer
exists
10 𝑥 𝑥
∴ 2x105 =
0.15𝑥10−4
2x105 x 0.15x10−4
∴ x = = 0.30 m
10
x = 300mm.
𝑢 𝑦 𝑦 2
Maximum thickness of the laminar boundary for the velocity profile, 𝑈 = 2 (𝛿 ) − (𝛿 ) is given by

equation as
5.48𝑥 𝑥 5.48𝑥0.30
𝛿 = =
√𝑅𝑒𝑥 √2𝑥105

= 0.00367 m
𝜹 = 3.67mm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air is flowing over a flat plate 500 mm long and 600 mm wide with a velocity of 4 m/s. The
kinematic viscosity of air is given as 0.15x10-4 m2/s2. Find (i) the boundary layer thickness at the
end of the plate, (ii) Shear stress at 200mm from the leading edge and (iii) drag force on one side
𝒖 𝝅 𝒚
of the plate. Take the velocity profile over the plate as = sin( , ) and density of air 1.24 kg/m3.
𝑼 𝟐 𝜹
Given:
Length of plate, L = 500 mm = 0.5m
Width of plate, b = 600 mm = 0.6 m
Velocity of air, U = 4 m/s

Kinematic viscosity, 𝜐 = 0.15 x 10-4 m2/s

Mass density, 𝜌 = 1.24 kg/m3
𝑢 𝜋 𝑦
For the velocity profile, = sin( , ) , we have
𝑈 2 𝛿
Solution:

es
(i) Boundary layer thickness at the end of the plate means value of 𝜹 at x = 0.5m.
First find Reynold number.
ρUx Ux 4x0.5
ot
𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = = 1.33x105.
μ υ 0.15x10−4

Hence boundary layer is laminar over the entire length of the plate as Reynold number at the end
N
of the plate is 1.33x105.
∴ 𝛿 at x = 0.5 m for the given velocity profile is given by equation as
h

4.795 𝑥 4.795𝑥0.5
𝛿 = = = 0.00656 m = 6.56 mm.
ec

√𝑅𝑒𝑥 √1.33𝑥105

(ii) Shear stress at any distance from leading edge is given by

𝛍𝐔
√𝑹𝒆𝒙
M

𝝉𝟎 = 0.327
𝐱
𝑈x𝑥 4𝑥0.2
At x =200 mm = 0.2 m, 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = 1.33x105 = 53333
𝜐 0.15𝑥10−4
0.327 x μ x 4 x √53333
τ0 =
0.2
𝑢
But 𝜇 = 𝜐x𝜌 {∵ 𝜐 = 𝜌
, ∴ 𝜇 = 𝜐x𝜌}

= 0.15 x 10-4 x 1.24 = 0.186x10-4

0.327 x 0.186 x 10−4 x 4 x √53333
𝜏0 = = 0.02805 N/m2
0.2

(iii) Drag force on one side of the plate is given by equation

𝜌𝑈𝐿
𝐹𝐷 = 0.655 x 𝜇𝑈 x b x √ 𝜐
 𝑈𝐿 𝑢
= 0.655 x 0.186 x 10-4 x 4.0 x 0.6 x √ {∵ 𝜐 = }
𝜐 𝜌

4 x 0.5
= 0.29234x10-4 x √
.15 x 10−4

𝑭𝑫 = 0.01086 N
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A thin plate is moving in still atmospheric air at a velocity of 5 m/s. The length of the plate is 0.6m
and width 0.5m. Calculate (i) the thickness of the boundary layer at the end of the plate, and (ii)
drag force on one side of the plate. Take density of air as 1.24 kg/m3 and kinematic viscosity 0.15
stokes.
Given:
Velocity of air, U = 5 m/s
Length of plate, L = 0.6 m
Width of plate, b = 0.5 m

es
Density of air, 𝜌 = 1.24 kg/m3
Kinematic viscosity, 𝜐 = 0.15 stokes = 0.15x10-4 m2/s
Solution:
ot
𝑈𝐿 5𝑥0.6
Reynold number, 𝑅𝑒 = = = 200000.
𝜐 0.15𝑥10−4
N
As 𝑅𝑒 is less than 5x105 , hence boundary layer is laminar over the entire length of the plate.
h

(i) Thickness of boundary layer at the end of the plate by Blasius’s solution is
4.91 𝑥 4.91 𝐿 4.91 𝑥 0.6
ec

𝛿= = =
√𝑅𝑒𝑥 √𝑅𝑒𝑥 √200000

= .00658 m
𝜹 = 6.58 mm
M

(iii) Drag force on one side of the plate is given by equation as,
𝟏
𝐅𝐃 = 𝟐 𝛒𝐀𝐔 𝟐 x 𝐂𝐃
FD
therefoere , CD = 1
ρ A U2
2

1.328 1.328
Where 𝐶𝐷 from Blasius’s solution, 𝐶𝐷 = =
√𝑅𝑒𝐿 √200000

= 0.002969
𝑪𝑫 = .00297
1
FD = ρAU 2 x CD
2
1
= x 1.24 x 0.6 x 0.5 x 52 x .002970
2
𝐅𝐃 = 0.013773 N.
Note. If no velocity profile is given in the numerical problem but boundary layer is laminar, then Blasius’s
solution is used.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A plate of 600 mm length and 400 mm wide is immersed in a fluid of sp.gr. 0.9 and kinematic
viscosity (𝝊=) 10-4 m2/s. The fluid is moving with a velocity of 6 m/s. Determine (i) boundary layer
thickness (ii) shear stress at the end of the plate, and (iii) drag force on one side of the plate.
As no velocity profile is given in the above problem, hence Blasius’s solution will be used.
Given:
length of plate, L = 600 mm = 0.60 m
Width of plate, b = 400 mm = 0.40 m
Sp.gr.of fluid, S = 0.9
∴ Density, 𝜌 = 0.9 x 1000 = 900 kg/m3
Velocity of fluid U = 6 m/s
Kinematic viscosity 𝜐 = 10-4 m2/s
Solution:

es
𝑈𝑥𝐿 6 𝑥 0.6
Reynold number, 𝑅𝑒𝐿 = = = 3.6 x 104.
𝜐 10−4
As 𝑅𝑒𝐿 is less than 5 x 105, hence boundary layer is laminar over the entire length of the plate.
ot
(i) Thickness of boundary layer at the end of the plate from Blasius’s solution is
4.91 𝑥
𝛿=
N
√𝑅𝑒𝑥

where x = 0.6m and 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = 3.6x104

h

4.91 𝑥 0.6
ec

= = 0.0155 m
√3.6 𝑥 10−4

𝜹 = 15.5 mm
M

(ii) Shear stress at the end of the plate is

𝜌𝑈 2 0.332 𝑥 900 𝑥 62
𝜏0 = 0.33 = = 56.6 N/m2.
√𝑅𝑒𝐿 √3.6 𝑥 10 4

(iii) Drag force (𝑭𝑫) on one side of the plate is given by

1
𝐹𝐷 = 𝜌𝐴𝑈 2 x 𝐶𝐷
2
1.328 1.328
Where from Blasius’s solution is 𝐶𝐷 = = = 0.00699
√𝑅𝑒𝐿 √3.6 𝑥 104

1
𝐹𝐷 = 𝜌𝐴𝑈 2 x 𝐶𝐷
2
1
= x 900 x 0.6 x 0.4 x 62 x .00699 [∵ 𝐴 = 𝐿x𝑏 = 0.6x. 4]
2
FD = 26.78 N

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------