On solutions of the compressible laminar boundary-layer equations and their behaviour near separation

Abstract

A numerical solution of the two-dimensional compressible laminar boundary-layer equations up to the point of separation is presented. For a particular mainstream velocity distribution it is necessary to specify the surface temperature (or the heat flux across the surface), the suction velocity, the free-stream Mach number and the viscosity-temperature relationship for a solution to be generated. The effect upon the position of separation of a hot or cold wall and of varying the free-stream Mach number is given special emphasis. The variations of the skin friction, heat transfer and various boundary-layer thicknesses for compressible flow past a circular cylinder and for flow with a linearly retarded mainstream were found. The behaviour of the solutions close to separation is investigated. Known functions which model the skin friction and heat transfer are introduced and are used to match the numerical solutions with the Buckmaster (1970) expansions.