ICPC11 - THERMODYNAMICS AND

FLUID MECHANICS

Dr. S. Vijayan
Post-doctoral Fellow
Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
CT-2 Portion
• Euler’s equations of motion, Bernoulli's equation and its application.
• Classification of open channel flows - measurement of discharge using
rectangular and V-notches.
• Dimensional analysis – Rayleigh’s method - Buckingham Theorem and its
applications.
• Laminar flow – Losses – Hagen-Poiseuille equation – Turbulent pipe flow –
Friction.
• Darcy Weisbach equation – Moody's diagram, minor losses

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Boundary Layer Concepts
Introduction

The boundary layer is a thin layer adjacent to the solid surface in which
the viscous effects are important.
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Contd.,
The flow of fluid may be divided into two regions:
(i) A thin layer adjoining the boundary is called the boundary layer
where the viscous shear takes place.

(ii) A region outside the boundary layer where the flow behaviour is
quite like that of an ideal fluid and the potential flow theory is
applicable.

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Boundary Layer

• To describe the concept of boundary layer, consider flow over a thin, smooth flat plate as shown
in figure. The fluid just before encountering with the plate is having a uniform velocity.
• 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. This variation of velocity from
zero to free – stream velocity in the direction normal to the boundary takes place in a narrow
region in the vicinity of solid boundary layer. 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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Characteristics of Boundary Layer
(i) δ (thickness of boundary layer) increases as distance from leading edge x increases.
(ii) δ decreases as U increases.
(iii) δ increases as kinematic viscosity (𝜈) increases.
(iv) When U increases in the downward direction, boundary layer growth is reduced.
(v) When U decreases in the downward direction, flow near the boundary is further
retarded, boundary layer growth is faster and is susceptible to separation.
𝑈𝑥
(vi) If < 5 × 105 boundary layer is laminar (velocity distribution is parabolic).
𝜈
𝑈𝑥
(vii) If > 5 × 105 boundary layer is turbulent on that portion (velocity distribution
𝜈
follows Log law or a power law).

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Boundary Layer Thickness (δ)
• The distance from the boundary in which the velocity reaches
99 % of the velocity of the free stream (u = 0.99U). It is denoted
by the symbol δ. Also termed as nominal thickness of the
boundary layer.
• For laminar and turbulent zone
1. 𝛿𝑙𝑎𝑚 =Thickness of laminar boundary layer,
2. 𝛿𝑡𝑢𝑟 = Thickness of turbulent boundary layer, and
3. 𝛿′= Thickness of laminar sub-layer

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1. Displacement thickness (𝛿*)
It is defined as 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 on account of boundary layer formation.
It is the distance, measured perpendicular to the boundary, by which the main/free stream
is displaced on account of formation of boundary layer
𝜹
∗
𝒖
𝜹 =න 𝟏− 𝒅𝒚
𝟎 𝑼

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2. Momentum thickness (𝜃)
Momentum thickness is defined as 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.

𝜹
𝒖 𝒖
𝜽=න 𝟏− 𝒅𝒚
𝟎 𝑼 𝑼

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3. Energy thickness (𝛿**)
• It is defined as 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.
𝜹
𝒖 𝒖𝟐
𝜹∗∗ =න 𝟏 − 𝟐 𝒅𝒚
𝟎 𝑼 𝑼

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Contd.,

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Example Problem
u y
• The velocity distribution in the boundary layer is given by: = where u is the
U δ

velocity at a distance y from the plate and u = U at y = δ, δ being boundary layer

thickness. Find : (i) The displacement thickness, (ii) The momentum thickness,
δ∗
(iii) The energy thickness, and (iv) The value of
θ

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For Practice
The velocity distribution in the boundary layer is given by
u y 1/7
=
U δ
Calculate the following
(i) Displacement thickness,
(ii) Momentum thickness,
(iii) Shape factor,
(iv) Energy thickness, and
(v) Energy loss due to boundary layer if at a particular section, the boundary layer thickness is
25 mm and the free stream velocity is 15 m/s. If the discharge through the boundary layer
region is 6 m3/s per metre width, express this energy loss in terms of metres of head. Take ρ
= 1·2 kg/m3.

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Force exerted by a flowing fluid on a
stationary body

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Next class
• Fluid machinery: Centrifugal pumps, Reciprocating
pumps, Hydraulic ram, Impulse turbine, Reaction
turbine.

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