Orthogonal Coordinate Systems for Three-Dimensional Boundary Layers, with Particular Reference to Ship Forms

The problem of choosing orthogonal, curvilinear, coordinate systems for use in boundary-layer calculations on arbitrary three-dimensional bodies is considered in some detail. A general method for the practical evaluation of the various geometrical properties of the coordinates occurring in the three-dimensional boundary-layer equations is described. A particular coordinate system which appears to be the most convenient one for ship hulls is then proposed and analyzed further.