Laminar & Turbulent Flow

In laminar flow fluid particles move along straight, parallel paths in layers or laminae. The
magnitudes of velocities of adjacent laminae are not the same. Shear stress and rate of angular
deformation govern this type of flow. The viscosity of the fluid is dominant and thus suppresses any
tendency to turbulent conditions. The Reynolds number determined for this type of flow is less than
2000. At a given cross section the velocity distribution follows a parabolic law of variation for a
laminar flow. The maximum velocity at the centre of the pipe is twice the average velocity.
In turbulent flow the particles of the fluid move in a haphazard fashion in all directions. It is
impossible to trace the motion of an individual particle. There is more uniform distribution of
velocity. The Reynolds number determined for a turbulent flow is greater than 2000.

Critical Velocity
The critical velocity of practical interest to engineers is the velocity below which all turbulence is
damped out is damped out by the viscosity of the fluid. The Reynolds number for upper limit of
laminar flow is about 2000.