Introduction

Since the physical description of the boundary layer by Ludwig Prandtl in 1904, there
have been many developments in this field. There are improved analytical relations for
certain relations for certain situations and mathematical models, for example
implemented in computational methods, however, there is not as much as research done
on the manipulations of the boundary layer since the discovery of the boundary layer.
This can be of interest for studies on efficiency or drag of wings of air crafts or blades of
wind turbines.

The problem addressed in the present research is to carry out experiments on boundary
layers which have rough and smooth surface to measure the boundary layer velocity layer
and observed the growth of the boundary layer. Also, to measure the boundary layer
properties for the measured velocity profile and the effect of the surface roughness on the
development of the boundary layer. The experiment is carried out in Fluid Labs in UiTM
Shah Alam using an air flow bench.

in short, the experiment is used to see the difference on the boundary layer for smooth
and rough surface.

1
Objectives
1. To measure the boundary layer velocity layer and observed the growth of the
boundary layer for flat plate with smooth and rough surface.

2. To measure boundary layer properties for the measured velocity profile.

3. To study the effect of surface roughness on the development of the boundary layer.

2
Theory
Some measures of boundary layer properties are described below:
The boundary layer thickness, is used for a thickness beyond which the velocity is
essentially the free-stream velocity U. This is customarily defined as the distance from
the wall to the point where

Figure 1: Boundary Layer Thickness

The displacement thickness, * is the distance by which the solid boundary would have
to be displaced flow the same deficit exist in the boundary layer. The mathematical
definition of the displacement thickness for incompressible flow is given by

Figure 2: Displacement Thickness

3
The momentum thickness, is defined as the thickness of the layer fluid of velocity, U
(free stream velocity), for which the momentum flux is equal to the deficit of momentum
flux through the boundary layer. Mathematically it is defined as

The equation for velocity measured by pitot tube s given as

The Blassiuss exact solution to the laminar boundary layer yields the following
equations for the above properties.

Due to complexity of the flow, there is no exact solution to the turbulent boundary
layer. The properties of the boundary layer are approximated using the momentum
integral equation which results in the following expression:

4
Another measured of the boundary layer is the shape factor, H, which is the ratio
displacement thickness to the momentum thickness, H=*/. For laminar flow, H increase
from 2.6 to 3.5 at separation. For turbulent boundary layer, H increase from 1.3
approximately 2.5 at separation.

5
Apparatus
1. Airflow bench provide adjustable air steam which enables a series of experiment
to be connected.

2. Test apparatus consists of rectangular duct with duct flat. One side of the plate
is smooth and other rough. Pitot tube tip is set in zero plane of scale. By moving
the plate up and down, the leading edge can be set to the given distance from pitot
tube.

3. Micrometer scale to measure the displacement of pitot tube from wall.

4. Velocity measurement velocity is measured using total and static probes which
connected to multi-tube manometer.

5. Ruler to measure the flat plate.

Static Tube

Pitot Tube Micrometer scale

Pitot tube tip

Figure: Apparatus
Ruler
Flat plate

6
Procedure
1. The apparatus was set up on the bench. Smooth surface of the plane was used
for the first part of the experiment.

2. The position of the central plate was adjusted to set the measurement plate at the
required distance from leading edge was 50mm.

3. The fan was switch on and the air flow speeds at medium speed to set the air
stream. The total pressured were read for the range of several points as the tube
traverse toward the plate at an interval 0.25mm.

4. When the pressure began to fall, reduced the increment of the advanced to clearly
define the velocity profile. The pressure reading was not fail to zero as the pitot
tube has a finite thickness. The further indication has been reach was that the
pressure reading will be zero.

5. Step 2 and 5 were repeated for setup of measurement plane at 200m.

6. The entire experiment was repeated for rough surface plate.

7
Result and Data Analysis
At Room temperature: 20 C;
oil = 784 kg/m3
air = 1.225 kg/m3
air = 1.857 x 10-5 m2/s

2
Velocity, u = m/s

To determine boundary layers thickness at position of x is where the maximum velocity,

u approached the value of free stream velocity. Which means = 0.99 at the highest
boundary layers at position x.

Reynolds number, Rex =

For Reynolds number, Rex < 5 x 10^5 is laminar flow.

For Reynolds number, Rex > 5 x 10^5 is turbulent flow.

8
 Data for smooth plate for 0.05m leading edge:

Static Total Differenti

Micromet Differenti
pressure pressure al Velocity,
er al u u u
reading
manomet manomete
manomet
manomet
U U 1 U
er, r, h er height (m/s)
y (mm) er height
h (mBar) (mBar) h (mm)
h(mBar)
0 9.60 11.60 2.00 25.60 17.93 0.8165 0.1498
0.25 9.60 12.00 2.40 30.72 19.64 0.8944 0.0944
0.50 9.60 12.20 2.60 33.28 20.44 0.9308 0.0644
0.75 9.60 12.40 2.80 35.84 21.21 0.9658 0.0330
1.00 9.60 12.40 2.80 35.84 21.21 0.9658 0.0330
1.25 9.60 12.40 2.80 35.84 21.21 0.9658 0.0330
1.50 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0
1.75 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0
2.00 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0
2.25 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0
2.50 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0
2.75 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0
3.00 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 1 0

Table 1

Free stream velocity, u (m/s) = 21.96

Reynolds number, Ux/ = 0. 7243 x 10 (laminar)

9
 Data for smooth plate for 0.2m leading edge:

Static Total Differenti

Micromet Differenti
pressure pressure al Velocity,
er al u u u
reading
manomet manomete
manomet
manomet
U U 1 U
er, r, h er height (m/s)
y (mm) er height
h (mBar) (mBar) h (mm)
h(mBar)
0 9.40 12.20 2.80 37.52 21.71 0.9286 0.0663
0.25 9.40 12.20 2.80 37.52 21.71 0.9286 0.0663
0.50 9.40 12.40 3.00 38.40 21.96 0.9393 0.0570
0.75 9.40 12.40 3.00 38.40 21.96 0.9393 0.0570
1.00 9.40 12.60 3.20 40.96 22.68 0.9700 0.0291
1.25 9.40 12.60 3.20 40.96 22.68 0.9700 0.0291
1.50 9.40 12.60 3.20 40.96 22.68 0.9700 0.0291
1.75 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0
2.00 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0
2.25 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0
2.50 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0
2.75 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0
3.00 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0
3.25 9.40 12.80 3.40 43.52 23.38 1 0

Table 2

Free stream velocity, u (m/s) = 23.38

Reynolds number, Ux/ = 3.0846 x 10 (laminar)

10
 Data for rough plate for 0.05m leading edge:

Static Total Differenti

Micromet Differenti
pressure pressure al Velocity,
er al u u u
reading
manomet manomete
manomet
manomet
U U 1 U
er, r, h er height (m/s)
y (mm) er height
h (mBar) (mBar) h (mm)
h(mBar)
0 9.60 12.40 2.80 35.84 21.21 0.9352 0.0606
0.25 9.60 12.40 2.80 35.84 21.21 0.9352 0.0606
0.50 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 0.9683 0.0307
0.75 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 0.9683 0.0307
1.00 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 0.9683 0.0307
1.25 9.60 12.60 3.00 38.40 21.96 0.9683 0.0307
1.50 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0
1.75 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0
2.00 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0
2.25 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0
2.50 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0
2.75 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0
3.00 9.60 12.80 3.20 40.96 22.68 1 0

Table 3

Free stream velocity, u (m/s) = 22.68

Reynolds number, Ux/ = 0.7480 x 10 (laminar)

11
 Data for rough plate for 0.2m leading edge:

Static Total Differenti

Micromet Differenti
pressure pressure al Velocity,
er al u u u
reading
manomet manomete
manomet
manomet
U U 1 U
er, r, h er height (m/s)
y (mm) er height
h (mBar) (mBar) h (mm)
h(mBar)
0 9.40 11.40 2.0 25.60 17.93 0.7669 0.1788
0.25 9.40 11.60 2.2 28.16 18.80 0.8041 0.1575
0.50 9.40 12.00 2.6 33.28 20.44 0.8743 0.1099
0.75 9.40 12.00 2.6 33.28 20.44 0.8743 0.1099
1.00 9.40 12.20 2.8 35.84 21.21 0.9072 0.0842
1.25 9.40 12.40 3.0 38.40 21.96 0.9393 0.0570
1.50 9.40 12.40 3.0 38.40 21.96 0.9393 0.0570
1.75 9.40 12.40 3.0 38.40 21.96 0.9393 0.0570
2.00 9.40 12.60 3.2 40.96 22.68 0.9700 0.0291
2.25 9.40 12.60 3.2 40.96 22.68 0.9700 0.0291
2.50 9.40 12.60 3.2 40.96 22.68 0.9700 0.0291
2.75 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0
3.00 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0
3.25 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0
3.50 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0
3.75 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0
4.00 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0
4.25 9.40 12.80 3.4 43.52 23.38 1 0

Table 4

Free stream velocity, u (m/s) = 23.38

Reynolds number, Ux/ = 3.0846 x 10 (laminar)

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Sample calculation
For smooth surface from 0.05m leading edge:
= 11.6mBar 9.6mBar
= 2.00mBar
Convert mBar to mm
64
= 2.00mBar x 5 = 25.60mm

2
Velocity, u = m/s

2 (0.784)(9.81)(25.60)
= m/s
1.225

= 17.93 m/s

Free stream velocity, U = 21.96m/s

u 17.93
= 21.96
U
= 0.8165

u u 17.93 17.93
U 1 U = 21.96 [1 21.96]

= 0.1498

Reynolds number, Re =

(1.225)(21.96)(0.05)
= 1.857x 105

= 0. 7243 x 10 (laminar)

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 u
Graph micrometer reading vs
U
Data for smooth plate for 0.05m leading edge:

Micrometer reading vs u/U

3.5
micrometer reading (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
u/U

Graph 1

Data for smooth plate for 0.2m leading edge:

Micrometer reading vs u/U

3.5
micrometer reading (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0.92 0.93 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 1 1.01
u/U

Graph 2

14
Data for rough plate for 0.05m leading edge:

Micrometer reading vs u/U

3.5
micrometer reading (mm)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0.93 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98 0.99 1 1.01
u/U

Graph 3

Data for rough plate for 0.2m leading edge:

Micrometer reading vs u/U

4.5
4
micrometer reading (mm)

3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
u/U

Graph 4

15
For experimental value:
Boundary layer thickness,
Smooth (50mm) = 1.25mm
Smooth (200mm) = 1.50mm
Rough (50mm) = 1.25mm
Rough (200mm) = 2.50mm

Displacement thickness, *
The graph shows the parabolic profile. Therefore, u/U = 2 (y/ )(y/ ) 2
By using,

Insert the value of experimental boundary layer thickness,

Displacement thickness, *
Smooth (50mm) = 0.42mm
Smooth (200mm) = 0.50mm

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 Rough (50mm) = 0.42mm
Rough (200mm) = 0.83mm

Momentum thickness,

The graph shows the parabolic profile. Therefore, u/U = 2 (y/ )(y/ ) 2
By using,

Insert the value of experimental boundary layer thickness,

Momentum thickness,
Smooth (50mm) = 0.17mm
Smooth (200mm) = 0.20mm
Rough (50mm) = 0.17mm
Rough (200mm) = 0.33mm

17
For theoretical value:
Boundary layer thickness,
By using,

Boundary layer thickness,

Smooth (50mm) = 0.93mm
Smooth (200mm) = 1.80mm
Rough (50mm) = 0.91mm
Rough (200mm) = 1.80mm

Displacement thickness, *
By using,

Displacement thickness, *
Smooth (50mm) = 0.32mm
Smooth (200mm) = 0.62mm
Rough (50mm) = 0.31mm
Rough (200mm) = 0.62mm

Momentum thickness,
By using,

18
Momentum thickness,
Smooth (50mm) = 0.12mm
Smooth (200mm) = 0.24mm
Rough (50mm) = 0.12mm
Rough (200mm) = 0.24mm

Boundary layer thickness,

Experimental value Theoretically value Percentage error

(%)
Smooth (50mm) 1.25mm 0.93mm 34.4
Smooth (200mm) 1.50mm 1.80mm 16.6
Rough (50mm) 1.25mm 0.91mm 37.36
Rough (200mm) 2.50mm 1.80mm 38.89

Displacement thickness, *

Experimental value Theoretically value Percentage error

(%)
Smooth (50mm) 0.42mm 0.32mm 31.25
Smooth (200mm) 0.50mm 0.62mm 19.35
Rough (50mm) 0.42mm 0.31mm 35.48
Rough (200mm) 0.83mm 0.62mm 33.87

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Momentum thickness,

Experimental value Theoretically value Percentage error

(%)
Smooth (50mm) 0.17mm 0.12mm 41.66
Smooth (200mm) 0.20mm 0.24mm 16.66
Rough (50mm) 0.17mm 0.12mm 41.66
Rough (200mm) 0.33mm 0.24mm 37.50

20
References
1. Thermofluids Lab sheet, Thermofluid Lab KJM470/LS2/Rev. 00-2008

2. Schlichting, Hermann, et al. Boundary-Layer Theory. Springer, 2017.

3. Patankar, Suhas V. Calculation of Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layer on a

Flat Plate. H.M.S.O., 1969.

4. Laminar Flow. S.n., 1956.

5. http://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2016/08/difference-between-laminar-and-
turbulent-flow.html

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Appendix

22