Assignment 11

Topic: Full Marks: 20

1-Mark Questions:
Q1: A very thin region of flow near a solid wall where viscous forces and rotationality
cannot be ignored is called

(a) Inviscid region of flow

Solution:
The very thin region of flow near a solid wall where viscous forces and rotationality cannot be
ignored is called the "boundary layer." The boundary layer is a crucial concept in fluid
dynamics and is particularly important in understanding how fluids interact with solid surfaces.
When a fluid flows over a solid surface, such as air flowing over an airplane wing or water
flowing along the hull of a boat, the behaviour of the fluid near the surface is significantly
different from that in the bulk of the flow. In the boundary layer, several key characteristics
come into play:

Viscous Effects: In the boundary layer, the viscous forces within the fluid become dominant.
Viscosity is the property of a fluid that resists shear deformation or flow. In the boundary layer,
the fluid molecules near the wall experience strong frictional forces, leading to a velocity
gradient from zero at the wall to the free-stream velocity away from the wall. This velocity
gradient is responsible for the formation of the boundary layer.

Rotationality: The boundary layer also exhibits rotationality or swirl. As fluid flows over the
solid surface, it may experience rotational motion due to the shearing forces, resulting in
vorticity within the boundary layer.

Flow Separation: Depending on the flow conditions and the shape of the solid surface, the
boundary layer can behave differently. In some cases, if the adverse pressure gradient is too
strong or the surface curvature is unfavourable, the boundary layer may separate from the
surface, leading to flow separation and potential aerodynamic or hydrodynamic issues.

Heat Transfer: The boundary layer is also important for heat transfer. Since viscous forces are
significant, heat transfer near a solid surface can be strongly influenced by conduction through
the boundary layer. Understanding the boundary layer is essential in various engineering
applications, such as aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, and heat transfer analysis. Engineers and
scientists use mathematical models, such as the boundary layer equations, to describe and
predict the behaviour of fluids within this region. By analysing the boundary layer, they can

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make informed design decisions and optimize the performance of various systems, from
aircraft wings to heat exchangers.

Q2: Which option is correct regarding the boundary layer approximation?

(a) The higher the Reynolds number, the thinner the boundary layer.
(b) The boundary layer approximation may be appropriate for free shear layers.
(c) The boundary layer equations are approximations of the Navier-Stokes equation.
(d) The boundary layer approximation bridges the gap between the Euler equation and the
Navier-Stokes equation.
(e) All of the above

Solution:
All options are correct:
The higher the Reynolds number, the thinner the boundary layer.
The boundary layer approximation may be appropriate for free shear layers.
The boundary layer equations are approximations of the Navier-Stokes equation.
The boundary layer approximation bridges the gap between the Euler equation and the Navier-
Stokes equation.

Q3: Which one of the following is not a flow region where the boundary layer
approximation may be appropriate?

(a) Jet
(b) Inviscid region
(c) Wake
(d) Thin region near a solid wall

Solution:
The boundary layer approximation is specifically designed for flow regions where viscous
forces are significant, and it is not suitable for inviscid regions. In an inviscid flow, viscosity
is considered negligible, and the boundary layer concept, which relies on the presence of
viscosity to create a thin layer of fluid near a solid surface with distinct flow characteristics,
does not apply. In inviscid regions, flow behaviour is primarily governed by principles like
conservation of mass and momentum, and the concept of a boundary layer is not relevant.

Q4: For flow along a flat plate with x being the distance from the leading edge, the
boundary layer thickness grows like

(a) x
(b) √𝒙
(c) x2
(d) 1/x2

Solution:
For flow along a flat plate, the growth of the boundary layer thickness (denoted as δ) with
respect to the distance from the leading edge (denoted as x) is typically described by a power
law relationship. In a laminar boundary layer over a flat plate with constant properties, this
relationship is known as Blasius solution, and it's described as follows
δ ∝ √𝑥

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Q5. The nominal distance of a boundary layer is defined from the wall to a point-
(a) Where the velocity is 99% less than the asymptotic limit
(b) Where the velocity ceases to be laminar
(c) Where the velocity is within 90% of the asymptotic limit
(d) Where the velocity is 99% of its asymptotic limit

Solution:

The boundary layer is defined as the distance travelled in the transverse direction of the fluid
flow after which the velocity becomes 0.99 times the free stream velocity i.e., where the
velocity is 99% of its asymptotic limit.

Q6. The maximum thickness of boundary layer in a circular pipe of diameter ‘r’ can be
given as-

(a) r/2
(b) r
(c) 0
(d) 2r

Solution:

The boundary layer is defined as the distance travelled in the transverse direction of the fluid
flow after which the velocity becomes 0.99 times the free stream velocity. In a pipe flow, the
free stream velocity occurs at the canter of the pipe. Hence, the maximum thickness of the
boundary layer will be ‘r/2’.

Q7. The boundary layer formed as the flowing fluid comes in contact with the solid
surface, because of the action of:

(a) Force due to gravity acting on the fluid

Solution:

The boundary layer is a thin layer of fluid that forms adjacent to a solid surface when a fluid
(such as air or a liquid) flows over that surface. This phenomenon occurs due to the action of
viscosity, which is the internal resistance of a fluid to motion. the boundary layer forms because
of the frictional forces caused by viscosity between the fluid and the solid surface. This layer
represents a gradual transition in fluid velocity from its maximum value away from the surface
to nearly zero at the surface itself.

Q8. The following boundary conditions exist at the wall (𝒚 = 𝟎) in a boundary layer.
a) 𝑢 = 𝑈
𝑑𝑝
b) 𝑑𝑥 = −𝑣𝑒
c) 𝜏0 = 0
d) 𝒖 = 𝟎, 𝒗 = 𝟎

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Q9. The laminar sublayer exists
a) only in laminar boundary layers
b) in all turbulent boundary layers
c) only in smooth turbulent boundary layers
d) only in rough fully developed turbulent boundary layers

Q10. Which of the following theory is an approximation of Navier Stokes equation?

Q11. The variation of wall shear stress(𝝉𝒘 ) from the leading edge of the stationary plate
(x) can be related as-
𝟏
(a) 𝝉𝒘 ∝
√𝒙
(b) 𝜏𝑤 ∝ √𝑥
(c) 𝜏𝑤 ∝ 𝑥
1
(d) 𝜏𝑤 ∝ 𝑥

2-Mark Questions:

Q1: Water flows at 200C with a velocity of 1.1 m/s over a smooth flat plate whose length
is 20 cm. The boundary layer thickness at the end of the plate is (the density and viscosity
of water are 998 kg/m3 and 1.002×10-3 kg/m.s, respectively)

(a) 1.14 mm
(b) 1.35 mm
(c) 1.56 mm
(d) 2.09 mm

Solution:

V= 1.1m/s
x= 0.20 m
ρ = 998 kg/m3
μ = 1.002×10-3 kg/m.s
υ = μ/ρ = 1.004×10-6 m2/s
Rex = V×x/υ
Rex = 1.1×0.2/1.004×10-6 = 219123.50

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Since Rex is lower than the engineering critical Reynolds number, Rex, cr = 5 × 105, we may
assume that the boundary layer on the wall remains laminar throughout the length of the test
section.

δ = 4.91×x/sqrt(Rex) = 0.0020978 m = 2.09 mm

Q2. If 𝜹𝟏 and 𝜹𝟐 are boundary layer thickness at point x from leading edge on a flat
plate when distances are 4cm and 1 cm respectively, then their ratio will be-
a. 1
b. 2
c. 4
d. 8
Solution:
We know 𝛿 is proportional to distances from the leading edge

Hence 𝛿1/𝛿2=√𝑥1/𝑥2= 2

Q3. The thickness of the laminar boundary layer on a flat plate at a point P is 2 cm and
at point Q which is 1 m downstream of A, is 3 cm. What is the distance of Q from the
leading edge of the plate?
(a) 0.50 m
(b) 0.80 m
(c) 1.50 m
(d) 1.80 m

Solution:
We know,
The relation between boundary layer thickness (δ) in the direction of fluid flow from the
leading edge of the stationary plate (𝑥) can be given as,

δ ∝ √𝑥

Let,
The point P is a distance ‘x’ m from the leading edge.
Hence, the point Q is (x+1) m from the leading edge.

Hence,
𝛿𝑃 𝑥
=√
𝛿𝑄 (𝑥 + 1)

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 2 𝑥
=√
3 (𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 4
=
(𝑥 + 1) 9
9𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 4
5𝑥 = 4
𝑥 = 0.8 𝑚
Hence,
The point Q = (x+1) = 1.8 m from the leading edge.

3-mark questions:
𝒖 𝟐𝒚 𝒚 𝟐
Q1. The velocity distribution in the boundary layer is given by: 𝑼 = − (𝜹) , where u is
𝜹
the velocity at a distance y from the plate and 𝒖 = 𝑼 at 𝒚 = 𝜹, 𝜹 being the boundary layer
thickness. Find:
i. Displacement thickness
ii. Momentum thickness
𝜹 𝟐𝜹
a) ,
𝟑 𝟏𝟓
2𝛿 𝛿
b) ,
15 3
15 3
c) ,
2𝛿 𝛿
3 15
d) ,
𝛿 2𝛿

Solution:
𝛿 𝑢 𝛿
Displacement thickness= 𝛿 ∗ = ∫0 (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦 =
𝑈 3

𝛿𝑢 𝑢 2𝛿
Momentum thickness= 𝜃 = ∫0 (1 − 𝑈) 𝑑𝑦 =
𝑈 15

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