Introduction to Laminar Boundary Layers

with Dr. David Gonzales,
GE Aviation
Monday, April 11, 9:00 – 10:00AM
310 Kelly Hall / virtual

Contact Diana Israel for virtual access

This lecture will present an introduction to the theory and application of laminar boundary layers. The lesson will begin with a statement of learning objectives followed by a brief discussion about the engineering significance of laminar boundary layers. Simplifying assumptions will be applied to the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid mechanics that lead to the well-known tractable solution developed by P. Blasius (1907). Practical examples based on the Blasius solution method will be provided.

David Gonzales is currently employed by GE Aviation in Lynn, MA, where for the past 10 years he has conducted thermal, performance, and integrated logistics analysis on military and civilian turboshaft engines for helicopter applications. Prior to GE, Dr. Gonzales was employed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory where he worked on conceptual and preliminary design projects related to national defense. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin where he developed an information theoretic model of nonequilibrium processes in shock-heated gases. Dr. Gonzales' MS degree also is from the University of Texas at Austin and his research focused on CFD modeling of hypervelocity flows. Finally, Dr. Gonzales' BS degree is in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Gonzales and his wife Sheryl have 4 kids and reside in Billerica, MA.

Host: Associate Professor of Practice, Linda Vick