Meade, Andrew J., Jr.2009-06-042009-06-041992Strong, Stuart Lawson. "A numerical study of a laminar, compressible boundary layer about an airfoil." (1992) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13658">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13658</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13658The primary goal of this study is to develop a finite element method for the calculation of an attached, two-dimensional, laminar, compressible boundary layer about an air-foil in a subsonic free stream. An introduction to the subsequent viscous-inviscid interaction model is also given. The two-dimensional partial differential equations are reduced to integral equations that are independent of density and resemble the weak form of the two dimensional incompressible boundary layer equations. A Galerkin finite element method is applied to this Dorodnitsyn formulation and discretized across the layer using linear interpolation functions. The finite element discretization yields a system of first order ordinary differential equations, solved by an implicit, non-iterative finite difference marching scheme in the stream-wise direction. Results presented include the coefficient of friction and displacement thickness about a circular cylinder in an incompressible freestream, the compressible boundary layer about a NACA 0012 airfoil, and a validation of the linear thermal equation.63 p.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Mechanical engineeringAerospace engineeringThesisThesis M.E. 1992 Strong