Numerical study of the exact solution of the Navier–Stokes equations describing free-boundary fluid flow

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study of the partially invariant solution of the Navier–Stokes equations for the plane case which describes unsteady flow in a layer bounded by a straight solid wall and a free boundary parallel to it. It is found that for different initial flow velocities, a steady state can be established with a decrease or an increase in the initial layer thickness or the layer thickness can be increased infinitely due to fluid inflow from infinity.