Laminar and Turbulent Boundary Layers

The turbulent eddies transfer momentum from layer to

layer producing large differences:
The turbulent boundary layer is much thicker than
the laminar one and the thickness increases more
rapidly with distance from the leading edge.
The turbulent velocity profile is much fuller near
the wall, and flatter some distance from the wall.
The skin friction is much larger in turbulent than
in laminar flow.
Effects on the Critical Reynolds Number for Transition

The Critical Reynolds Number Re Depends upon:

Free stream turbulence
Surface roughness
Vibration
Pressure distribution
----
- 200,000 to 1.5 x 106 Critical Re

Free Stream
Surface Roughness
Turbulence
Pressure Distribution

Vibration
 Summary of Boundary Layer Relationships

Laminar Boundary Turbulent Boundary

Layer Layer

= 5.2 L/(Re)1/2 = .37 L/(Re).2

with Re = VL/

= 5.2 L/(VL/)1/2 or

L1/2 L4/5

CfL = .664/(Re)1/2 Local Drag Coefficient

Cf = 1.328/(Re)1/2 Total Drag Coefficient

Cf = 1.328/(VL/)1/2 Cf = 0.455/(Log10 Re)2.58

Cf L-1/2

Drag D = Cf (1/2)V2S

wetted wing area

both top and bottom
 Power Required to Overcome Drag

Assume that the power required by an engine to

overcome skin friction drag is a function of the friction
coefficient Cf ( provided from an empirical formula).
The following variables are considered important:

Power, P (ML2T-3)

Wing Cord, c (L)

Wing Span, S (L)

Speed, V (LT-1)

Density, (ML-3)

Express the Power required in terms of the drag force and any
other variables.
N=5 and K=3 and there will be 2 dimensionless groups

k-set choice - , V, S

1 = P A VB SC

1 = (ML2T-3) (ML-3)A (LT-1)B (L)C

mass: 1+A=0 A=-1
length: 2-3A+B+C=0 C=-2
time: -3-B=0 B=-3

1 = P -1 V-3 S-2

2 = c A VB SC

1 = (L) (ML-3)A (LT-1)B (L)C

mass: A=0
length: 1-3A+B+C=0 C=-1
time: B=0
2 = c S-1

1 = P /( V3 S2 ) 2 = c /S

1/2 = P /( V3 S c)

Since the Drag D is Cf (1/2) V2 S c = wing area

P=DV
 Sample Problem

An airplane is flying at standard sea level conditions at

100 meters/second. The dimensions of the wing are the
cord = 1 meter, wing span = 10 meters. Assume a fully
turbulent boundary layer. What power must the engine
provide to overcome the drag. (Note: a kilogram (force)
meter per second is 9.8 watts)

First compute the Reynolds Number, Re

Re = 1.225 (100)(1)/(1.789x10-5) = 6.846x106

c

Next compute Cf using the turbulent boundary layer expression

Cf = 0.455/( Log10 Re)2.58 = .003197

Next compute the drag D

D = 2 (1/2) (1.225) (100)2 Cf (10) = 391.6

Top and S
bottom wing
surfaces V

Power = D V = D 100= 39160 Kg meter/sec

Converting to Watts: Px9.8= 380000= 380 kilowatts
Converting to HP: P/746= 380/746=513 hp