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A quasi-similarity analysis of the turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate

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Abstract

The partial differential equation of the boundary layer on a flat plate are simplified by using the universal variables for turbulent flow. For laminar flow this gives boundary layer having a finite thickness and a friction coefficient differing by a few percent from the Blasius value. For a turbulent flow a differential equation for the velocity distribution is obtained with a parameter which varies slowly with the streamwise coordinate. The numerical value of this parameter is determined as an eigenvalue of the differential equations giving a velocity profile which evolves as the boundary layer thickens. Numerical calculations using a simple eddy viscosity model gave results in very good agreement with experiment.

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Abbreviations

b :

a parameter which occurs in the expression for dimensionless eddy viscosity

c 1, c 2 :

constants occurring in the friction law

C f :

friction coefficient = \({{\tau _W } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\tau _W } {\tfrac{1}{2}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\tfrac{1}{2}}}\rho u^2 _\infty\)

d :

parameter which occurs in the expression for dimensionless eddy viscosity

H :

shape factor = δ*/θ

K :

von Karman's constant

γ 0 :

pipe radius

Re + :

Reynolds' number = u τδ/υ

R θ :

Reynolds number based on momentum thickness = u τ/υ

R x :

Reynolds number = ux/ν

T :

dimensionless shear stress distribution = τ/τ w

u :

mean flow velocity in streamwise direction

u τ :

friction velocity = (τ w/ρ)1/2

u + :

dimensionless mean flow velocity = u/u τ

v :

mean flow velocity in y direction

y + :

dimensionless distance from wall = γu τ

β :

parameter which is defined as (υ/u 2 τ)(du τ/dx)

δ :

boundary layer thickness

δ*:

displacement thickness

ɛ :

eddy viscosity

η :

dimensionless distance from wall = y/δ

θ :

momentum thickness

ν :

molecular viscosity

ψ :

stream function

References

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Mei, J., Squire, W. A quasi-similarity analysis of the turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate. Appl. Sci. Res. 29, 461–473 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384166

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384166

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