How the Raleigh Flow Transits to Blasius Numerically

Abstract

This paper answers the question numerically how a two-dimensional incompressible Rayleigh boundary layer started impulsively past a semi-infinite flat plate with uniform velocity in the mainstream transits to steady Blasius flow. It is shown that the transition is a convective transition and smooth with no discontinuities. It is effected by the parameters called the convective and angular parameters. The velocity field gets disintegrated into discrete dissimilar diffusive layers of different convective orders. This is an example based on modified boundary layer theory of Sarma. Polynomial solutions are found using the theory of definite thickness boundary layers and the method of weighted residuals. This modifies the numerical works of Hall and Dennis, which are based on Stewartson’s theory of propagation of disturbances.