Boundary Layer

TITLE : FLAT PLATE BOUNDARY LAYER

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this experiment are as follows:

 To measure the boundary layer velocity profiles and observes the growth of the
boundary layer for flat plate with smooth and rough surfaces.
 To measure the boundary layer properties for the measured velocity profiles.
 To study the effect of surface roughness on the development of boundary layer.

INTRODUCTION

The concept of boundary layer was first introduced by Ludwig Prandtl, a German
aerodynamicist in 1904. The boundary layer concept provided the link that had been
missing between theory and practice. Furthermore, the boundary layer concept
permitted the solution of viscous flow problems that would have been impossible through
application the Navier-Stokes equation to the complete flow field.

As for flow in a duct, flow in a boundary layer may be laminar or turbulent. There is no
unique value of the Reynolds number at which transition from laminar to turbulent flow
occur in a boundary layer. Among the factors that affect boundary-layer transition are
pressure gradient, surface roughness, heat transfer, body forces and free stream
disturbances.
In many real flow situations, a boundary layer develops over a long, essentially flat
surface. A qualitative picture of the boundary layer growth over a flat plate is shown in
figure 1 below.

Figure 1.1: Boundary layer on a flat plate (Vertical thickness exaggerate greatly)
 Boundary Layer

THEORY

Some measures of boundary layers are described in figure 1.2 below.

Figure 1.2 : Boundary Layer thickness definitions

The boundary layer thickness, , is defined as the distance from the surface to the point
where the velocity is within 1 percent of the stream velocity. The displacement thickness,
*, is the distance by which the solid boundary would have to be displaced in a
frictionless flow to give the same mass deficit as exists in the boundary layer.

The momentum thickness, , is define as the thickness of a layer of fluid of velocity, U

(free stream velocity), for which the momentum flux is equal to the deficit of momentum
flux through the boundary layer. The Blasius’s exact solutions to the laminar boundary
yield the following equations for the above properties.

5.0 x

Re x

1.72 x
 
Re x

0.664 x

Re x
 Boundary Layer

Due to the complexity of the flow, there is no exact solution to the turbulent boundary
layer. The velocity profile within the boundary layer commonly approximated using the
1/7 power law.
1
u  y 7
 
U  

The properties of boundary layer are approximated using the momentum integral
equation, which result in the following expression.

0.370 x
 1
Re x 5

0.0463 x
  1
Re x 5

0.036 x
 1
Re x 5

Another measure of the boundary layer is the shape factor, H, which is the ratio of the
displacement thickness to the momentum thickness, H = */. For laminar flow, H
increases from 2.6 to 3.5 at separation. For turbulent boundary layer, H increases from
1.3 to approximately 2.5 at separation.

EXPERIMENT APPARATUS
 Boundary Layer

The experiment set up consists of:

1. Airflow Bench
2. Test Apparatus
3. Total and static tube pressure probes and multi tube manometer.

Plenum
outlet

On-off
switch

Damper
control rod

PROCEDURES
 Boundary Layer

1. The apparatus has been set up on the bench as shown on figure 4 uses the flat plate
with the smooth surface for the first part of the experiment.
2. Set the pitot tube about 15mm away from the edge of the central plate.
3. Adjust the position of the central plate to set the measurement plane at the required
distance from the leading edge, say 40mm.
4. Switch on the fan and adjust the air speed to set the free stream air velocity at
medium speed.
5. Reading of the total pressure is measured using the Pitot tube for a range of about
10 points as the tube is traversed towards the plate. Initially the readings should be
almost constant showing that the probe is in the free stream outside the boundary
layer. Should it not be so, go back and start further from the plate.
6. As the pressure begins to fall the increment of advance should be reduced so as to
clearly define the velocity profile. The pressure reading will not fall to zero as the
Pitot tube has a finite thickness. A further indication that the wall has been reached is
that the pressure readings will be constant.
7. Repeat the experiment to set the measurement plane at 150 mm.
8. Repeat the entire experiment for the rough surface.

RESULT AND CALCULATION

 Boundary Layer

TABULATION OF DATA AND SAMPLE CALCULATION:

1. Smooth surface with distance from the leading edge, x = 40

Room temperature: 30 C
air = 1.177 kg/m3
 = 1.30 x 10-5 m2/s
oil = 784 kg/m3

2  o gh
Free stream velocity, U = m/s
a

2  784  9.81  22  10 3
= m/s
1.177
= 16.96 m/s

Ux
Reynolds number, Rex =

16.96  40  10 3
=
1.30  10  5
= 52184.6

2. Smooth surface with distance from the leading edge, x = 150

 Boundary Layer

Room temperature: 30 C
air = 1.177 kg/m3
 = 1.30 x 10-5 m2/s
oil = 784 kg/m3

2  o gh
Free stream velocity U = m/s
a

2  784  9.81  22  103

= m/s
1.177
= 16.96m/s

Ux
Reynolds number, Rex=

16.96  150  10 3
=
1.30  10 5
= 195692.3

3. Rough surface with distance from the leading edge, x = 40

Room temperature: 30 C
 Boundary Layer

air = 1.177 kg/m3

 = 1.30 x 10-5 m2/s
oil = 784 kg/m3

2  o gh
Free stream velocity U = m/s
a

2  784  9.81  26  103

= m/s
1.177
= 18.43m/s

Ux
Reynolds number, Rex =

18.43  40  10 3
=
1.30  10  5
= 56718.2

4. Rough surface with distance from the leading edge, x = 150

Room temperature: 30 C
air = 1.177 kg/m3
 Boundary Layer

 = 1.30 x 10-5 m2/s

oil = 784 kg/m3

2  o gh
Free stream velocity U = m/s
a

2  784  9.81  22  103

= m/s
1.177
= 16.96 m/s

Ux
Reynolds number, Re =

16.96  150  10 3
=
1.30  10 5
= 195692.3

TABLE:
Table 1: Tabulation of data for smooth surface with x = 40mm
 Boundary Layer

Static Total Differential Free

Micrometer u u  u
pressure pressure manometer stream Reynolds
reading
manometer,manometer, height velocity, number U U 1  U 
y (mm)
h (mm) h (mm) h (mm) U (m/s)
0 100 122 22 16.96 52184.62 0.767 0.179
0.5 100 126 26 18.43 56707.69 0.705 0.208
1.0 100 128 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
1.5 100 128 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
2.0 100 128 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
2.5 102 130 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
3.0 102 130 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
3.5 102 130 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
4.0 102 130 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218
4.5 102 130 28 19.13 58861.54 0.680 0.218

Table 2: Tabulation of data for smooth surface with x = 150mm

 Boundary Layer

Static Total Differential Free

Micrometer u  
pressure pressure manometer stream Reynolds u u
reading 1  
manometer,manometer, height velocity, number U U  U 
y (mm)
h (mm) h (mm) h (mm) U (m/s)
0 100 122 22 16.96 195692.3 0.767 0.179
0.5 100 126 26 18.43 212693.3 0.705 0.208
1.0 100 128 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
1.5 100 130 30 19.80 228469.3 0.657 0.225
2.0 100 130 30 19.80 228469.3 0.657 0.225
2.5 100 132 32 20.45 235962.1 0.636 0.232
3.0 102 132 30 19.80 228469.3 0.657 0.225
3.5 102 132 30 19.80 228469.3 0.657 0.225
4.0 102 132 30 19.80 228469.3 0.657 0.225
4.5 102 132 30 19.80 228469.3 0.657 0.225

Table 3: Tabulation of data for rough surface with x = 40mm

 Boundary Layer

Static Total Differential Free

Micrometer u u  u
pressure pressure manometer stream Reynolds
reading
manometer,manometer, height velocity, number U U 1  U 
y (mm)
h (mm) h (mm) h (mm) U (m/s)
0 100 126 26 18.43 56718.2 0.705 0.208
0.5 100 128 28 19.13 58861.5 0.680 0.218
1.0 100 128 28 19.13 58861.5 0.680 0.218
1.5 100 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225
2.0 102 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225
2.5 102 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225
3.0 102 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225
3.5 102 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225
4.0 102 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225
4.5 102 130 30 19.80 60925.1 0.657 0.225

Table 4: Tabulation of data for rough surface with x = 150mm

 Boundary Layer

Static Total Differential Free

Micrometer u
pressure pressure manometer stream Reynolds u  u 
reading
manometer,manometer, height velocity, number U 1  
y (mm) U  U 
h (mm) h (mm) h (mm) U (m/s)
0 100 122 22 16.96 195692.3 0.767 0.179
0.5 100 124 24 17.71 204349.1 0.734 0.195
1.0 100 126 26 18.43 212693.3 0.705 0.208
1.5 100 128 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
2.0 102 130 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
2.5 102 130 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
3.0 102 130 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
3.5 102 130 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
4.0 102 130 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218
4.5 102 130 28 19.13 220730.8 0.680 0.218

A. Sample calculation for boundary layer thickness, , displacement thickness,  ,

momentum thickness,  and shape factor, H by using experimental.
 Boundary Layer

For smooth surface with x = 40mm

i. Boundary layer thickness,  = 15mm

ii. Displacement thickness,   = A1 x 
= 0.11 x 15
= 1.65 mm
iii. Momentum thickness,  = A2 x 
= 0.061 x 15
= 0.915 mm

iv. Shape factor, H =

1.65
=
0.915
= 1.803

For smooth surface with x = 150mm

i. Boundary layer thickness,  = 15mm

ii. Displacement thickness,   = A3 x 
= 0.0963 x 15
= 1.445 mm
iii. Momentum thickness,  = A4 x 
= 0.07 x 15
= 1.05 mm

iv. Shape factor, H =

1.445
=
1.05
= 1.376

For rough surface with x = 40mm

i. Boundary layer thickness,  = 15mm

 Boundary Layer

ii. Displacement thickness,   = A5 x 

= 0.0835 x 15
= 1.25 mm
iii. Momentum thickness,  = A6 x 
= 0.065 x 15
= 0.975 mm

iv. Shape factor, H =

1.25
=
0.975
= 1.282

For rough surface with x = 150mm

i. Boundary layer thickness,  = 15mm

ii. Displacement thickness,   = A7 x 
= 0.0979 x 15
= 1.469 mm
iii. Momentum thickness,  = A8 x 
= 0.0726 x 15
= 1.089 mm

iv. Shape factor, H =

1.469
=
1.089
= 1.349

B. Sample calculation for boundary layer thickness, , displacement thickness,  ,

momentum thickness,  and shape factor, H by using theoretical.

LAMINAR BOUNDARY LAYER

 Boundary Layer

For smooth surface with x = 40mm

5 .0 x
i.  
Re x

5.0  0.04

52184.62
 8.755  10  4 m
 0.876 mm

1.72 x
ii.  


Re x

1.72  0.04

52184.62
 3.012  10  4 m
 0.301 mm

0.664 x
iii.   Re x

0.664  0.04

52184.62
 1.163  10 4 m
 0.116 mm


iv. H 

0.301

0.116
 2.595

For smooth surface with x = 150mm

5 .0 x
i.  
Re x
 Boundary Layer

5.0  0.15

195692.3
 1.695  10  3 m
 1.695 mm

1.72 x
ii.  


Re x

1.72  0.15

195692.3
 5.832  10 4 m
 0.583 mm

0.664 x
iii.  
Re x

0.664  0.15

195692.3
 2.252  10 4 m
 0.225 mm


iv. H 

0.583

0.225
 2.591

For rough surface with x = 40mm

5 .0 x
i.  
Re x
 Boundary Layer

5.0  0.04

56718.2
 8.398  10  4 m
 0.840 mm

1.72 x
ii.  


Re x

1.72  0.04

56718.2
 2.889  10  4 m
 0.289mm

0.664 x
iii.  
Re x

0.664  0.04

56718.2
 1.115  10 4 m
 0.112 mm


iv. H 

0.289

0.112
 2.591

For rough surface with x = 150mm

5 .0 x
i.  
Re x
 Boundary Layer

5.0  0.15

195692.3
 1.695  10  3 m
 1.695 mm

1.72 x
ii.  


Re x

1.72  0.15

195692.3
 5.832  10 4 m
 0.583 mm

0.664 x
iii.   Re x

0.664  0.15

195692.3
 2.252  10  4 m
 0.225 mm


iv. H 

0.583

0.225
 2.591

TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYER

For smooth surface with x = 40mm

0.370 x
i.  1
(Re x ) 5
 Boundary Layer

0.370  0.04
 1
(52184.6) 5

 1.686  10  3 m
 1.686mm

0.0463 x
ii.  

1
(Re) 5

0.0463  0.04
 1
(52184.6) 5

 2.109  10 4 m
 0.2109 mm

0.036 x
iii.   1
(Re x ) 5

0.036  0.04
 1
(52184.6) 5

 1.640  10 4 m
 0.164mm


iv. H 

0.2109

0.1640
 1.286

For smooth surface with x = 150mm

0.370 x
i.  1
(Re x ) 5
 Boundary Layer

0.370  0.15
 1
(195692.3) 5

 4.853  10 3 m
 4.853 mm

0.0463 x
ii.  

1
(Re) 5

0.0463  0.15
 1
(195692.3) 5

 6.072  10 4 m
 0.6072 mm

0.036 x
iii.   1
(Re x ) 5

0.036  0.15
 1
(195692.3) 5

 4.721  10 4 m
 0.4721mm


iv. H 

0.6072

0.4721
 1.286

For rough surface with x = 40mm

0.370 x
i.  1
(Re x ) 5
 Boundary Layer

0.370  0.04
 1
(56718.2) 5

 1.658  10 3 m
 1.658 mm

0.0463 x
ii.   1
(Re) 5

0.0463  0.04
 1
(56718.2) 5

 2.074  10 4 m
 0.2074 mm

0.036 x
iii.  1
(Re x ) 5

0.036  0.04
 1
(56718.2) 5

 1.613  10 4 m
 0.1613 mm


iv. H 

0.2074

0.1613
 1.286

For rough surface with x = 150mm (refer to data D)

0.370 x
i.  1
(Re x ) 5
 Boundary Layer

0.370  0.15
 1
(195692.3) 5

 4.853  10 3 m
 4.853 mm

0.0463 x
ii.  

1
(Re) 5

0.0463  0.15
 1
(195692.3) 5

 6.072  10 4 m
 0.6072 mm

0.036 x
iii.  1
(Re x ) 5

0.036  0.15
 1
(195692.3) 5

 4.721  10 4 m
 0.4721mm

iv. H 

0.6072

0.4721
 1.286

TABLE 5: Table of comparison for smooth and rough surface under experimental value
and theoretical.

For smooth surface: 40mm ( Rex =52184.6)

EXPERIMENT THEORY
(m) LAMINAR ( m ) TURBULENT ( m )
 Boundary Layer

 15 x 10-3 8.03 x 10-4 1.628 x 10-3

* 1.65 x 10-3 3.333 x 10-4 2.038 x 10-4
 0.915 x 10-3 1.287 x 10-4 1.584 x 10-4
H 1.808 2.591 1.287

For smooth surface: 150mm (Rex =195692.3)

EXPERIMENT THEORY
(m) LAMINAR ( m ) TURBULENT ( m )
 15 x 10-3 1.528 x 10 -3
4.655 x 10-3
* 1.445 x10-3 5.257 x 10-4 5.825 x 10-4
 1.05 x 10-3 2.029 x 10 -4
4.529 x 10-4
H 1.376 2.591 1.286

For rough surface: 40mm (Rex =56718.2)

EXPERIMENT THEORY
(m) LAMINAR ( m ) TURBULENT ( m )
 15 x 10-3 8.127 x 10 -4
1.636 x 10-3
* 1.25 x 10-3 2.796 x 10 -4
2.047 x 10-4
 0.975 x 10-3 1.079 x 10-4 1.592 x 10-4
H 1.282 2.591 1.286

For rough surface: 150mm (Rex =195692.3)

EXPERIMENT THEORY
(m) LAMINAR ( m ) TURBULENT ( m )
 15 x 10-3 1.584 x 10-3 4.722 x 10-3
* 1.469 x 10-3 5.449 x 10 -4
5.909 x 10-4
 1.089 x 10-3 2.103 x 10-4 4.595 x 10-4
H 1.349 2.591 1.268

DISCUSSION

 The micrometer reading (y) has to be started from 1.0mm as shown in the table 1,
table 2, table 3 and table 4.
 Boundary Layer

y u
 The value of displacement thickness (*) is obtained by the graph of  vs U .


 The value of momentum thickness () is obtained by the graph of

y u  u 
vs 1  .
 U  U 

CONCLUSION

This experiment, we can say that the various boundary layer velocity profiles such as
boundary layer thickness (), displacement thickness (*), momentum thickness () and
shape factor (H) are depend on the distance from the leading edge and the surface
condition. All the result is as state in table 5. From the table, the boundary layer property
is increasing between smooth and rough surface. Another facts that we can conclude
are the micrometer reading (y) for the smooth surface is lower than the rough surface. It
is because the free stream at rough surface occurs faster than the smooth surface. Also
as expected  is increasing with increasing distance from leading edge for both smooth
and rough surface. From experiment note that shape factor decreasing as distance from
leading edge increasing showing boundary layer is changing from laminar to turbulent.

REFERENCES:
1. FLUID MECHANICS, J. F. Douglas, J. M. Gasiorek, J. A. Swaffield, Third Edition,
Longman Scientific & Technical
2. INTRODUCTION TO FLUID MECHANICS, Robert W. Fox, Alan McDonald,
Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons.