New Shape Parameters for the Laminar, Transitional, and Turbulent Velocity Profiles

Abstract

In this report a new method for describing the shape and thickness of 2-D wall bounded boundary layer velocity profiles is presented. The new method is based on calculating parameters using simple integrals of the velocity profile. It is shown that these new parameters can be used to describe both the inner and outer region of the turbulent boundary layer, as well as laminar and transitional velocity profiles. Applied to experimental laminar-turbulent profiles, it is shown that one of the new shape parameters foretells the beginning of the laminar turbulent transition on a flat plate at a much lower Reynolds number than the traditional H12 criteria. Furthermore, using another new parameter it is shown that the transition to fully turbulent flow may proceed as a discontinuous event.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 15, 2008
Accession Number
ADA519321

Entities

People

  • David W. Weyburne

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Boundary Layer Flow
  • Data Sets
  • Experimental Data
  • Flow
  • Flow Fields
  • Fluid Flow
  • Free Stream
  • Laminar Flow
  • Layers
  • Reynolds Number
  • Skin Friction
  • Turbulent Boundary Layer
  • Turbulent Flow
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.