Numerical analysis of two dimensional incompressible laminar and turbulent boundary layers

Abstract

The present study deals with the numerical solution of steady, two dimensional, incompressible, laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Existing numerical methods have been reviewed and a solution method is constructed which uses Finite Difference Scheme in the streamwise direction and Finite Element Method in the normal direction. Based on this solution method three versions of a computer code have been developed. SimIlar, non-similar and turbulent flows are considered as applications to test the code. The results which are summarized in tabular and graphical form, are compared with exact and other,available numerical solutions. It is observed that the performance of the program primarily depends on the number and size of the elements used, the type of the flow and the approach of separation. The accuracy is more than 99 per cent for most of the flows and 94 per cent for turbulent flow. It is concluded that the computer code developed is applicable. Finally, recommendations are given for which the computer method can be generalized and improved.