High Rayleigh number thermal convection in a horizontal fluid layer with uniform volumetric energy sources and a constant rate of bottom heating is studied analytically by a simple boundary layer approach. Heat transfer characteristics of the layer are defined in terms of local boundary-layer variables. Correlation equations are derived for the upper and the lower surface Nusselt numbers as functions of two independent Rayleigh numbers, based respectively on the surface to surface temperature difference and the volumetric heating rate. Variation of the turbulent core temperature, which so far has not been determined successfully by existing analytical methods, is obtained. This is found to depend on a single dimensionless parameter which measures the relative rates of internal and external heating. Results of this study are presented with available experimental data.
