ANALYSIS OF BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY ON FLUID DYNAMICS WITH COMPLETE HYDRODYNAMICS

Abstract

This paper presents the study of flow inside the boundary layer by applying the CFD method.  The overall aim of this report is to look at the development of boundary layers across various bodies, for example, flat plates, and to gam an understanding of the effects of the boundary layer growth on different aspects of the flow field, such as separation and reattachment To do this a wind tunnel facility was required and the experimental results from this validated against CFD results The combinations of experimental and numerical analysis allowed the author to describe scientifically such effects. Boundary layers, although unnoticeable to the naked eye, are a characteristic found where the velocity of a fluid relative to a solid surface is zero, hence in the vicinity of this surface a region of velocity increases rapidly from zero up to mainstream velocity This has the undesirable effect of causing turbulent flow over long surfaces, which reduce the performance of moving solids (examples being cyclists, automobiles, aircraft) by introducing frictional drag forces It has been noted that skin-function drag is strongly enhanced by the onset of turbulence, however, in turn, this turbulence is also greatly enhanced by the separation of the airflow In combination this laminar flow separation and skin-function drag decrease lift effects and/or increase pressure drag on aerodynamic surfaces, resulting in decreased efficiency, that is, increased fuel consumption This research aims to examine the development of the boundary layer Specifically the study will look at the effects of separation within the boundary layer and on its impact on the development of the boundary layer and other aspects of the fluid flow.