Numerical Solution Of The Equations For Compressible Laminar Transitional And Turbulent Boundary Layers And Comparisons With Experimental Data

A numerical method for solving the equations for laminar, transitional, and turbulent compressible boundary layers for either planar or axisymmetric flows is presented. The fully developed turbulent region is treated by replacing the Reynolds stress terms with an eddy viscosity model. The mean properties of the transitional boundary layer are calculated by multiplying the eddy viscosity by an intermittency function based on the statistical production and growth of the turbulent spots. A specifiable turbulent Prandtl number relates the turbulent flux of heat to the eddy viscosity. A three-point implicit finite-difference scheme is used to solve the system of equations. The momentum and energy equations are solved simultaneously without iteration. Numerous test cases are compared with experimental data for supersonic and hypersonic flows; these cases include flows with both favorable and mildly unfavorable pressure gradient histories, mass flux at the wall, and traverse curvature.

Wind tunnel investigation of laminar, transitional, and turbulent boundary layer profiles on wedge at hypersonic speed to confirm theoretical analysis.