TITLE: FLAT PLATE BOUNDARY LAYER

1.0 OBJECTIVE:
1. To measure the boundary layer velocity layer and observed 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 studied the effect of surface roughness on the development of the boundary layer.

2.0 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

In physics and fluid mechanics, a boundary layer is 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
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, where viscous forces distort the surrounding non-viscous flow.
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 attached a flat plate held in an oncoming
unidirectional flow. 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.

Figure 1

2.1 Boundary Layer Properties:

1) Boundary layer thickness,
The boundary layer thickness, , is the distance across a boundary layer from the wall to a
point where the flow velocity has essentially reached the 'free stream' velocity, . This distance
is defined normal to the wall, and the point where the flow velocity is essentially that of the free
stream is customarily defined as the point where:

2) Displacement thickness, *
The displacement thickness, * is the distance by which a surface would have to be moved in
the direction parallel to its normal vector towards the reference plane in an inviscid fluid stream
of velocity
to give the same flow rate as occurs between the surface and the reference plane
in a real fluid
The definition of the displacement thickness for compressible flow is based on mass flow rate:

The definition for incompressible flow can be based on volumetric flow rate, as the density is
constant:

Where
and
are the density and velocity in the 'free stream' outside the boundary layer,
and is the coordinate normal to the wall.
For boundary layer calculations, the density and velocity at the edge of the boundary layer must
be used, as there is no free stream. In the equations above,
and
are therefore replaced
with
and .

3) Momentum thickness,
The momentum thickness, is the distance by which a surface would have to be moved
parallel to itself towards the reference plane in an inviscid fluid stream of velocity
to give the
same total momentum as exists between the surface and the reference plane in a real fluid.
The definition of the momentum thickness for compressible flow is based on mass flow rate:

The definition for incompressible flow can be based on volumetric flow rate, as the density is
constant:

10

Where
and
are the density and velocity in the 'free stream' outside the boundary layer,
and is the coordinate normal to the wall.
For boundary layer calculations, the density and velocity at the edge of the boundary layer must
be used, as there is no free stream. In the equations above,
and
are therefore replaced
with and .

4) Blasius solution

The Blasiuss exact solution to the laminar boundary layer yields the following equations for the
above properties.

5)
Due to the complexity of the flow, there is no exact solution to the turbulent boundary layer. The
velocity profile within the boundary layer is commonly approximated using the 1/7 power law.

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

11

where
is the overall thickness (or height) of the boundary layer
is the kinematic viscosity
is the distance downstream from the start of the boundary layer
is the Reynolds Number
is the density
is the freestream velocity
is the dynamic viscosity

6) Shape factor, H
A shape factor is used in boundary layer flow to determine the nature of the flow.

where H is the shape factor, is the displacement thickness and is the momentum
thickness. The higher the value of H, the stronger the adverse pressure gradient. A high
adverse pressure gradient can greatly reduce the Reynolds number at which transition
into turbulence may occur. Conventionally, H=2.6 is typical of laminar flows, while H=1.3 is
typical of turbulent flows.

12

3.0 APPARATUS

3
4

Figure 1: Apparatus

1.
2.
3.
4.

Airflow bench
Micrometre scale
Velocity measurement (multi-tube manometer)
Test apparatus

13

Figure 4.1: Test apparatus (rough)

4.0

Figure 4.2: Test apparatus (smooth)

PROCEDURE
A. The apparatus has been set up on the bench as shown. Smooth surface of the plat has
been used for the first part of the experiment.
b. We must alter the position of the central plate and set the measurement plane at the
required distance from the leading edge which is 50mm.
c. Then switch on the fan and adjust the air speed so that the free stream air velocity at
medium speed can be set.
d. 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 at an interval of 0.05mm. 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.
e. As the pressure begins to fall the increment of advance should be reduced so that we
can 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.
f. Repeat step b to step e of the experiment to set the measurement plane at 200 mm.
g. After that, repeat step the entire experiment for the rough surface.

14

5.0 DATA AND RESULT

TEST 1 (smooth plate) : Distance from leading edge, x (m) =0.05m

Micrometer
reading, y(mm)

Static pressure
manometer,
P(mbar)

0
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25

7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4

Pitot Tube
Pressure
Manometer,
P(mbar)
9.4
9.6
9.8
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.4

Differential
manometer
height,
h(mBar)
2.0
2.2
2.4
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

*manometer reading, 5mBar =64mm

Free stream velocity, U = 22.15 m/s
Reynolds number, U/= 73064.66

15

Differential
manometer
height, h(mm)

Velocity, u(m/s)

Velocity profile
u/U

(u/U)(1-u/U)

25.60
28.20
30.70
35.80
35.80
35.80
35.80
38.40
38.40
38.40
38.40
38.40
38.40
38.40

18.08
18.98
19.80
21.39
21.39
21.39
21.39
22.15
22.15
22.15
22.15
22.15
22.15
22.15

0.816
0.857
0.894
0.966
0.966
0.966
0.966
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

0.114
0.123
0.095
0.033
0.033
0.033
0.033
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000

TEST 2 (smooth plate) : Distance from leading edge, x (m) =0.2m

Micrometer
reading, y(mm)

Static pressure
manometer,
P(mbar)

0
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00

7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2

Pitot Tube
Pressure
Manometer,
P(mbar)
9.8
10.0
10.2
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6

Differential
manometer
height,
h(mBar)
2.6
2.8
3
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4

*manometer reading, 5mBar =64mm

Free stream velocity, U = 23.58 m/s
Reynolds number, U/= 311126.79

16

Differential
manometer
height, h(mm)

Velocity, u(m/s)

Velocity profile
u/U

(u/U)(1-u/U)

33.28
35.84
38.40
40.96
40.96
40.96
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52

20.62
21.40
22.15
22.88
22.88
22.88
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58

0.874
0.908
0.940
0.970
0.970
0.970
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

0.110
0.084
0.056
0.029
0.029
0.029
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000

TEST 3 (rough plate) : Distance from leading edge, x (m) =0.05m

Micrometer
reading, y(mm)

Static pressure
manometer,
P(mbar)

0
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25

7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4

Pitot Tube
Pressure
Manometer,
P(mbar)
9.8
10.0
10.2
10.2
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6

Differential
manometer
height,
h(mBar)
2.4
2.6
2.8
2.8
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2

*manometer reading, 5mBar =64mm

Free stream velocity, U = 22.88 m/s
Reynolds number, U/= 75472.66

TEST 4 (rough plate) : Distance from leading edge, x (m) =0.2m

17

Differential
manometer
height, h(mm)

Velocity, u(m/s)

Velocity profile
u/U

(u/U)(1-u/U)

30.72
33.28
35.84
35.84
38.40
38.40
38.40
40.96
40.96
40.96
40.96
40.96
40.96
40.96

19.81
20.62
21.40
21.40
22.15
22.15
22.15
22.88
22.88
22.88
22.88
22.88
22.88
22.88

0.866
0.901
0.935
0.935
0.968
0.968
0.968
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

0.116
0.089
0.061
0.057
0.031
0.031
0.031
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000

Micrometer
reading, y(mm)

Static pressure
manometer,
P(mbar)

0
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50

7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.2

Pitot Tube
Pressure
Manometer,
P(mbar)
9.6
9.8
9.8
10.0
10.2
10.2
10.4
10.4
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6

Differential
manometer
height,
h(mBar)
2.4
2.6
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.0
3.2
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4

*manometer reading, 5mBar =64mm

Free stream velocity, U = 23.58 m/s
Reynolds number, U/= 311126.79

18

Differential
manometer
height, h(mm)

Velocity, u(m/s)

Velocity profile
u/U

(u/U)(1-u/U)

30.72
33.28
33.28
35.84
38.40
38.40
40.96
40.96
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52
43.52

19.81
20.62
20.62
21.40
22.15
22.15
22.88
22.88
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58
23.58

0.840
0.874
0.874
0.908
0.940
0.940
0.970
0.970
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

0.134
0.110
0.110
0.084
0.056
0.056
0.029
0.029
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000

5.1 Sample Calculation

From table;
Manometer reading: 5 mBar = 64mm
air = 1.204kg/m3
oil = 784 kg/m3
Data taken from test 1 (smooth plate)
Distance from leading edge, x (m) = 0.05m
Micrometer reading, y, =0.25mm.
a

Differential manometer height, (mBar).

DMH = Pitot tube pressure manometer Static pressure manometer

DMH = 9.6 7.4
DMH = 2.2 mBar
b Differential manometer height in, h (mm)
2.2 mBar
64 mm=28.2 mm
5 mBar

Velocity, u (m/s)
u=

u=

2(784)(981)(

28.2
)
1000

1.204

u=18.98 m/ s

Free StreamVelocity , U=

19

U=

2(784)(981)(
1.204

22.15 m/s

Velocity ratio=

38.4
)
1000

u
U

18.98
22.15

Velocity ratio=0.857

u
u
1 =0.857 ( 10.857 )
U
U

0.123

g) air = 1.825 x 10-5 m/s

Reynolds number, U x/ u = (1.204 X 22.15 X 0.05) (1.825 X 10-5)
= 73064.66

5.2 Graphs

20

Comparions plot between smooth and rough surface plate on the same graph paper.

Distance from leading edge, x(m) = 0.05m

Graph of y vs (u/U)
3.5
3
2.5
2
smooth plate

Micrometer Reading, mm 1.5

rough plate

1
0.5
0
0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95

1.05

Velocity profile
u/U

Distance from leading edge, x(m) = 0.2m

Graph of y vs (u/U)
4
3.5
3
2.5

Micrometer Reading, mm

smooth plate
rough plate

1.5
1
0.5
0
0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95

Velocity profile
u/U

21

1.05

Distance from leading edge, x(m) = 0.05m

Graph of y vs (u/U)(1-(u/U))
3.5
3
2.5
2

Micrometer Reading, mm

smooth plate
rough plate

1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.030.050.08 0.1 0.130.15

(u/U)(1-u/U)

Distance from leading edge, x(m) = 0.2m

22

Graph of y vs (u/U)(1-(u/U))
4
3.5
3
2.5

Micrometer Reading, mm

smooth plate

rough plate

1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.030.050.08 0.1 0.130.15

(u/U)(1-u/U)

Sample calculation for boundary layer thickness, () displacement thickness, ( ) momentum

thickness, () and shape factor, (H) by using experimental.
For smooth surface with x = 0.05m

Boundary layer thickness,

= 1.75 mm

Displacement thickness, *

=(1- u/U)dy
= ( 1- (y/ ) 1/7)dy
=1/8()
= 1/8(1.75 x10-3)
= 2.188 x10-4 m

Momentum thickness,

= u/U( 1- u/U)
= (y/ ) 1/7)(1- (y/ ) 1/7)
=7/72()
= 7/72(1.75 x10-3)
= 1.701 x10-4 m

Shape factor, H =
= 2.188 x10-4 / 1.701 x10-4
= 1.286
23

For smooth surface with x = 0.2m

Boundary layer thickness, = 1.50 mm

Displacement thickness, * =(1- u/U)dy
= ( 1- (y/ ) 1/7)dy
=1/8()
= 1/8(1.5 x10-3)
= 1.875 x10-4 m
Momentum thickness,

= u/U( 1- u/U)
= (y/ ) 1/7)(1- (y/ ) 1/7)
=7/72()
= 7/72(1.5 x10-3)
= 1.458 x10-4 m

Shape factor, H =

= 1.875 x10-4 m / 1.458 x10-4 m

= 1.286
For rough surface with x = 0.05m

Boundary layer thickness,

= 1.75 mm

Displacement thickness, *

=(1- u/U)dy
= ( 1- (y/ ) 1/7)dy
=1/8()
= 1/8(1.75 x10-3)
= 2.188 x10-4 m

Momentum thickness,

= u/U( 1- u/U)
= (y/ ) 1/7)(1- (y/ ) 1/7)
=7/72()
= 7/72(1.75 x10-3)
= 1.701 x10-4 m

Shape factor, H =
= 2.188 x10-4 / 1.701 x10-4
= 1.286

24

For rough surface with x = 0.2m

Boundary layer thickness, = 2.00 mm

Displacement thickness, * =(1- u/U)dy
= ( 1- (y/ ) 1/7)dy
=1/8()
= 1/8(2.0 x10-3)
= 2.5 x10-4 m
Momentum thickness,

= u/U( 1- u/U)
= (y/ ) 1/7)(1- (y/ ) 1/7)
=7/72()
= 7/72(2.0 x10-3)
= 1.944 x10-4 m

Shape factor, H =
= 2.5 x10-4 m / 1.944 x10-4 m
= 1.286

Sample calculation for boundary layer thickness, () displacement thickness, ( ) momentum

thickness, () and shape factor, (H) by using theoretical.
For smooth plate with x = 0.05m
Reynolds number = 73064.66 (laminar)

5.0(0.05)
73064.66

= 9.249 x10-4 m

1.72(0.05)
73064.66

= 3.182 x10-4 m
25

0.664(0.05)
73064.66

= 1.228 x10-4 m

= 3.182 x10-4 / 1.228 x10-4

= 2.591
For smooth plate with x = 0.2m
Reynolds number = 311126.79 (laminar)

5.0(0.2)
311126.79

= 1.793 x10-3 m

1.72(0.2)
311126.79

= 6.167 x10-4 m

0.664 (0.2)
311126.79

= 2.381 x10-4 m

26


= 6.167 x10-4 / 2.381 x10-4
= 2.59
For rough plate with x = 0.05m
Reynolds number = 75472.66 (laminar)

5.0(0.05)
75472.66

= 9.1 x10-4 m

1.72(0.05)
75472.66

= 3.13 x10-4 m

0.664(0.05)
75472.66

= 1.208 x10-4 m

= 3.13 x10-4 / 1.208 x10-4

= 2.591

27

For rough surface with x = 0.2m

Reynolds number = 311126.79 (laminar)

5.0(0.2)
311126.79

= 1.793 x10-3 m

1.72(0.2)
311126.79

= 6.167 x10-4 m

0.664 (0.2)
311126.79

= 2.381 x10-4 m

= 6.167 x10-4 / 2.381 x10-4

= 2.59

28

5.3 Analysis result

Velocity and free stream Reynolds Number
Test

U (m/s)

Re

Conditon

22.15

73064.66

Laminar

23.58

311126.79

Laminar

22.88

75472.66

Laminar

23.58

311126.79

Laminar

Table of comparison under experimental value and theoretical.

For smooth plate: 50mm (Rex = 73064.66)
Poperties

Experimenta
l

Theoretical

1.75mm

9.249 x10-4 m

2.188 x10-4 m

3.182 x10-4 m

1.701 x10-4 m

1.228 x10-4 m

1.286

2.591

For smooth surface: 200mm (Rex =311126.79)

Poperties

Experimenta
l

Theoretical

1.50mm

1.793 x10-3 m

1.875 x10-4 m

6.167 x10-4 m

29

1.458 x10-4 m

2.381 x10-4 m

1.286

2.59

Poperties

Experimenta
l

Theoretical

1.75mm

9.1 x10-4 m

2.188 x10-4 m

3.13 x10-4 m

1.701 x10-4 m

1.208 x10-4 m

1.286

2.591 x10-4 m

Poperties

Experimenta
l

Theoretical

2.0mm

1.793 x10-3 m

2.5 x10-4 m

6.167 x10-4 m

1.944 x10-4 m

2.381 x10-4 m

1.286

2.59

For rough surface: 50mm (Rex =75472.66)

For rough surface: 200mm (Rex =311126.79)

30

8.0 REFERENCES
1) Frank M. White, Fluid Mechanics, 5th Edition, Mc Graw Hill, New York, USA, 2003.
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_layer
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_thickness

31