Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present in a systematic way the stochastic theory of the natural laminar-turbulent transition in the boundary layer. A new description is put forward of the intermittency factor by means of the three-parameter cumulative function of the Weilbull distribution. Transforming this function, it is possible to obtain, a linear equation allowing us to determine the point of onset of laminar-turbulent transition, the clraracteristic length of the transition and the rate of turbulent spot production g₀. Although the intermittency factor calculatecl theoretically based on discontinuom funciions for the rate of spot production (Dirac delta and step function) agrees well with the experimental values, there is a need for search of a continuous left-borndecl function corresponding more appropriately to experimental observations.