Experimental Investigation of the Thickness of the Boundary Layer and the Location of the Transitional Region Along a Wing Section

Author: Putt, Donald Leander

Year: 1938

Degree: Master's thesis

Advisor: Sechler, Ernest Edwin

Committee Members: Sechler, Ernest Edwin; Millikan, Clark Blanchard; von Kármán, Theodore

Option: Aeronautics

DOI: 10.7907/ZZVX-7082

Abstract

A general review of the investigation of the thickness of the boundary layer and the location of the transition point on an airplane wing in free flight that have been published to date is presented, along with some of the conclusions that have been reached from the results of the investigations.

The development and design of apparatus for the experimental determination of the thickness of the boundary layer, and the location of the point of transition from laminar to turbulent flow in the boundary layer which can be readily attached to the surface of a metal airplane wing is described.

Also the method and technique developed for recording the data and the interpretation of the test results are described in detail.

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