UNIT III:

TURBULENT FLOW
What is TURBULENT FLOW?

Turbulent flow is a type of fluid (like water or air)

movement where the flow is chaotic and
unpredictable. It’s the opposite of smooth, steady
flow, which is called laminar flow.

Imagine It Like This:

● Laminar flow is like pouring honey: the layers
of the liquid move smoothly over each other
without much mixing.
● Turbulent flow, on the other hand, is like
stirring a cup of coffee: everything swirls
around, mixes, and has little whirlpools.
What is TURBULENT FLOW?

Key Features of Turbulent Flow:

Irregular Movement: Instead of moving in straight, parallel lines, the fluid in turbulent flow
moves in swirls, eddies, and unpredictable patterns.
Mixing: In turbulent flow, the particles mix together a lot. This makes it good for things like
stirring cream into coffee, where you want everything to mix evenly.

Faster and More Energy: Turbulent flow usually happens at higher speeds or when there is a
lot of energy involved. For example, fast rivers, strong winds, or the flow of water in a pipe when
you turn the tap on full blast are usually turbulent.
Higher Friction and Resistance: Due to all the chaotic movement, turbulent flow has more
internal friction (called drag), making it harder to move through compared to laminar flow.
SHEAR STRESS DISTRIBUTION
Shear stress in a pipe is the force per unit area exerted by the fluid as it moves along the walls of the
pipe.

In fully developed turbulent flow, shear stress varies from the wall to the center of the pipe:

● It is maximum at the wall, where the fluid directly interacts with the pipe’s surface and friction
is highest.
● It decreases linearly as you move toward the center of the pipe.
● At the center of the pipe, the shear stress is essentially zero because there is no relative motion
between fluid layers (the velocity gradient is zero).
TURBULENT VELOCITY PROFILE
In turbulent flow, the velocity profile is not a simple, smooth curve like in laminar flow. Instead, it has a distinctive shape due
to the mixing and chaotic motion:

● Near the Wall (Viscous Sub-layer): Very close to the wall, the flow behaves almost like laminar flow. The velocity
increases gradually and there is a thin layer where viscosity dominates. This region is called the viscous sub-layer.
● Buffer Layer: Moving slightly away from the wall, the flow transitions from laminar-like to turbulent. This region is a mix of
viscous and turbulent effects.
● Logarithmic Layer (Turbulent Core): In the bulk of the pipe, the velocity increases rapidly. The velocity profile follows a
logarithmic law in this region. Turbulence dominates, leading to a flatter profile compared to laminar flow.
● Fully Developed Region: The velocity profile in the central part of the pipe is relatively flat. The flow speed is highest at
the center because of reduced friction and increased turbulent mixing.
INTRODUCTION TO BOUNDARY LAYER
THEORY
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY

Boundary Layer Theory is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics that

describes the behavior of a fluid flow near a solid surface. It explains the
development of velocity gradients near boundaries, such as the walls of pipes or the
surface of an aircraft. This theory is crucial for understanding drag, heat transfer,
and the stability of flows.
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY
Boundary Layer Formation:

● When a fluid flows over a solid surface, the fluid molecules in direct contact
with the surface are essentially at rest (no-slip condition). As you move away
from the surface, the fluid velocity increases until it matches the free-stream
velocity, the velocity of the fluid far from the surface.
● The boundary layer is the thin region near the surface where the velocity
changes from zero (at the surface) to the free-stream velocity.
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY
Types of Boundary Layers:

● Laminar Boundary Layer: This occurs when the flow is smooth and orderly. It typically develops in regions
with low Reynolds numbers (low velocity or highly viscous fluids). In this layer, the fluid flows in parallel
layers with minimal mixing.
● Turbulent Boundary Layer: When the Reynolds number is sufficiently high, the boundary layer becomes
unstable and transitions to turbulence. In this case, the fluid exhibits chaotic eddies and increased mixing
near the surface, leading to higher drag and heat transfer rates.
● Transitional Boundary Layer: In some cases, the flow starts laminar but transitions into turbulent flow as it
moves along the surface. The transition depends on the flow conditions (e.g., speed, surface roughness,
and fluid properties).
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY
Key Parameters in Boundary Layer Theory:

● Reynolds Number (Re):

A dimensionless number that characterizes the type of flow. It is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous
forces and is given by:

Where ρ is the fluid density, U is the free-stream velocity, L is the characteristic length, and μ is the
dynamic viscosity. When Re is low, the boundary layer is likely laminar; at high Re, it tends to
become turbulent.

● Thickness of the Boundary Layer (δ):

The boundary layer thickness is defined as the distance from the surface to the point where the fluid
velocity is 99% of the free-stream velocity. It increases along the surface in a steady flow.
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY
Velocity Profile:

● In a laminar boundary layer, the velocity profile follows a parabolic shape, with zero velocity
at the wall and maximum velocity at the outer edge of the boundary layer.
● In a turbulent boundary layer, the velocity profile is more complex, with a steep gradient
near the wall (due to the no-slip condition) and a more gradual increase toward the free-
stream velocity.
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY
Boundary Layer Separation:

● Boundary layer separation occurs when the boundary layer loses its momentum and
detaches from the surface. This typically happens when the flow slows down or changes
direction, such as when a fluid encounters a sudden expansion or sharp curvature in a
surface. The separated flow creates a wake and increases drag.
BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY

Applications of Boundary Layer Theory:

● Aerodynamics: Understanding how boundary layers form and behave is crucial for
designing aircraft, rockets, and vehicles to minimize drag and improve fuel efficiency.

● Heat Transfer: The boundary layer affects heat transfer between the surface and the
fluid, impacting applications like heat exchangers, cooling systems, and even the
thermal performance of electronic components.

● Flow Control: Managing the boundary layer can lead to more efficient designs by
controlling separation and reducing drag (e.g., through the use of vortex generators or
boundary layer suction).