OBJECTIVES

There are 3 main objectives are:

1. To measure the boundary layer velocity layer and observe the growth of the

boundary layer for the flat plate with smooth and rough surface.

2. To measure the boundary layer properties for the measured velocity profile.

3. To study the effect of surface roughness on the development of the boundary

layer.

INTRODUCTION

When a viscous fluid flows along a fixed impermeable wall, or past the rigid surface of an
immersed body, an essential condition is that the velocity at any point on the wall or other fixed
surface is zero. The extent to which this condition modifies the general character of the flow
depends upon the value of the viscosity. If the body is of streamlined shape and if the viscosity is
small without being negligible, the modifying effect appears to be confined within narrow
regions adjacent to the solid surfaces; these are called boundary layers. Within such layers
the fluid velocity changes rapidly from zero to its main-stream value, and this may imply a steep
gradient of shearing stress; as a consequence, not all the viscous terms in the equation of
motion will be negligible, even though the viscosity, which they contain as a factor, is itself
very small. A more precise criterion for the existence of a well-defined laminar boundary layer is
that the Reynolds number should be large, though not so large as to imply a breakdown of the
laminar flow.
THEORY

Early in the 20th century the theory of the mechanics of fluids in motion had two seemingly
compelling fields of study. On one hand there was hydrodynamics – the theory that described the
flow over surfaces and bodies assuming the flow to be inviscid, incompressible and irrotational –
and on the other hand there was the field of hydraulics which was a mainly experimental field
concerning the behavior of fluids in machinery like pipes, pumps and ships. Ludwig Prandtl
provided a theory to connect these fields. He presented his boundary layer theory in 1904 at the
third Congress of Mathematicians in Heidelberg, Germany. A boundary is the thin region of flow
adjacent to a surface, the layer in which the flow is influenced by the friction between the solid
surface and the fluid.

The viscosity of the fluid in motion cannot be neglected in all regions. This leads to the no-
slip condition. Flow at the surface of the body is at rest relative to that body. A boundary layer is
that layer of fluid in the immediate vicinity of a bounding surface, where viscous effects are
important. In the Earth’s atmosphere the planetary boundary layer is the air layer near the ground
affected by diurnal heat, moisture or momentum transfer to or from the surface. On an aircraft
wing the boundary layer is the part of the flow close to the wing. The boundary layer effect occurs
at the field region in which all changes occur in the flow pattern. The boundary layer distorts
surrounding non-viscous flow. It is a phenomenon of viscous forces. This effect is related to the
Reynolds number.

The boundary layer thickness, δ, is used for a thickness beyond which the velocity is
essentially the free stream velocity, U. This is customarily defined as the distance from the wall to
the point where

u|y=δ ≡ 0.99U
 The displacement thickness δ*, is the distance by which the solid boundary would have to
be displaced in a frictionless flow the same mass deficit exists in the boundary layer. The
mathematical definition of the displacement thickness for incompressible flow is given by

∞ u
δ ∗ = ∫0 (1 − U) 𝑑𝑦

The momentum thickness θ, is defined as the thickness of the layer fluid of velocity, U
(free stream velocity), for which the momentum flux is equal to the deficit of momentum flux
through the boundary layer. Mathematically it is defined as

∞𝑢 𝑢
θ = ∫0 (1 − 𝑈) 𝑑𝑦
𝑈

The equation for velocity measured by pitot tube is given as

2(ρg∆h)
u=√ ρ

The Blasius’s exact solution to the laminar boundary layer yields the following equations
for above properties.

5.0x
δ =
√Rex
 1.72x
δ∗ =
√Rex

0.664x
θ =
√Rex

Due to the complexity of the flow, there is no exact solution to the turbulent boundary
layer. The properties of the boundary layer are approximated using the momentum integral
equation which results in the following expression:

0.37x
δ = 1
(Re)5

0.0463x
δ∗ = 1
(Re)5

0.036x
θ = 1
(Re)5

Another measured of the boundary layer is the shape factor, H, which is the ratio
displacement thickness to the momentum thickness, H=δ*/θ. For laminar flow, H increase from
2.6 to 3.5 at separation. For turbulent boundary layer, H increase from 1.3 to approximately 2.5 at
separation.
APPARATUS

1. Airflow bench – provide adjustable air stream which enables a series of experiment to be
connected.
2. Test apparatus – consists of rectangular duct with flat plate. One side of the plate is smooth
and other is rough. Pitot tube is set in zero plane scale. By moving the plate up and down,
the leading edge can be set to given distance from pitot tube tip.
3. Micrometer scale – to measure the displacement of pitot tube from wall.
4. Velocity measurement – velocity is measured using total and static probes which connected
to multi-tube manometer.

Multi-tube manometer Flat plate Pitot tube set Micrometer

PROCEDURES
1. The apparatus has been setup on the bench. Smooth surface of the plate is used for the first
part of the experiment.
2. The position of the central plate was adjusted to set the measurement plate at the required
distance from the leading edge which is 50 mm.
3. The fan was switched on and the air flow speed to set the air stream velocity at medium
speed. The total pressure of the pitot tube was read for a range of several points as the tube
traverse away from the plate at an interval of 0.25 mm.
4. As the pressure begins to fall, the increment of the advanced should be reduced so as to
clearly define the velocity profile. The pressure reading will not fall to zero as the Pitot
tube has finite thickness. A further indication that the wall has been reach is that the
pressure reading will be zero.
5. Step 2 to step 4 were repeated for setup measurement plane at 200 mm.
6. The entire experiment was repeated for the rough surface plate.
RESULT AND DATA

Test 1: Smooth Surface Plate

Distance from leading edge, x: 0.05 m
Free stream velocity, U: 22.75 m/s
Re: 0.75 X 105

Static Total Differential Differential

Micrometer
pressure pressure manometer manometer u (u/U)x
No. reading, y u/U
manometer, Manometer height height (m/s) (1-u/U)
(mm)
(mbar) (mbar) (mbar) h, (mm)
1 0.00 9.5 11.4 1.9 24.32 17.63 0.77 0.17

2 0.25 9.5 11.5 2.0 25.60 18.08 0.79 0.16

3 0.50 9.5 11.5 2.0 25.60 18.08 0.79 0.16

4 0.75 9.5 11.8 2.3 29.44 19.39 0.85 0.13

5 1.00 9.5 12.0 2.5 32.00 20.22 0.89 0.10

6 1.25 9.5 12.2 2.7 34.56 21.01 0.92 0.07

7 1.50 9.5 12.2 2.7 34.56 21.01 0.92 0.07

8 1.75 9.5 12.4 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.96 0.04

9 2.00 9.5 12.4 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.96 0.04

10 2.25 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

11 2.50 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

12 2.75 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

13 3.00 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

14 3.25 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

15 3.50 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

16 3.75 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

Test 2: Smooth Surface Plate
Distance from leading edge, x: 0.2 m
Free stream velocity, U: 32.56 m/s
Re: 1.07 X 106

Static Total Differential Differential

Micrometer
No pressure pressure manometer manometer u (u/U)x
reading, y u/U
. manometer, Manometer height height (m/s) (1-u/U)
(mm)
(mbar) (mbar) (mbar) h, (mm)

1 0.00 9.3 11.4 2.1 26.88 18.53 0.57 0.25

2 0.25 9.3 11.4 2.1 26.88 18.53 0.57 0.25

3 0.50 9.3 11.6 2.3 29.44 19.39 0.60 0.24

4 0.75 9.3 11.8 2.5 32.00 20.22 0.62 0.24

5 1.00 9.3 12.0 2.7 34.56 21.01 0.65 0.23

6 1.25 9.3 12.2 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.67 0.22

7 1.50 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.69 0.21

8 1.75 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.69 0.21

9 2.00 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

10 2.25 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

11 2.50 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

12 2.75 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

13 3.0 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

14 3.25 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

15 3.5 9.3 12.6 3.3 42.24 23.23 0.71 0.20

 Test 3: Rough Surface Plate
Distance from leading edge, x: 0.05 m
Free stream velocity, U: 22.75 m/s
Re: 0.75 X 105

Static Total Differential Differential

Micrometer
No pressure pressure manometer manometer u (u/U)x
reading, y u/U
. manometer, Manometer height height (m/s) (1-u/U)
(mm)
(mbar) (mbar) (mbar) h, (mm)
1 0.00 9.5 11.8 2.3 29.44 19.39 0.85 0.15

2 0.25 9.5 12.1 2.6 33.28 20.61 0.91 0.09

3 0.50 9.5 12.2 2.7 34.56 21.01 0.92 0.08

4 0.75 9.5 12.4 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.96 0.04

5 1.00 9.5 12.4 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.96 0.04

6 1.25 9.5 12.4 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.96 0.04

7 1.50 9.5 12.5 3.0 38.4 22.15 0.97 0.03

8 1.75 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

9 2.00 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

10 2.25 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

11 2.50 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

12 2.75 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

13 3.00 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

14 3.25 9.5 12.6 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

Test 4: Rough Surface Plate
Distance from leading edge, x: 0.2 m
Free stream velocity, U: 24.51 m/s
Re: 3 X 105
Static Total Differential Differential
Micrometer
No pressure pressure manometer manometer u (u/U)x
reading, y u/U
. manometer, Manometer height height (m/s) (1-u/U)
(mm)
(mbar) (mbar) (mbar) h, (mm)
1 0.00 9.3 11.3 2 25.60 18.08 0.79 0.16

2 0.25 9.3 11.7 2.4 30.72 19.81 0.87 0.11

3 0.50 9.3 11.9 2.6 33.28 20.62 0.91 0.08

4 0.75 9.3 12.0 2.7 34.56 21.01 0.92 0.07

5 1.00 9.3 12.2 2.9 37.12 21.78 0.96 0.04

6 1.25 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

7 1.50 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

8 1.75 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

9 2.00 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

10 2.25 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

11 2.50 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

12 2.75 9.3 12.4 3.1 39.68 22.52 0.99 0.01

SAMPLE OF CALCULATION

Smooth surface with distance from the leading edge, x = 0.05m

air = 1.204 kg/m3
μair = 1.825 x 10-5 m2/s
oil = 784 kg/m3

2  o gh
Velocity, u = m/s
a
2  784  9.81  24.32  10 3
= m/s
1.204
= 17.63 m/s

Free stream velocity, U = highest value of u / 0.99

= 22.52 ÷ 0.99
= 22.75

Reynolds number, Rex = ρairUX

μair
1.204  22.52  0.05
=
1.825  10 5
= 0.75 X 105 < 500000 (laminar)
Sample calculation for boundary layer thickness, () displacement thickness, () momentum
thickness, () by using theoretical

For smooth surface with x = 50mm

5.0 x
  
Re x
5.0 (50)
= √75000
= 0.9129mm

1.72 x
  
Re x
1.72 (50)
= √75000
= 0.314mm

0.664 x
 
Re x
0.664 (50)
= √75000
= 0.1212mm
Sample calculation for boundary layer thickness, () displacement thickness, () momentum
thickness, () for experimental values

 Boundary layer thickness,  = 1.0 mm

 Displacement thickness, δ* =∫(1- u/U)dy

=∫ ( 1- (y/ δ) 1/7)dy
=1/8(δ)
= 1/8(1.0)
= 0.125 mm

 Momentum thickness, Ө =∫ u/U( 1- u/U)

=∫ (y/ δ) 1/7)(1- (y/ δ) 1/7)
=7/72(δ)
= 7/72(1.0)
= 0.0972 mm

test1 graph y versus u/U

3

2.5
micrometer reading,y (mm)

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
u/U
 test1 graph y vs (u/U)(1-u/U)
3

2.5

2
height,y (mm)

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
(u/U)(1-u/U)

test2, y vs u/U
4

3.5

2.5
height,y (mm)

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
u/U
 test2 y vs (u/U)(1-u/U)
4

3.5

3
height, y (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
(u/U)(1-u/U)

test3 y vs u/U
4

3.5

3
height,y (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
u/U
 test3 y vs (u/U)(1-u/U)
4

3.5

2.5
height,y (mm)

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
(u/U)(1-u/U)

test4 y vs u/U
4.5

3.5

3
height,y (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
u/U
 test4 y vs (u/U)(1-u/U)
4.5

3.5

3
height, y (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
(u/U)(1-u/U)

boundary layer displacement momentum thickness,

thickness, () (mm) thickness, () (mm) ()
Test1 theoretical 0.9129 0.3140 0.1212
Test1 experimental 1.0 0.125 0.0972
Test2 theoretical 3.0513 1.0497 0.4052
Test2 experimental 2.0 0.2500 0.1944
Test3 theoretical 0.9129 0.3140 0.1212
Test3 experimental 2.0 0.2500 0.1944
Test4 theoretical 1.8257 0.6281 0.2425
Test4 experimental 2.75 0.3438 0.2674
REFERENCES

i. P.M Gerhart, R.J. Gross and J.I. Hochstein, Fundamentals of fluid Mechanics, 2nd Edition,
1992.
ii. F.M White, Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill, 4th Edition, 1999.
iii. Fundamental of Fluid Mechanics, B.r. Munson, D.F. Young and T.H. Okiishi, John Wiley
and Sons, 3rd Edition, 1998
iv. Yunus A. Çengel and John M. Cimbala, 2010, Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals And
Applications Second Edition In SI Unit, Published By McGraw Hill International Edition.
In Singapore.
v. A.Cengel, Y., & John M. Cimbala. (N.D.), Fluid Mechanics Fundamental And
Applications, (2nd Edition).