Turbulent Boundary Layer — Log-Law & Roughness Correction

The universal log-law of the wall: u⁺ = (1/κ)ln(y⁺) + B. Rough surfaces shift the profile downward by ΔB = (1/κ)ln(1 + k⁺_s), the Nikuradse roughness correction. Viscous sublayer, buffer, and log regions are shown.

von Kármán κ

0.41
Smooth const B

5.0
Roughness k⁺_s

0 (smooth)
Re_τ

1000
Roughness shift ΔB = 0.00  |  Re_τ =  |  U_∞⁺ =