UNIT 6 ..

Boundary layer theory and Forces on submerged bodies

Short answered Questions and answers

1. Who proposed boundary layer theory ?

The concept of boundary layer was first introduced by L.Prandtl in 1904.

​ 2. What is Boundary layer and Boundary layer theory?

When a solid body is immersed in a fluid there is a narrow region of the fluid in the neighborhood of
the solid body where the velocity of fluid, varies from ​zero to free stream velocity​. This narrow
region of fluid is called boundary layer.
The theory dealing with boundary layer flows is called boundary layer theory.

3. Draw the figures corresponding to boundary layers on flat plate placed in the direction of
flow and perpendicular to the direction of flow ?

4. What is Streamlined body ?

A body whose surface coincides with streamlines, when the body is placed in a flow.

5. What is Bluff body ?

A body whose surface does not coincides with streamlines, when the body is placed in a flow.

6. What is Magnus effect ?

When a cylinder is rotated in a uniform flow, a lift force is produced on the cylinder. This
phenomenon of the lift force produced by a rotating cylinder in a uniform flow is called as Magnus
effect.

7. What is Drag and lift

Consider a body held stationary in a real fluid which is flowing at a uniform velocity. The total force
(resultant force) exerted by the fluid on the body is perpendicular to the surface of the body. Thus the
total force (resultant force) is inclined to the direction of motion.
Drag: ​The component of the total force in the direction of motion.
Lift: ​The component of the total force in the direction perpendicular to the direction of motion.

.
8. What is the lift force value for symmetrical subjects placed in ideal fluid ?

➢ Lift force occurs only when the axis of body is inclined to the direction of flow if the axis of
body is parallel to the direction of flow lift force is zero. In that case only the drag force acts.
➢ If fluid is assumed ideal and body is symmetrical such as a sphere or cylinder, both the drag
and lift or zero.

9. What is Displacement thickness ?

The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, by which the boundary should
be displaced to compensate for the reduction in ​flow rate (Discharge) on account of boundary layer
formation.

10. What is Momentum thickness ?

The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, by which the boundary should
be displaced to compensate for the reduction in ​momentum of the flowing fluid on account of
boundary layer formation.

11. What is Energy thickness ?

The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, 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.
 Long answered questions

1. Explain in detail about Characteristics of a boundary layer along with thin flat plate ?

Velocity of the fluid on the surface of the plate should be equal to the velocity of the plate. But the
plate is stationary and hence the velocity of fluid on the surface of the plate is zero.
Laminar boundary layer:
If the flow in the boundary layer exhibits all the ​characteristics of a laminar flow, irrespective of
whether the incoming flow is laminar or turbulent. This layer of boundary is called Laminar boundary
layer.
The length of the plate from the leading edge up to which laminar boundary layer exists is called
laminar zone (AB).
Boundary layer in transition:
When laminar boundary layer becomes unstable, the flow shows characteristics of both laminar and
turbulent flows. The short length over which the boundary layer flow changes from laminar to
turbulent is called transition zone (BC).
Turbulent boundary layer
At the downstream of the transition zone, the boundary layer is turbulent and continues to grow in
thickness. This layer of boundary is called turbulent boundary layer.
The length of the plate over which turbulent boundary layer exists is called turbulent zone (FG).
Laminar sub-layer
If the plate is very smooth, even in the region of turbulent boundary layer, there is a very thin layer
adjacent to the boundary in which the flow is laminar. This layer is known as laminar sub-layer.
Boundary layer thickness or normal thickness
The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body to the point, where the
velocity of the fluid is approximately equal to ​0.99 times ​the free stream velocity of the fluid.
Factors affecting boundary layer thickness along a smooth plate
➢ Boundary layer thickness increases as the distance from the leading edge increases.
➢ Boundary layer thickness decreases as the velocity of flow increases.
➢ Boundary layer thickness increases as the kinematics viscosity of the fluid increases.
➢ Boundary layer thickness is considerably affected by pressure gradient in the direction of
flow.
➢ If the pressure gradient is ​positive (divergent flow)​, the thickening of boundary layer
occurs.
➢ If the pressure gradient is ​negative (converging flow)​, then the boundary layer growth is
retarded.
Displacement thickness

The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, by which the boundary should
be displaced to compensate for the reduction in ​flow rate (Discharge) on account of boundary layer
formation.

Momentum thickness
The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, by which the boundary should
be displaced to compensate for the reduction in ​momentum of the flowing fluid on account of
boundary layer formation.

Energy thickness
The distance measured perpendicular to the boundary of the solid body, 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.

2. Derive the equation for Drag force on a flat plate due to boundary layer or Von Karman
Momentum integral equation of boundary layer ?

Mass of fluid per second entering through the side AD =

Mass of fluid per second leaving through the side BC =

Mass of fluid per second entering through the side DC = ​ ​Mass of fluid per second leaving through the
side BC + Mass of fluid per second entering through the side AD

Momentum of fluid per second entering through the side AD =

Momentum of fluid per second leaving through the side BC =
Momentum of fluid per second entering through the side DC =

Rate of change of momentum of control volume ABCD = Momentum of fluid per second leaving
through the side BC - Momentum of fluid per second entering through the side AD - Momentum of
fluid per second entering through the side DC
Total external force on the control volume in the direction of rate of change of momentum =
According to momentum principle,
Total external force on the control volume in the direction of rate of change of momentum =
Rate of change of momentum of control volume ABCD

3. Write in detail about Separation of boundary layer and Explain the effect of pressure
gradient and velocity gradient on boundary layer separation ?
➢ Along the length of the solid body at a certain point a stage may come when the boundary
layer may not be able to keep sticking to the solid body, if it cannot provide kinetic energy to
overcome the resistance offered by the solid body.
➢ So the boundary layer will be separated from the surface. This phenomenon is called the
boundary layer separation​.
➢ The point on the body at which the boundary layer is on the verge of separation from the
surface is called ​point of separation​.

Effect of pressure gradient and velocity gradient on boundary layer separation

Condition for attached flow or converging flow

Condition for separation
Condition for detached flow or divergent flow
At the Separation point, the shear stress, pressure gradient and velocity gradient values becomes zero.

4. Mention the Methods to Control boundary layer separation

(or)
Methods of preventing the separation of boundary layer

➢ Rotating boundary in the direction of flow (Fig 13.9)

➢ Suction of the slow moving fluid by suction slot (Fig 13.12)
➢ Supplying additional energy from a blower
➢ Providing a bypass in the slotted wing (Fig 13.11)
➢ Providing guide blades in a bend
➢ Injecting fluid into the boundary layer (Fig 13.10)
➢ Streamlining of body shapes
5. Derive the Expression for drag and lift ?

Forces acting on the surface area of arbitrary shaped solid body placed in a real fluid.
1. Pressure force acting perpendicular to the surface
2. shear force acting along the tangential direction to the surface

Drag force on elemental area

= force due to pressure in the direction of fluid motion + force due to shear stress in the
direction of fluid motion.
= pressure drag or form drag + friction drag skin drag or shear drag
=

Lift force on elemental area

= force due to pressure in the direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid motion + force
due to shear stress in the direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid motion.
=

Total drag F​D​ =

Total lift F​L​ =
Coefficient of drag = C​D
Coefficient of lift = C​L
Largest projected area of the body = A