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Abstract The nonlinear stability of small disturbances to the Blasius boundary layer is considered within a rational, high Reynolds number (Re), framework for a complete range of disturbance sizes The nonlinear properties of the disturbance amplitude depend crucially on the size δ relative to the inverse powers of Re. Most attention is given to the largest size of disturbance that can be dealt with, near the lower branch of the neutral curve, namely δ = O(Re -1/8), for which nonlinear effects yield supercritical equilibrium amplitudes. The nonlinear properties of smaller disturbances are profoundly affected by (inter alia) non-parallel flow effects. Comparisons are made with previous numerical studies and the importance of nonparallel flow effects in fixing the neutral curve(s) around which the nonlinear theory holds is discussed.
F. T. Smith (Thu,) studied this question.