On certain types of boundary-layer flow with continuous surface suction

Abstract

In this report, two matters are dealt with which were left in an unsatisfactory state in the Appendices of Reference 1. The first concerns the conditions obtaining near the front of a flat plate in a uniform stream with constant continuous suction through the plate. We now satisfactorily prove that the boundary-layer velocity profile tends to the well-known Blasius profile as the front end of the plate is approached. The second matter concerns the solution of the boundary-layer equations of motion when 'similar' velocity profiles are assumed - it is shown that only two types of outside stream velocity distributions lead to 'similar' profiles, under ordinary conditions.