PRATICAL ACTIVITY

TITLE :- BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY, THICKNES

Name :- Shubham Pravin Mahajan​

Roll no.:- 2391​
Subject: -  FLUID MECHANICS
​PRN no :- 220200198
Boundary Layers :-
In fluid mechanics, Boundary Layers is a thin layer of a flowing gas
or liquid in contact with a surface such as that of the inside of a pipe.
The condition of zero fluid velocity at the solid surface is referred to
as ‘no slip’ and the layer of fluid between the surface and the free stream fluid is
termed BOUNDARY LAYER.
• When a real fluid flow past a solid body or a solid wall, the fluid particles adhere to
the boundary and condition of no slip occurs. This means that the velocity of fluid
close to the boundary will be same as that of the boundary.
• If the boundary is stationary, the velocity of fluid at the boundary will be zero.
Farther away from the boundary, the velocity will be higher and as a result of this
variation of velocity, the velocity gradient du/dy will exit. The velocity of fluid
increases from zero velocity on the stationary boundary to free stream velocity (U)
of the fluid in the direction normal to the boundary.
• Because of this velocity gradient the fluid exerts a shear stress on the wall in the
direction of motion. The value of shear stress is given by
Laminar & turbulent zones in boundary layer
• Laminar zone: Near the leading edge of
the surface of plate, where the thickness
is small, the flow in the boundary layer is
laminar. This is shown by AB.
• Transition zone:
The short length over which the boundary
layer flow changes from laminar to
turbulent is called transition zone. This is
shown by BC.
• Turbulent zone:
For down stream to the transition zone ,
the boundary layer is turbulent and
continuous to grow in thickness. This
layer is called turbulent. This is shown by 4

CD.
There are Four main definitions of boundary layers :

1. Boundary layer thickness

2. Displacement thickness

3. Momentum thickness

4. Energy thickness

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 Boundary layer thickness
• It is defined as the distance from the boundary of the solid body measure in the y-
direction to the point, where the velocity of the fluid is approximately equal to 0.99 times
the free stream velocity of the fluid.

• This variation of velocity from zero to 99%free stream velocity in the direction normal to
the boundary takes place in a narrow region in the vicinity of solid boundary. This narrow
region of the fluid is called boundary layer. The theory dealing with boundary layer flows
is called boundary layer theory.

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 Boundary Layer

Thickness

It is defined as the distance by which the boundary should be displaced to

compensate for the reduction in flow rate of mass of the flowing fluid on account of boundary layer
formation.
δ(x) is the boundary layer thickness when u(y) =0.99V
 V is the free-stream velocity
 The purpose of the boundary layer is to allow the fluid to change its velocity from the upstream
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value of V to zero on the surface

 Displacement Thickness

The displacement thickness for the boundary layer is defined as the

distance the surface would have to move in the y-direction to reduce the flow passing
by a volume equivalent to the real effect of the boundary layer.

δ*= 0δ (1 − 𝑢/𝑈𝑠)dy
 Mathematically :

Where b is plate width

 MOMENTUM THICKNESS

 Momentum thickness is a measure of the boundary layer thickness.

 It is defined as the distance by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate

for the reduction in momentum of the flowing fluid on account of boundary layer

formation

 The momentum thickness, symbolized by Ө is the distance that, when multiplied by

the square of the free-stream velocity, equals the integral of the momentum defect,

across the boundary layer. 10

Mathematically :

which by definition is the momentum flux in a layer of uniform speed U and thickness Ө.That is,

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 ENERGY THICKNESS

 Momentum thickness is a measure of the boundary layer thickness.

 It is defined as the distance by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate

for the reduction in kinetic energy of the flowing fluid on account of boundary layer

formation

 The energy thickness, symbolized by Ө** is the distance that, when multiplied by the

cube of the free-stream velocity, equals the integral of the energy defect, across the

boundary layer. 12
Applications Of Boundary Layer Theory
 Aerodynamics (Airplanes, Rockets, Projectiles)

 Hydrodynamics (Ships, Submarines, Torpedoes)

 Transportation (Automobiles, Trucks, Cycles)

 Wind Engineering (Buildings, Bridges, Water Towers)

 Ocean Engineering (Buoys, breakwaters, Cables).

THANK YOU