32
Convection on a flat plate
Consider laminar flow over a flat plate. The x-coordinate is measured along the plate surface from
the leading edge of the plate in the direction of the flow, and y is measured from the surface in the
normal direction. The fluid approaches the plate in the x-direction with a uniform upstream velocity,
which is equivalent to the free stream velocity V.
Viscous dissipation is negligible, flow is steady and incompressible.
����������→
∂u
∂x
+
∂v
∂y
=0; �‒��������→u⋅
∂u
∂x
+v⋅
∂v
∂y
=ν⋅
∂
2
u
∂y
2
; ������→u⋅
∂T
∂x
+v⋅
∂T
∂y
=α⋅
∂
2
T
∂y
2
Boundary conditions
At x=0,u(0,y)=V, T(0,y)=T
∞
At y=0,u(x,0)=0,v(x,0)=0 T(x,0)=T
w
At y→∞,u(x,∞)=V, T(x,∞)=T
∞
When fluid properties are assumed to be constant and independent of
temperature, continuity and x-momentum equations are solved separately
for velocity components u & v, (Velocity distribution will be available) and Cf & δ can be calculated
from u & v.
Continuity and momentum equations are solved by Blasius. By transforming 2 partial differential
equations into single ordinary differential equation, by using a new independent variable, called the
similarity variable.
Noticing that the general shape of velocity profile remains same along the plate, Blasius reasoned
that non-dimensional velocity profile u/v remains unchanged when plotted against non-
dimensional y/δ, as general shape of velocity profile remains same along the plate. He defined
(Dimensionless Similarity variable) �=�⋅√
�
�⋅�
(
y
δ
=η, From stokes exp→ δ∝√
ν⋅x
V
)
And thus u/v = function (η),
Stream function ψ(x , y)→ u=
∂ψ
∂y
; v=−
∂ψ
∂x
, Continuity eq.n is satisfied.
Blasius defined, �(�)=
??????
�·√
�·�
�
⁄
�=
�??????
��
=(
∂ψ
∂η
)·(
∂η
∂y
)=(V·√
νx
V
·
df
dη
)·(√
V
νx
)=�·
��
��
; �=−
�??????
��
=
�
�
·√
�
��
·(�·
��
��
−�)
��
��
=−
�
��
·�·
�
�
�
��
�
;
��
��
=�·√
�
��
·
�
�
�
��
�
;
�
�
�
��
�
=
�
�
��
·
�
�
�
��
�
Substituting the �,�,
��
��
,
��
��
,
�
�
�
��
�
in momentum equation and solving,
�
�
�
�
��
�
+�
�
�
�
��
�
=�
We obtain a third-order nonlinear differential equation. Therefore, the system of two partial
differential equations is transformed into a single ordinary differential equation by the use of a
similarity variable.
The boundary conditions obtained in terms of similarity variables can be expressed as
f(0)=0
df
dη
|
η=0
=0
df
dη
|
η=∞
=1
Transformed equation can’t be solved analytically. Blasius used power series expansion approach to
solve and later its solved by using Numerical approaches. Results obtained are
η=4.91,y=δ when
df
dη
=
u
v
=0.99 ⟹ (u=0.99·V at y=δ)