Experiment No.

(5)
Boundary Layer Theory
Objective:
The purpose of this experiment to introduce the types of flow (Laminar and
Turbulent Flow) over the smooth and rough surfaces, and to measure the
velocity values inside and outside the boundary layer, as follows:
Measurement of the velocity profile in laminar and turbulent boundary
layers.
Measurement of the velocity profile in the boundary layer formed over
both rough and smooth plates.
Measurement of the velocity profile in the boundary layer at various
distances from the leading edge of the plate.
Effect of the pressure gradient on the boundary layer velocity profile.
Introduction:
When a fluid (liquid or gas) flows over a solid surface it immediate contact
with a surface moves with it, and the relative velocity increases from zero at
the surface to the velocity in the free stream through a layer of fluid which is
called (boundary layer).
Consider steady flow over a flat smooth plate as shown in fig. (5.1), where
the stream velocity U is constant over the length of the plate. It is found
that the thickness of the boundary layer grows along the length of the plate
as indicated in that diagram. The motion in the boundary layer is laminar at
beginning, but if the plate is sufficiently long, a transition to turbulence is
observed. The flow is grows rapidly and merge to produce the random
fluctuations of velocity which are characteristic of turbulent motion. The
parameter which characteristics the position of the transition is the
(Reynolds number) based on distance X from the leading edge:
Re x

Ux

..(5.1)

Fig. (5.1) Boundary layer over a flat plate.

Definitions of Thickness:
A little consideration will show that the boundary layer thickness shown in
fig (5.1) as the thickness where the velocity reaches the free-stream value.
The velocity in the boundary layer increases towards U , so the distance y
at which we might consider the velocity to have reached U will depend on
the accuracy of measurement. The velocity reaches to maximum value
u U , when the layer becomes y h .
Another thickness is known (displacement thickness ), where its equal:

1 dy ..(5.2)
U
0

Where: h
Another definition is called (momentum thickness ), of the boundary layer

U
0

u
U

dy .(5.3)

The total skin friction per unit width on a plate of length L is equal to:
D f 0.5 U 2 2 L (5.4)

The skin friction force D f is now written in terms of a dimensionless

overall skin friction coefficient C f where:
Cf

Or,
Cf

Df
0 .5 U 2 L

2 L
L

..(5.5)

.(5.6)

Now for laminar layer, the displacement thickness and momentum thickness
are given by:

5.0

(5.7)
x (Re x )1 / 2
*
1.721

.....(5.8)
x
Re x

0.664
cf

X
Re x (5.9)

The ratio between displacement thickness to momentum thickness is called

the (shape factor) H
H

...(5.10)

For a turbulent boundary layer along a (smooth flat-plate surface):

0.16

...(5.11)
x (Re x )1 / 7

0.046 X

Re x
0.036 X
Re x

..(5.12)
(5.13)

0.0288 U 2
w
(Re x )1 / 5

.(5.14)

The ratio between displacement thickness to momentum thickness is called

the (shape factor) H
H

...(5.15)

Procedure Of Operation:

1. Estimate the velocity profile for turbulent flow over a smooth surface,
by using pitot-tube to estimate the total pressure inside and outside the
boundary layer film.
2. Estimate the velocity profile for turbulent flow over a rough surface,
by using pitot-tube to estimate the total pressure inside and outside the
boundary layer film.
3. Estimate the effect of pressure gradient by using (two liners to make
the passage as a diffuser) and measure velocity profile for turbulent
flow over a smooth surface, by using pitot-tube to estimate the total
pressure inside and outside the boundary layer film.
Description of Apparatus:
Figure (5.2) shows the arrangement of the test section attached to the outlet
of airflow bench. A flat plate is placed at mid height in the section, with a
sharp edge facing the oncoming flow. One side of the plate is smooth and the
other is rough so that by turning the plate over, results may be obtained on
both types of surface.
A fine pitot-tube may be traversed through the boundary layer at a section
near the downstream edge of the plate (without liners).
Liners may be placed on the walls of the working section so that either a
generally, accelerating or decelerating free stream may be produced along
the length of the plate, depending on which way round they are fitted. With
the liners removed, uniform free-stream flow conditions are obtained over
the plate length.

Fig. (5.2) Boundary layer Apparatus

Experimental Procedure:
So the uniform air flow velocity ( U ) can be estimated at exit of the duct.
The atmospheric pressure at Duhok city is equal to 960 mbar, or
p atm 96000 N / m 2 , and the temperature of air inside the duct is equal to15 oC,
then the absolute temperature of air is equal to 288K. So the air density is
can be calculated using the ideal gas law as follows:
p air R T ..(5.16)
Then the air density is equal to 1.161 kg/m3.

a) estimate the turbulent flow over smooth and rough surfaces

without liners:
from standard air tables the kinematic viscosity is equal to 1.48 10 5
m2/s, the length of plate is equal to, L 0.265 m. The readings of pitottube pressure P are tabulated in table (5.1a) and (5.1b) respectively.
Values of boundary layer thickness y shown in these tables are obtained
from micrometer reading at which the tube just touched the surface. The
values of u / U are found from the following equation:
u

P
Po

(5.17)

Where ( Po , U ) are the pitot tube pressure reading in the free stream
(outside boundary layer), air velocity outside of boundary layer, while (
P , u ) are the pitot tube pressure reading inside the boundary layer, air
velocity inside the boundary layer film. The air pressure value outside of
boundary layer is equal to:
Po h

To find the uniform velocity U applied the following equation:

1
U 2 Po ...(5.18)
2
Then: U

Then we find the value of Reynolds number as follows:

Re L

UL
..

(5.19)
Readings:
Table (5.1a) velocity distribution inside boundary layer on smooth surface
without liners. U
, Re L
, Po
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

H
(mm)

Distance
y (mm)

pressure
P (N/m2)

Velocity
u (m/s)

Velocity ratio
u
U

Table (5.1b) velocity distribution inside boundary layer on rough surface

without liners. U
, Re L
, Po
No.

h
(mm)

Distance
y (mm)

pressure
P (N/m2)

Velocity
u (m/s)

Velocity ratio
u
U

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

b) The above results are repeated with liners fitted to give a

generally decelerating flow over the plate length.

The values of u / U are found from the following equation:

u

P
Po

(5.17)

Where ( Po , U ) are the pitot tube pressure reading in the free stream
(outside boundary layer), air velocity outside of boundary layer, while (
P , u ) are the pitot tube pressure reading inside the boundary layer, air
velocity inside the boundary layer film.
The air pressure value outside of boundary layer is equal to
Po h

To find the uniform velocity U applied the following equation:

1
U 2 Po ...(5.18)
2
Then: U

Then we find the value of Reynolds number as follows:

Re L

(5.19)

UL
..

Table (5.2) velocity distribution inside boundary layer on smooth surface

with liners fitting. U
, Re L
, Po
No.

H
(mm)

Distance
y (mm)

pressure
P (N/m2)

Velocity
u (m/s)

Velocity ratio
u
U

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Discussion:
1. Estimate the values of ( , , , H ) for turbulent flow over a smooth
surface, when x=L=0.265m.
2. Estimate the values of ( , , , H ) for turbulent or laminar flow over
a smooth surface, when x=0.02m, and x=0.05m.

3. Draw the velocity ratio ( u / U ) as a x-axis with the boundary layer

height ( y ) as a y-axis for smooth and rough surfaces for same Re .
4. Draw the velocity ratio ( u / U ) as a x-axis with the boundary layer
height ( y ) as a y-axis for a smooth surface (with liners are fitted and
without liners).
5. Estimate the values of ( , , , H ) for turbulent flow over a smooth
surface (when liners are fitted).
6. Draw the velocity ratio ( u / U ) as a x-axis with the boundary layer
height ( y ) as a y-axis for smooth surface by using the theoretical law:

u / U ( y / 3) 7

Then compare this result with result at item (3).