Use of the turbulence kinetic energy equation in prediction of nonequilibrium turbulent boundary layers

A differential method is proposed for the prediction of a broad range of turbulent boundary layers of engineering and scientific interest. A digital computer program is presented which is applicable to boundary layers with positive, negative, and zero pressure gradient in the main-stream direction as well as boundary layers with suction, blowing or zero mass addition at the wall. The turbulence kinetic energy equation is solved simultaneously with the longitudinal momentum and continuity equations to provide an independent means for determining the effective viscosity which makes allowance for history effects in the flow. It is shown that the prediction method may be easily extended to cover the energy and species equations when the need arises to predict boundary layers with thermal gradients and/or those comprised of a mixture of gases. Mathematical models have been found which adequately close the system of governing equations as evident by the successful prediction of the behavior of a wide range of equilibrium and non-equilibrium turbulent boundary layers --Abstract page ii