13

ing
CHAPTER
BOUNDARY
FLOW
LAYER

13. INTRODUCTION

real fluid flows past a solid body or a solid wall, the fluid
hen a

d condition of no slip occurs. This means that the

particles adhere to the boundary
and velocity fluid close to the
of boundary will be zero. will be same
that of the boundary. If the boundary is stationary, the velocity of fluid at the boundary
Carther away from the boundary, the velocity will be higher and as a result of this variation of velocity,
du
the velocity gradient will exist. The velocity of fluid increases from
dy
zero velocity on the stationary
boundary to free-stream velocity (U) of the fluid in the direction normal to the boundary. This 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.
According to boundary layer theory, the flow of fluid in the neighbourhood of the solid boundary
may be divided into two regions as shown in Fig. 13.1.

BOUNDARY
/ LAYER
U

SOLID BDY

13.1 Flow over solid body.

Fig.
thin called the boundary layer, in the immediate neighbourhood of the
hTy layer of the fluid, free-stream velocity
d d y , where the variation of velocity
from zero at the solid boundary to
In the c
du
exists and
In this region, the velocity gradient
*euon normal to the boundary takes place. dy
henc
ence the fluid exerts the wall in the direction of motion.
The value of shear stress is
given by d a shear stress on

611
 612 Fluid Mechanics
du
T
dy
2. The remaining fluid, which is outside the boundary layer. The velocity outside the bo
is constant and
equal to free-stream velocity. As there is no variation of velocity in this r
du
velocity gradient becomes zero. As a result of this the shear stress is zero.
dy
13.2 DEFINITIONS
13.2.1 Laminar Boundary Layer. For
layer turbulent boundary layer) consider the defining
the boundary layer (i.e.,
or laminar boun
velocity (Uoundan
a smooth thin
flow of a fluid, having free-stream
plate which is flat and placed parallel to the direction for free
in Fig. 13.2. Let us stream of fluid
consider the flow with zero as sho
stationary. pressure gradient on one side of the show
plate, which
TURBULENT BOUNDARY
LAMINAR BOUNDARY LAYER
Lou houk LAYER
G
JrU 9ockd
LAMINAR
SUBLAYER
B

dhha D

Ds'ne LEADING
EDGE LAMINAR
ZONE TURBULENT
ZONE
TRANSITION
ZONE
Fig. 13.2 Flow overa plate.
The velocity of fluid on the
is stationary and
surface of the plate should be
hence velocity of fluid on the equal
surtace
to the
velocity of the plate. But plat
the plate, the fluid is having certain of the
velocity. Thus a
plate is zero.
But at a distance
surface of the plate. This velocity away trom
fluid with a uniform free velocity gradient develops gradient is set up in the fluid near *
V
d e

stream velocity (U) is shear resistance, which

and the
boundary layer region begins at the sharpretarded in the vicinity
vicinity of retards the fluid. Thus
of the solid
leading edge, the boundary layer leading edge. At
region increases because the
surface of the plae
also referred as the
growth of boundary layer. Near the subsequent
retarded points downstream the
fluid is further
the thickness is small, the leading edge of the retarded. Thisi
ret:
flow in the
layer of the fluid is said to be laminarboundary
boundarylayer
layer.is This
laminar though
is shown by AE surface of the
in E.tlow is turbulent.
plate, where
the main plate, wnThis
theplate from the leading edge, upto which flow is turbulent.
tu
is shown by distance AB. laminar
The distance of B from boundary layer nis Fig. 13.2.3.2. The length o
to 5 x 10 for leading exists,
a plate. Because upto this Reynold numberedge is ohtoi. s called calledlaminar lengu
20ne. This

2000 the om
irom laminar
Reynold
zone.
number is given by (R,), = X* boundary number eq
layer is lamina
nar.
equ
The
qual

ynold

where x =
Distance from leading edge,
U= Free-stream velocity of fluid,
V =Kinematic viscosity of fluid,
 613
Boundary Layer Flow
Uxx
Hencefor laminar boundary layer, we have 5 x 10' = ..(13.1)

If
t h e values
of U and v are known, x or the distance from the leading edge upto which laminar
layer.exists can be calculated
boundary

13.2.2
Turbulent Boundary Layer. If the
of the plate is more than the distance x,
length
c a l c u l a t e d
from quation (13.1), the thickness of boundary layer will go on increasing in the down-
am dircction. Then the laminar boundary layer becomesunstable and motion of fluid within it., 5
stream

disturb ched andiregularwhich leads to a

transition from laminar to turbulent boundary layer. This short
th overwhich the boundary layer flow changes from laminar to turbulent is called transition zone.
i s shown by distance BC in Fig. 13.2. Further downstream the transition zone, the boundarylayer
s turhulent
s
and This layer of boundary is called turbulent boundary
continuesto grow in thickness.
laver, which is shown by the portion FG in Fig. 13.2.
This is the region in the turbulent boundary layer zone, adjacent to
13.2.3 Laminar Sub-layer.
of the plate as shown in Fig. 13.2. In this zone, the velocity variation is influenced
the solid surface
the velocity distribution would be a parabolic curve in the laminar
only by viscous effects. Though
sub-layer zone, butin view of the very small thickness we can reasonably assume that velocity
stress in
vaation islinearand so thevelocitygradientcanbe considered constant. Therefore, the shear
the laminar sub-layer would be constant and equal to the boundary shear stress To- Thus the shear stress
in the sub-layer is

(du For linear variation,

u

dy
13.2.4 Boundary Layer Thickness (6). 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

equalto0.99 times the free stream velocity (U) of the fluid. Itis denoted by the symbol . For
andturbulent zone it is denoted as
1. aThickness of laminar boundary layer, Vel 0.9sV
2.urThickness of turbulent boundary layer, and
3. & = Thickness of laminar sub-layer.

I3.2.5 Displacement Thickness (8*). It is defined as the distance, measured perpendicular to the
for the reduction in
boundary of the solid body, by which the boundaryItshould be
displaced
is denoted
to compensate
*. It is also defined
Wrate on account of boundary layer formation. by as:

"The distance perpendicular to the boundary, by which the free-stream is displaced due to the
Tormation of boundary
layer
Expression for 8*.
BOUNDARY
LAYER

dy C VELOCITY
U DISTRIBUTION

- X-
PLATE

Fig. 13.3 Displacement thickness.

614 Fluid Mechanics
equal to U over a t in smooth
flow of a fluid having free-stream velocity
Consider the
shown in Fig. 13.3. At a distance x from the leading edge
1-1. The
consider a section 1-1. velocit ae
The veloci.
of
platea
layer, is U. Thus velocity varies fromz zero at
at B is zero and at C which lies on the boundary B
boundary layer 1.e., to
at C, where BC is equal to the thickness of
Distance BC = ð
At the section 1-1, consider an elemental strip.
Let y= distance of elemental strip from
the plate,
dy= thickness ofthe elemental strip,
= velocity of fluid at the elemental strip,
b= width of plate.
Then area of elemental strip, dA = b x dy
Mass of fluid per second flowing through elemental strip
= px Velocity x Area of elemental strip
pu x dA = pu x b x dy
If there had been plate,
no flowing with a constant velocity equalu
then the fluid would have been
free-stream velocity (U) at the section 1-1. Then mass of fluid per second flowing through eleme
strip would have been
px Velocity x*Area =pxUxbxdy
As U is more than u, hence due to the
..

presence of the and

plate consequently due to the formation oi
the boundary layer, there will be a reduction in mass
flowing per second through the elemental strp
This reduction in mass/sec flowing through elemental
strip
mass/sec given by equation (ii) mass/sec
=

given by equation i
-

pUbdy pubdy pb(U u)dy

= -

= -

Total reduction in mass of fluid/s

flowing through BC due to plate
pb(U-u)dy = pb(U- u)dy

Let the plate is displaced by a distance * and velocity of flow if fluid is incompressible
free-stream velocity (i.e., U). Loss of the mass of the for the distance * is
fluid/sec flowing through the distanceequal
=
px Velocity x Area
= pxUx 8* xb
Equating equation (ii) and (iv), we get Area =8* xb}

pb(U-udy =px Ux&*b

Cancelling pb from both sides, we have

(U-udy =Ux8*
or
U-wdy )dy =
[° U-udy
U
: Uis constant and c
ine
be taken inside the

/v-C dy.
 615
Flow6 1
Boundary Layer
distance,
mentum Thickness (0). as the
1 3 . 2 . 6

of Momentum thickness is defined displaced

m e a s u r e d
nerpendicular
ared perpendicular
to the boundary
boundary of the solid
body, by which the boundary
should be
ate for the reduction in momentum of he flowing fluid on account of boundary 1ayer
t oc o m p e n

It is denoted by 6.
cider the flow over a plate as shown in Fig. 13.3. Consider the section 1-1 at a distance x from
leading edge. an elemental strip at a distance y from the plate having thickness (dy).
The
maso o
per second
flowing per second through this clemental strip is given by equation (i) and is equal oto P
pubay.
and is equal
fuid
Momentum of this luid = Mass x Velocity- Even by cquation (i)
Momenum s ud =
Velocity (pubdy)u
am of this tluid in the absence of
boundary layer (pubdy)U =

Loss of momentum through elemental strip

(pubdy)U - (pubdy) x =
u =
pbu(U~ uu
Total loss of momentum/sec through BC ..(13.3)
=
pbu(U - u)dy
Let distance by which plate is displaced when the fluid is flowing with a constant velocity
: Loss of momentum/sec of fluid flowing through distance with a velocity U
=
Mass of fluid through 0 x velocity
=
(p x area x
velocity) x velocity
lp xexbxU]xU ( Area =8xb}
pebU4 .(13.4)
Equating equations (13.4) and (13.3), we have

pebU = pbu(U - u)dy = pbu(U- udy (If fluid is assumed incompressible)

eU= U -urdy cancelling pb from both sides}

u(U-udy
7 u ( U - u)dy =°
U

- ...(13.5)
3.2.7 Energy Thickness (8**). It is defined as the distance measured perpendicular to the
dary of the solid body, by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate for the reduction
netic energy of the flowing fluid on account of boundary layer formation. It is denoted by 8t*
onsider the flow over the plate as shown in Fig. 13.3 having section 1-1l at a distance x from
duedge. The mass of fluid flowing per second through the elemental strip of thickness 'dy'at a
nce y from the plate as given by equation (i) pubdy =

Kinetic energy of this fluid

mx
2 velocity= (pubdy) u
Sineti energy of this fluid in the absence of boundary layer

(pubdy)U
.
LOSS of K.E. through elemental strip
(pubdy)U- (pubdy) uc'
=
pub [U-] dy
616 Fluid Mechanics
'Total loss of K.E. of fluid passing through B
pbu(-)dy
pub1-u1 dy =
(If fluid is considered
to compensate for the reduction
incompreM
in Kt
Let o**= distance by which the plate is displaced
U
Loss of K.E. through 8** of fluid flowing with velocity
jN
-
(mass) x velocity" =
(p x arca x velocity) x velocié

(p xbx8** x U)U2 Area = bri

pbo**u
2
Equating the two losses of K.E., we get

pho =pb(U-) dy
or
8 5 Ju (U- -ud dy

dy . . .
Problem 13.1 Find the displacement thickness, the momentum thickness and energy thickness for

the velocity distribution in the boundary layer given by where u is the velocity at a distance y

from the plate and u = Uaty = 8, where 8 = boundary layer thickness. Also calculate the value of 80.
Solution. Given
Velocity distribution

) Displacement thickness * is given by equation (13.2),

{ is constant across a section

28 Jo

(ii) Momentum thickness, 6 is

8-8-
given by equation (13.5).
Ans.
 Boundary Lay

the value of
Substituting

dy

8 8 8 8 38-28
Ans.
28 38 28 3872 3 6
Gi Energy thickness 0** is given by equation (13.6), as

dy

|dy= 28 483 28 483

28-6
Ans.
2 4 4

(8
8* 2
(iv) 3 . Ans.