Boundary layer response to arbitrary acceleration

Abstract

In this paper the response of the laminar boundary layer on a flat plate to arbitrary translation were investigated numerically. It was found that accelerating velocity profiles have steeper gradients in the near wall region and a lightly thicker boundary layer when compared to steady state results ([3],[15]). The gradient were proportional to the acceleration parameter. Decelerating velocity profiles indicated that flow reversal took place. This reversal was proportional to the deceleration. The boundary layer was thinner than calculated in the steady state case. Three types of responses of the boundary layer to changing conditions in the relative frame velocity have been identified; Response Type I which is viscous dominant, Response Type II where certain regions in the boundary layer are dominated by viscosity and other regions by momentum and Response Type III which is dominated by momentum.