DISCUSSION
The main idea of this experiment was to compare two ways of finding the velocity profile. From the
graph that we plotted, we see that its exactly a same between smooth and rough surface flat plate due to
the errors occurs during experiments but from the theory, those smooth and rough surface flat plate graph
at same distance from edge x, are supposed to be different. There are two types of flow in fluid that been
showed in this experiment, laminar and turbulent flow. The differences between laminar and turbulence
flow of fluid on the flat surface can be seen on the graph that have been plotted. Greater value of was
obtained when the plane is rough while the value becomes lesser when the distance from the edge of the
plate is further.
Comparison for graph for y versus (u/U) at 0.05 m
Based on the graph for smooth plate and rough plate, the intersection of both surface at (0.6,1.0). By
referring the value for smooth plate, the maximum value at 2.35 for 1.0 u/U. From this graph, we can see
that the constant value for smooth plate at 1.0 u/U from 0.6 until 2.35. This value can be accepted because
the value has repeat parameters at seven times with continuously. In the smooth plate, we can see the
pattern of result continuously increasing. Another graph is rough plate. Based on this graph we can
analysis the maximum value is 1 u/U at 2.35. Other than that, the minimum value is 0.8 u/U at point 0 of
y. Then, from this graph we also can know the value of rough surface smaller than smooth surface
weather maximum or minimum value. This value can be accepted because the value has
repeat parameters at seven time continuously. In the rough plate, we can see the pattern of result also
continuously increasing.
Comparison for graph for y versus (u/U) at 0.2 m
Based on the graph for smooth plate and rough plate, the intersection of both surface at (2.0,0.9). By
referring the value for smooth plate, the maximum value at 3.8 for 1.0 u/U. From this graph, we can see
that the constant value for smooth plate at 1.0 u/U from 2.0 until 4.0. For the minimum value is0.875 u/U
at 0 point of y. This value can be accepted because the value has repeat parameters at seven times with
continuously. In the smooth plate, we can see the pattern of result continuously increasing. Another graph
is rough plate. Based on this graph we can analysis the maximum value is 1.0 u/U at 4.0. Other than that,
the minimum value is 0.875u/U at point 0 of y. Then, from this graph we also can know the value of
rough surface smaller than smooth surface for minimum and bigger value for maximum. This value can
be accepted because the value has repeat parameters at seven time continuously. In the rough plate, we
can see the pattern of result also continuously increasing.
Based on comparison above, we know that when the distance x is increase, the value of velocity stream
will also increase. But, in this experiment, the value is slightly same because some error occurs in this
experiment. The value of smooth surface is less that value on rough surface due to the theory of effect of
roughness surface to the velocity profile.
Other than that, the roughness of the surfaces was effected the values of the pressures. The appearing of
laminar and turbulent are depending on the smooth or rough of the flat plate, if the surface is smooth, the
transition of laminar to be turbulent will delay, while when the surface is rough, the transition of laminar
to become turbulent will be quick as there are small disturbance in the velocity profiles that make the
flow easily pass through it. The differences of the velocity profiles showed on the graph plotted and the
free stream velocity calculated was based on the smoothness and roughness of the surface.
(a) boundary layer growth on a smooth surface
(b) boundary layer growth on a rough surface
There are a few errors occurred in this experiment, such as parallax error during taking data from the
experiment. Other than that, the error occurred when we calculated the U at 50mmand 200mm. Then at
the same time we also measure the pitot tube in the same level. Unfortunately, our instrument is not
capable on measuring the U at 50mm, is because the tube that measure at 50mm does not fit at the hole.
So all the calculation involve U will be taken at200mm only.
CONCLUSION
The boundary layer velocities for the flat plate with smooth and rough surface have been obtained where
the data can be seen from the table. The smooth surface will carry initially make a laminar flow and
become turbulent t the end. While rough surface will make turbulent flow at the beginning of the flow.
The velocity profiles of the flat plate have been obtained through data read and the graphs have been
plotted. The roughness of the flat plate gives the variety of the velocity profile. It can be concluded that
the surface roughness of the flat plate influences the velocity profiles where the smooth surface will delay
the transition while the rough surface will make the transition become faster. It will make all the objective
of this experiment is completely obtained.
