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The flat plate boundary layer. Part 3. Comparison of theory with experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

J. A. Ross
Affiliation:
Fluid Mechanics Unit, Physics Department, University of Edinburgh
F. H. Barnes
Affiliation:
Fluid Mechanics Unit, Physics Department, University of Edinburgh
J. G. Burns
Affiliation:
Fluid Mechanics Unit, Physics Department, University of Edinburgh
M. A. S. Ross
Affiliation:
Fluid Mechanics Unit, Physics Department, University of Edinburgh

Abstract

A study of Tollmien–Schlichting waves in the Blasius boundary layer has been carried out under good flow conditions. The maximum r.m.s. amplitude of u, the downstream component of perturbation velocity, was limited to about 0·06% of U0, the free-stream velocity. Measurements of the wave-number and of the distribution of u/U0 normal to the plate agree closely with the theoretical results obtained in parts 1 and 2 of this paper. The experimental critical Reynolds number, Rc, is 400; the theoretical Rc derived from the imaginary part of the eigenvalue is 500 (part 2), but additional amplification carried by the eigenvector removes most of this discrepancy.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1970 Cambridge University Press

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References

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