NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT: Study of uniform flow over a flat plate.

OBJECTIVE: 1. To determine the boundary layer thickness ∂.

2. To draw the velocity profile (u vs. y).

u y
3. To plot Vs and compare the result with the theoretical empirical
U∝ ∂
u y 17
relation = .
U∝ ( ∂ )

INTRODUCTION:  uniform flow means fluid flowing into different parts of the fracture surface
with equal flow velocity per unit area. 

The flow over a flat plate at a Reynolds number of 750 is numerically investigated via fine Large
Eddy Simulation (LES) first, at normal (900 ) and then at oblique (450 ) incidence flow direction
with a uniform steady inlet. The results are in complete agreement to the Direct Numerical
Simulation (DNS) and experimental data, thereby serving as a validation for the present
simulations. For the normal (900 ) uniform inflow case, coherent vortices are alternatively shed
from both leading edges of the plate, whereas for the oblique (450 ) uniform inflow case the
shedding from the two sides of the plate interact strongly resulting in a quasi-periodic force
response. The normal flat plate is then analyzed with an incident gust signal with varying
amplitude and time period. For these incident coherent gust cases, a reference test case with
variable coherent inlet is first studied and the results are compared to a steady inlet simulation,
with a detailed analysis of the flow behavior and the wake response under the incident gust.
Finally, the flat plate response to 16 different gust profiles is studied. Transient drag
reconstruction for these incident coherent gust cases is then presented based on frequency
dependent transfer function and phase spectrum analysis.

APPARATUS REQUIRED: 1. wind tunnel

2. A flat plate over which boundary layer is to be observed

3. Probe mounted micrometer

4. Inclined manometer
THEORY: When a real fluid flows over a stationary surface it experiences a viscous effect
adjacent solid surface. Because of viscous effect, boundary layer is formed in the fluid. It is a
thin layer of a flowing gas or liquid in contact with a surface such as that of an airplane wing or
of the inside of a pipe. The fluid in the boundary layer is subjected to shearing forces. A range of
velocities exists across the boundary layer from maximum (U∞) to zero, provided the fluid is in
contact with the surface. And the distance from the wall to the point where the velocity is 99% of
the “free stream” velocity is known as the thickness of the boundary layer.

The Reynolds number of a fluid can be calculated through the equation

ρLU ∞
Re = …………………..(1)
μ
WORKING PEOCEDURE:
1. In order to fully open position for placing the flat plate in the wind tunnel, The
working section of the wind tunnel was slide towards left.

2. Four knurled nuts was removed from the legs of the flat plate and was placed the
plate in the working section such that the legs are located in the four holes of the
base. The nuts was tighten from outside of the the base to fix up the plate. The plate
level was made with the help of a spirit lever, by adjusting the nuts. The plate
tightly clamped with the base when it is leveled.

3. The probe was removed from the micrometer head. the micrometer was placed in
the slot of the wind tunnel just below the first hole on the plate. The probe was
placed in locating hole from top of the plate. The micrometer was clamped by
tightening screw and finally the probe movement was checked smoothly by
rotating the knurled edge of the micrometer.

4. Whether the probe tip lies flat on the plate surface was checked when it wound
right down and remains fixed to the opposite direction of the flow. Blocking
remaining four holes, the working section was slide to its initial position.

5. The tube was connected from the probe with the lower limb of the inclined
manometer and another tube was connected to the static tapping of the wind tunnel
with the upper limb of the manometer.
6. The motor was switched and adjusted a constant air velocity with the help of the
regulator.

7. The tip of the probe was brought on the plate surface at the maximum possible
lowest position and was recorded the manometer reading. The tip of the probe was
moved upward gradually and the corresponding manometers readings were
recorded at a certain intervals. After determining the free stream velocity U∞, the
reynolds number was calculated by equation (1).

8. The procedure 7 was repeated air velocities if required.

9. The motor was switched off and the working section was slide back for setting the
probe in any other hole. Repeated the procedure 3 to 8 for every setting in the new
hole.
 EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Velocity head in terms of pressure

Micrometer 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 - 6.5 7.0 8.0 9.0 -

reading in

mm

points

Calculations:
RESULT:

CONCLUSION:

ERROR ANALYSIS: