BOUNDRY LAYER PROFILE:

Abstract:
We performed the experiment in fluid mechanics lab on wind tunnel to plot the boundary layer profile
theoretically and experimentally. First of all we take the reading without flat plate and then we place the plate
inside the wind tunnel and get the reading of vertical head corresponding to constant head difference which we
get in pitot tubes in previous reading of without of plate and similarly we get the value of vertical distances
corresponding to different horizontal distances .After that we plot the boundary layer experimentally and
theoretically.

Introduction:
Since the physical description of the boundary layer by Ludwig Prandtle in 1904, there have been many
developments in this field. There are improved analytical relations for certain situations and mathematical
models, for example implemented in computational methods. However, there is not as much research done on
the manipulation of the boundary layer since the 'discovery' of the boundary layer. This can be of interest for
studies on efficiency or drag of wings of aircrafts or blades of wind turbines. The problem addressed in the
present research is to carry out experiments on boundary layers. Such experiments are needed to verify the
positive effect that is inflicted by techniques to manipulate the boundary layer. In practice, it is still difficult to
measure the velocity profiles within the boundary layer. The present study will compare results from the theory
of boundary layers with the results from experiments in the most simple setting; a flat plate at zero degrees of
incidence at modest Reynolds numbers. In the wind tunnel of the University of Twente measurements have
been carried out on the velocity profile within the boundary layer. These measurements will be compared with
the relations from theory to assess the accuracy at the measurements. In short, the goal of this study is to
measure the velocity profile in the boundary layer of the flat plate and compare the results with the results from
theory.

Related theory:
Boundary Layer:
In fluid mechanics, a boundary layer is an important concept and refers to the layer of fluid in the immediate
vicinity of a bounding surface where the effects of viscosity are significant.
In the Earth's atmosphere, the atmospheric 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,
where viscous forces distort the surrounding non-viscous flow.

Types of Boundary layer:

Laminar boundary layers can be loosely classified according to their structure and the circumstances under
which they are created. The thin shear layer which develops on an oscillating body is an example of a Stokes
boundary layer, while the Blasius boundary layer refers to the well-known similarity solution near an attached
flat plate held in an oncoming unidirectional flow and Falkner–Skan boundary layer, a generalization of Blasius
profile. When a fluid rotates and viscous forces are balanced by the Coriolis effect (rather than convective
inertia), an Ekman layer forms. In the theory of heat transfer, a thermal boundary layer occurs. A surface can
have multiple types of boundary layer simultaneously.
The viscous nature of airflow reduces the local velocities on a surface and is responsible for skin friction. The
layer of air over the wing's surface that is slowed down or stopped by viscosity, is the boundary layer. There are
two different types of boundary layer flow: laminar and turbulent
Laminar boundary layer flow
The laminar boundary is a very smooth flow, while the turbulent boundary layer contains swirls or "eddies."
The laminar flow creates less skin friction drag than the turbulent flow, but is less stable. Boundary layer flow
over a wing surface begins as a smooth laminar flow. As the flow continues back from the leading edge, the
laminar boundary layer increases in thickness.
Turbulent boundary layer flow
At some distance back from the leading edge, the smooth laminar flow breaks down and transitions to a
turbulent flow. From a drag standpoint, it is advisable to have the transition from laminar to turbulent flow as
far aft on the wing as possible, or have a large amount of the wing surface within the laminar portion of the
boundary layer. The low energy laminar flow, however, tends to break down more suddenly than the turbulent
layer.

Flat Plate Boundary Layer

A laminar boundary layer over a flat plate eventually becomes turbulent over certain range of Reynolds number.
There is no unique value pf Reynolds number, for this change to happen. It mainly depends on the free stream
turbulence and surface roughness parameters. With a very fine polished wall and with a quiet free stream, one

can delay the transition. A controlling parameter such as the critical Reynolds number of transition 
may be defined. On a flat plate with a sharp leading edge in a typical free stream air flow, the transition occurs
between the Reynolds number ranges of  . So the transitional Reynolds number is normally
taken as 

The complex process of transition from laminar to turbulent flow involves the instability in the flow field. The
small disturbances imposed on the boundary layer flow will either grow (i.e. instability) or decay (stability)
depending on the location where the disturbance is introduced. If the disturbance occurs at a location
where  , then the boundary layer will return to laminar flow at that location. Disturbances imposed
on locations  will grow and the boundary layer flow becomes turbulent from this location. The
transition to turbulence involves noticeable change in the shape of boundary layer velocity profile . As
compared to laminar profiles, the turbulent velocity profiles are flatter and thicker at the same Reynolds number
. Also, they have larger velocity gradient at the wall.

There is no exact theory for turbulent flat plate flow rather many empirical models are available. To begin with
the analysis of turbulent boundary layer, let us recall the momentum-integral relation which is valid for both
laminar as well as turbulent flows.

Comparison of laminar and turbulent boundary layer profiles for flat plate.

Boundary layer thickness:

The boundary layer thickness, δ, is the distance across a boundary layer from the walls to a point where the
flow velocity has essentially reached the 'free stream' velocity, . This distance is defined normal to the wall
Wind tunnel
Wind tunnels are large tubes with air moving inside. The tunnels are used to copy the actions of an object in
flight. Researchers use wind tunnels to learn more about how an aircraft will fly. NASA uses wind tunnels to
test scale models of aircraft and spacecraft. Some wind tunnels are big enough to hold full-size versions of
vehicles. The wind tunnel moves air around an object, making it seem like the object is really flying.
Most of the time, powerful fans move air through the tube. The object to be tested is fastened in the tunnel so
that it will not move. The object can be a small model of a vehicle. It can be just a piece of a vehicle. It can be a
full-size aircraft or spacecraft. It can even be a common object like a tennis ball. The air moving around the still
object shows what would happen if the object were moving through the air. How the air moves can be studied
in different ways. Smoke or dye can be placed in the air and can be seen as it moves. Threads can be attached to
the object to show how the air is moving. Special instruments are often used to measure the force of the air on
the object.
 Wind Tunnel

Calculations:
Conclusion:

We didn’t match the velocity profile of laminar and turbulent flow. It may be due to the following reasons:

 Machine was not working properly due to which result could not come as required
 Randam error caused by the environmental conditions or personal error.
 There was no digital mechanism to note down the large number of values, so noted manually which may
contain errors.
 Not proper awareness on usage of wind tunnel machine.

Although, we could achieve good results yet experiment was very informative as it motivate us to do some
research and brain-storming.
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