Modified generalized Laguerre function Tau method for solving laminar viscous flow: The Blasius equation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a Tau method for solving nonlinear Blasius equation which is a partial differential equation on a flat plate.

Design/methodology/approach

The operational matrices of derivative and product of modified generalized Laguerre functions are presented. These matrices together with the Tau method are then utilized to reduce the solution of the Blasius equation to the solution of a system of nonlinear equations.

Findings

The paper presents the comparison of this work with some well‐known results and shows that the present solution is highly accurate.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates solving of the nonlinear Blasius equation with an efficient method.

Citation

Parand, K., Dehghan, M. and Taghavi, A. (2010), "Modified generalized Laguerre function Tau method for solving laminar viscous flow: The Blasius equation", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 20 No. 7, pp. 728-743. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615531011065539