Viscous Flow

An Introduction to Boundary Layers

Boundary Layer Transition III

Professor K P Garry
Applied Aerodynamics Group, Cranfield University
k.p.garry@cranfield.ac.uk

contents

Simple Transition Prediction Methods

Stability Analysis - Basic Approach

The Orr – Sommerfield Equation

1
 TRANSITION PREDICTION
Michel One-Step Method

Michel(1951) put forward a simple, purely empirical relationship, between Momentum

Thickness Reynolds Number (Reθ) and the Position Reynolds Number (Rex) at the
onset of transition. It is based on both low turbulence wind tunnel data and flight
test measurements and is applicable to 2D incompressible flow.

0.444
Reθ , tr = 1.535 Re x

Note:
The distance downstream(x) is measured from the forward stagnation point and
Rex is based on the local boundary layer edge velocity, U(x)

applicable in the range:

4 x 105 ≤ Re x ≤ 7 x 10 6

Michel One-Step Method

Michel’s empirical approach requires knowledge of the Boundary Layer Momentum
Thickness (θ) distribution with distance (x). This can be obtained to within +/-3%
using the Thwaites’ formula:

x = 0 at the leading edge, where Ue = 0, θ = 0.

The variation of the edge velocity (ue) with distance (x) is normally obtained from the
pressure distribution, with:

This ‘one-step’ method of Michel is approximate and suitable only for mild pressure gradients.

The next alternative is the ‘two-step’ approach by Granville (1953), which requires knowledge of the onset of
instability (xi) in order to predict the actual transition location (xtr)

2
 TYPICAL STABILITY ANALYSIS
Basic steps in small-disturbance stability analysis are as follows:

1. We are trying to analyse the stability of a solution to the physical problem, Qo

for example.

2. Add a disturbance variable, Q’ and substitute

(Qo + Q’)
into the basic equation.

3. From the equation(s) which result from (2), subtract the terms which satisfy Qo
exactly, what remains is the disturbance equation

4. Linearise the disturbance equation by assuming Q’«Qo and neglect Q’2 and Q’3 etc...

5. Simplify the disturbance equation still further by assuming disturbances in one

direction only.

6. Examine the eigenvalues of the disturbance equation to see if they either (1) grow -
unstable, (2) decay - stable, or (3) remain constant - neutrally stable.

This analysis typically produces a graph showing regions of stable and unstable eigenvalues
separated by neutral curves.

The Orr - Sommerfeld Equation

A stability analysis of the isothermal incompressible laminar flow equations for
both Continuity and Momentum results in:
 −i 
(U − c )(φ ' ' − α 2φ ) − U ' 'φ =  2 4
 (φ ' ' ' ' − 2α φ ' ' + α φ )
 α Re 

where a small 2D perturbation has been superimposed on the steady mean flow, U(y)

The stream function for the perturbation is given by:

ψ ( x, y , t ) = φ ( y )e iα ( x − ct )

the disturbances are Tollmien - Schlichting waves propagating at a speed (c), wave
number (α) and frequency (ω) = αc

This 4th order linear homogeneous equation, derived independently by Orr(1907) and
Sommerfeld (1908) describes all the characteristics of laminar flow stability.

3
 Solutions to the Orr-Sommerfeld equation are not straightforward, but computer
codes are readily available which provide output directly in the form of Neutral
Stability curves:

Recrit is the point at which small disturbances are

amplified – not transition

Useful source of material is in AGARD-R-709 (1984) A special course on stability and

transition in laminar flow.

Predicting Transition Location – the en method

At the transition location, waves with an initial amplitude (A0) are seen to have
developed according to the following relationship:

4
 Michel Transition Criteria

transition is assumed to occur when the local Reynolds number based upon the momentum thickness
exceeds a critical value determined by Michel’s empirical equation:

1,000,000
local Reynolds Number at transition (Rex)

900,000
800,000
700,000
Michel Transition Criterion
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
0 200 400 600 800

Reynolds number at transition based on boundary layer momentum

thickness.