A thorough introduction to the study of boundary layer problems in physics and fluid mechanics, this treatment assumes some knowledge of classical inviscid fluid dynamics. The ordered and logical presentation is accessible to undergraduates, and professionals will benefit from the careful expositions of the limitations and accuracy of various methods.

An extensive introduction explains the boundary-layer concept and demonstrates its simplification of equations of viscous flow. Successive chapters address various aspects of solution in incompressible flow, starting with analytic solutions of the velocity field and advancing to discussions of high-accuracy numerical solutions, practical methods of calculation, and an analysis of factors that might govern the choice of a method. Several chapters on the compressible laminar boundary layer include examinations of pressure gradient and heat transfer, followed by a brief exploration of some aspects of the problem of the interaction between shock waves and laminar boundary layers. Complete references and a helpful Index conclude the text.