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Boundary-Layer Transition Correlations

Streamwise transition

\(\mathrm{Re}_\theta / M_e\) criterion

Berry, S. A., and Horvath, T. J., "Discrete Roughness Transition for Hypersonic Flight Vehicles," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2008, pp. 216–227.

van Driest–Blumer correlation

van Driest, E. R., and Blumer, C. B., "Boundary Layer Transition: Freestream Turbulence and Pressure Gradient Effects," AIAA Journal, Vol. 1, No. 6, 1963, pp. 1303–1306.

Pate–Schueler noise correlation

Pate, S. R., and Schueler, C. J., "Radiated Aerodynamic Noise Effects on Boundary-Layer Transition in Supersonic and Hypersonic Wind Tunnels," AIAA Journal, Vol. 7, No. 3, 1969, pp. 450–457.

Crossflow transition

Crossflow Reynolds number \(\mathrm{Re}_{cf}\)

Owen, P. R., and Randall, D. G., "Boundary Layer Transition on a Sweptback Wing," RAE TM Aero 277, Royal Aircraft Establishment, 1952.

Reed, H. L., and Haynes, T. S., "Transition Correlations in Three-Dimensional Boundary Layers," AIAA Journal, Vol. 32, No. 5, 1994, pp. 923–929.

Arnal C1 criterion

Arnal, D., Habiballah, M., and Coustols, E., "Théorie de l'instabilité laminaire et critères de transition en écoulement bi et tridimensionnel," La Recherche Aérospatiale, No. 2, 1984, pp. 125–143.

\(\gamma\)\(\mathrm{Re}_{\theta t}\) crossflow extensions

Grabe, C., and Krumbein, A., "Correlation-Based Transition Transport Modeling for Three-Dimensional Aerodynamic Configurations," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 50, No. 5, 2013, pp. 1533–1539.

Langtry, R. B., Sengupta, K., Yeh, D. T., and Dorgan, A. J., "Extending the \(\gamma\)-\(\overline{\mathrm{Re}_{\theta t}}\) Local Correlation Based Transition Model for Crossflow Effects," AIAA Paper 2015-2474, 2015.

Nose-bluntness effects

Stetson blunt-cone correlations

Stetson, K. F., "Nosetip Bluntness Effects on Cone Frustum Boundary Layer Transition in Hypersonic Flow," AIAA Paper 83-1763, 1983.

Roughness-induced transition

Roughness Reynolds number \(\mathrm{Re}_{kk}\)

Schneider, S. P., "Effects of Roughness on Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Transition," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2008, pp. 193–209.

PANT-type correlations

Reda, D. C., "Review and Synthesis of Roughness-Dominated Transition Correlations for Reentry Applications," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2002, pp. 161–167.

Amplitude methods

\(e^N\) method

Smith, A. M. O., and Gamberoni, N., "Transition, Pressure Gradient and Stability Theory," Report ES 26388, Douglas Aircraft Co., 1956.

van Ingen, J. L., "A Suggested Semi-Empirical Method for the Calculation of the Boundary Layer Transition Region," Report VTH-74, Delft University of Technology, 1956.

Mack, L. M., "Boundary-Layer Linear Stability Theory," AGARD Report No. 709, 1984.


  1. Van Driest, E.R. & Blumer, C.B. (1963). Boundary layer transition: freestream turbulence and pressure gradient effects. AIAA J., 1(6), 1303-1306. 

  2. Mack, L.M. (1975). Linear stability theory and the problem of supersonic boundary-layer transition. AIAA J., 13(3), 278-289. 

  3. Dhawan, S. & Narasimha, R. (1958). Some properties of boundary layer flow during the transition from laminar to turbulent motion. J. Fluid Mech., 3(4), 418-436. 

  4. Deem, R.E. & Murphy, J.S. (1965). Flat plate boundary-layer transition at hypersonic speeds. AIAA Paper 65-128. 

  5. Hopkins, E.J., Jillie, D.W. & Sorensen, V.L. (1970). Charts for estimating boundary-layer transition on flat plates. NASA TN D-5846.