Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 March 2006
A comprehensive set of exact solutions to the first-order boundary-layer equations has been computed using the finite difference computer programme of Sells, with and without wall cooling. The effects of Prandtl number, wall cooling and Mach number on separation point location were studied. Values of displacement thickness, skin friction coefficient and Stanton number are displayed graphically for the supersonic flow over a circular concave arc, for a subsonic cooled cylinder and for the case of a linearly retarded velocity distribution. The influence of pressure gradient on recovery factor was studied. Velocity and temperature profiles are shown for four cold wall cases. The exact computer results show the errors in many of the more approximate methods available for the case where Ue = U∞(1 - X/L). The importance of second-order effects and the applicability of a first-order solution are discussed briefly.