An empirical model for the mean-velocity profiles of a turbulent boundary layer under the effects of surface curvature

Abstract

An empirical model has been developed to predict the mean-velocity profile of a turbulent boundary layer under the influence of surface curvature. The model proposed is able to determine the profiles for both a convex and concave curvature. This was possible by employing the inviscid term, C,, which not only distinguishes the convex profiles from the concave profiles but its usage allows for a better prediction of these profiles. The model has been applied to experimental data from Schobeiri and Pardivala (1991) available from Texas A&M test facility. Along with these sets of data, experimental data from published literature such as So and Mellor (1973) and Kestoras and Simon (1993) have been employed in verifying the model. For all the cases, the model demonstrated a relatively high degree of accuracy in predicting the measured mean-velocity of the boundary layer and the estimated skin-friction coefficients. A skinfriction coefficient correlation has also been determined. C, is shown to affect the skinfriction coefficients in these cases.