Tutorial 8: Flow Analysis using Differential Methods (I)

MECH 2210 - Fluid Mechanics (L2)

Spring 23-24

Justin Sun
[email protected]

8th April 2024

1 Concept Recap
1.1 Continuity Equation
1.1.1 Cartesian Coordinates
In Chapter 6, we have the following Continuity Equation:

∂ρ ∂(ρu) ∂(ρv) ∂(ρw)

+ + + =0
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z
∂ρ
+ ∇ · ρV = 0 (1)
∂t

We can compare this to the Continuity Equation from Chapter 5:

Z Z
Dmsys ∂
= ρ dV– + ρV · n dA = 0
Dt ∂t C.V. C.S.

where (i): ∂ρ ∂
R
∂t
corresponds to ∂t C.V.
ρ dV– , which describes the change in mass with respect to a
possibly
R changing control volume (or volume element) considered, and (ii): ∇ · ρV corresponds
to C.S. ρV · n dA, which describes the mass of fluid going in and out of the fluid element.

If a flow is steady, recall that it means fluid properties do not vary over time, i.e., ∂ρ
∂t
= 0, where
fluid density will not change over time, therefore, the continuity equation can be simplified to the
following:

∇ · ρV = 0 (2)

Furthermore, an incompressibility assumption can be made where we assume that density is

constant throughout the fluid, such that we can simplify the equation as follows:
∂ρ
+ ∇ · ρV = 0
∂t
0 + ρ∇ · V = 0

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 ∇·V =0 (3)

where it can be equivalently written as follows:

∂u ∂v ∂w
+ + =0 (4)
∂x ∂y ∂z

1.1.2 Cylindrical Polar Coordinates (not the focus of this course)

Note that the conversion between Cartesian: (x, y, z) and Polar: (r, θ, z) coordinates is as follows:

x = r cos θ

y = r sin θ

z =z


and the velocity vector is represented as follows in Cylindrical Polar Coordinates:

V = Vr r̂ + Vθ θ̂ + Vz ẑ

Our Continuity Equation in Cylindrical Polar Coordinates is then as follows:

∂ρ
+ ∇ · ρV = 0
∂t
∂ρ 1 ∂ 1 ∂ ∂
+ (rρVr ) + (ρVθ ) + (ρVz ) = 0 (5)
∂t r ∂r r ∂θ ∂z

where similar to the Cartesian coordinates, a steady flow assumption reduces the above to the
following:

1 ∂ 1 ∂ ∂
(rρVr ) + (ρVθ ) + (ρVz ) = 0 (6)
r ∂r r ∂θ ∂z

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and the incompressibility assumption reduces Eq. (5) to the following:

1 ∂ 1 ∂ ∂
(rVr ) + Vθ + Vz = 0 (7)
r ∂r r ∂θ ∂z
since the density ρ is constant.

A detailed derivation of the Continuity Equation in Cylindrical Polar Coordinates can be found
at https://demichie.github.io/NS cylindrical/ for those who are interested, but it is certainly not
needed.

1.2 Stream Function and Streamlines - ψ

From the incompressible continuity equations Eq. (3) and Eq. (4), we have the following:

∂u ∂v ∂w
+ + =0
∂x ∂y ∂z
If we only consider a 2D case, it reduces to:
∂u ∂v
+ =0 (8)
∂x ∂y
We employ a stream function ψ(x, y) build a relationship between u and v where we have:

∂ψ ∂ψ
dψ = dx + dy = −vdx + udy (9)
∂x ∂y

such that when ψ = const., we have:

dψ = −vdx + udy = 0
dy v
= (10)
dx u
where when ψ = const. it defines the flow along a streamline. Given a stream function, combined
with the relationship from Eq (8), we can use it to find velocity components u and v where:

∂ψ ∂ψ
u= v=− (11)
∂y ∂x

Note: Stream Functions are only applicable if the flow is 2D incompressible flow and is a direct
result of the Continuity Equation (Conservation of Mass).

1.3 Velocity Potential - ϕ

The velocity potential is a function ϕ(x, y, z) such that the following is satisfied:
∂ϕ ∂ϕ ∂ϕ
u= v= w=
∂x ∂y ∂z
or equivalently V = ∇ϕ in vector form.

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For irrotational flows, the following must be true:
∂v ∂u ∂w ∂v ∂u ∂w
= = =
∂x ∂y ∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x
by definition of the vorticity of a flow, it is the curl where ∇ × V = 0.

Assuming incompressible flow, we have ∇ · V = 0, combining with our velocity vector in terms of
the velocity potential, V = ∇ϕ, we get the following:
∇·V =0
∇ · (∇ϕ) = 0
∇2 ϕ = 0 (12)
or equivalently:
∂ 2ϕ ∂ 2ϕ ∂ 2ϕ
+ + 2 =0 (13)
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂z
which is Laplace’s Equation.

Note: Velocity Potentials are valid for both 2D and 3D cases, where if a flow is irrotational, a
Velocity Potential function must exist. However, the Laplace Equation above is only valid if the
flow is both incompressible and irrotational .

Furthermore, we can relate the stream functions and velocity potential if the flow is both irrota-
tional and incompressible by the following relationship:

∂ϕ ∂ψ

 u = =
∂x ∂y



(14)
∂ϕ ∂ψ


v = =−


∂y ∂x
in Cartesian coordinates, and the following:
∂ϕ 1 ∂ψ


 Vr = =

 ∂r r ∂θ
(15)
Vθ = 1 ∂ϕ = − ∂ψ



r ∂θ ∂r
in Cylindrical coordinates.

Lastly, if we have constant streamlines, i.e., ψ = const., we have:

dy v
=
dx u
and if we have constant velocity potential, i.e., ϕ = const., we have:
dy u
=−
dx v
which may give us another relationship between the stream function and velocity potential.

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2 Exercises
2.1 Question 1
Determine the stream function corresponding to the velocity potential as follows:

ϕ = x3 − 3xy 2

Sketch the streamline ψ = 0, which passes through the origin.

2.1.1 Solution
Recall Eq. (14), where we relate the stream function and velocity potential. Therefore we have
the following:
∂ϕ ∂ψ
u= =
∂x ∂y
∂ψ
3x2 − 3y 2 =
∂y
Z
ψ = (3x2 − 3y 2 )dy

ψ = 3x2 y − y 3 + f1 (x)

where we have f1 which is our unknown integration function residual (like an integration constant
+C, but since the function ψ is a function of both x and y, any differentiation of a x only de-
pendent function, i.e., f1 (x) will be zero. Therefore, when we integrate with respect to y, where
unknown f1 (x) acts as an integration constant).

Similarly, we also have the following:

∂ϕ ∂ψ
v= =−
∂y ∂x
∂ψ
−6xy = −
Z ∂x
ψ= 6xydx

ψ = 3x2 y + f2 (y)

Since both of the above stream functions must be valid and therefore identical, we have the
following:

3x2 y − y 3 + f1 (x) = 3x2 y + f2 (y)

−y 3 + f1 (x) = f2 (y)

It follows that f1 (x) = c where c is a constant since the right-hand side is a function of y only,
and f2 (y) = −y 3 + c. Finally, we have the expression of a stream function as follows:

ψ = 3x2 y − y 3 + c

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Now for ψ = 0, which passes through the origin, i.e., (x, y) = (0, 0), setting this as a boundary
condition, we have:

ψ = 3x2 y − y 3 + c
0 = 3(0)(0) − (0) + c
c=0

Therefore, we have the following relationship:

0 = 3x2 y − y 3
y(y 2 ) = y(3x2 )
y 2 = 3x2
√
y = ± 3x

Note that we also have a solution for y = 0 since when we divided by y in the second step, we
assumed y ̸= 0.

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2.2 Question 2
Water flows over a flat surface at 4 ft/s, as shown below. A pump draws off water through a
narrow slit at a volume rate of 0.1 ft3 /s per foot length of the slit. Assume that the fluid is
incompressible and inviscid and can be represented by the combination of a uniform flow and
a sink. Locate the stagnation point on the wall (point A) and determine the equation for the
stag-nation streamline. How far above the surface, H, must the fluid be so that it does not get
sucked into the slit?

Note: Give your answer in ft.

2.2.1 Solution
Given the flow can be represented by a combination of uniform flow and a sink, we can simply
sum their stream functions (one of the many advantages of potential flows! ) in terms of polar
cylindrical coordinates by taking the slit as the origin:

ψ = ψuniform + ψsink
m
ψ = U r sin θ − θ
2π
From Eq. (15), we can find the corresponding velocity components Vr :
1 ∂ψ
Vr =
r ∂θ
1 m
= U r cos θ −
r 2π
m
Vr = U cos θ −
2πr
and Vθ as follows:
∂ψ
Vθ = −
∂r
Vθ = −U sin θ

First, we locate the stagnation point A, i.e., when velocity components Vr = Vθ = 0. Denoting
the point as rA , we have the following:
m
Vr = 0 = U cos θ −
2πrA

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 m
= U cos θ
2πrA
m
rA =
2πU cos θ
Note that we have θ = 0 or θ = π, and we choose θ = 0 since it is on the right side of the origin (the
slit). Furthermore, since m is defined as the volumetric flow rate per unit length perpendicular
to the x − y plane, and since we only have flow above the origin, we have m = 0.1 × 2 = 0.2 ft3 /s.
This is because our ψsink is for modelling a flow that has fluid above and below the actual sink
point, and therefore by symmetry, if the sink has flow going into it at 0.1ft3 /s above it, it must
have the same flow rate going into it below it, leading to a strength of m = 0.2ft3 /s. Substituting
these values and U = 4ft/s, we have the following:
m
rA =
2πU cos θ
0.2
=
2π4 cos 0
rA = 7.957747155 × 10−3 ft

Lastly, we want to find how far above the surface, H, such that the fluid does not get sucked
into the slit. Notice that since we have found a stagnation point, along that streamline (the path
where the fluid particle has travelled), it reaches A without being sucked into the slit with zero
velocity, and the streamlines to the right of it will no longer be sucked into the slit. We find
the stream function ψA which goes through the stagnation point A, where r = rA , and θ = 0,
therefore, we have:
m
ψA = U rA sin θ − θ
2π
=0−0
ψA = 0

Therefore, along the streamline, we have:

m
ψA = 0 = U r sin θ − θ
2π
m
r sin θ = θ
2U π

At H, we have θ → π, therefore, for r sin θ = H, we finally have the following:

H = r sin θ
m
= θ
2U π
0.2 π
=
2(4) π
H = 0.025 ft

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3 Additional Problems
3.1 Question 3
Consider the two-dimensional channel flow where the velocity is described as follows:

V = (2x2 y + x)i + (2xy 2 + y + 1)j

Prove whether the given velocity satisfies the conservation of mass in differential form.

3.1.1 Solution
We have u = 2x2 y + x and v = 2xy 2 + y + 1. The conservation of mass in differential form can be
extracted by taking the x and y components from Eq. (4) as follows:

∂u ∂v
+ =0
∂x ∂y
Therefore, we compute the following:
∂u ∂v
+ = (4xy + 1) + (4xy + 1)
∂x ∂y
= 8xy + 2
∂u ∂v
+ ̸= 0
∂x ∂y
Therefore, the velocity does not satisfy the conservation of mass.

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3.2 Question 4
The stream function for an incompressible, two-dimensional flow field is ψ = ay − by 3 , where a
and b are constants. Is this an irrotational flow? Explain.

3.2.1 Solution
For a two-dimensional flow to be irrotational, we must have:
 
1 ∂v ∂u
ωz = − =0
2 ∂x ∂y

For the given stream function following Eq. (14), we have:

∂ψ
u=
∂y
u = a − 3by 2

and we have:
∂ψ
v=−
∂x
v=0

Therefore, computing the vorticity ωz , we have the following:

 
1 ∂v ∂u
ωz = −
2 ∂x ∂y
1
= (0 − (−6by))
2
ωz = 3by

Therefore, the flow is only irrotational across the whole flow field if b = 0. Otherwise, if b ̸= 0,
the flow is rotational.

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3.3 Question 5
For a free vortex (see pg. 14 in Chapter 6 Lecture Notes), determine an expression for the
pressure gradient:

(a) Along a streamline

(b) Normal to a streamline

Assume that the streamline is on a horizontal plane, and express your answers in terms of the
circulation Γ.

3.3.1 Solution
For a free vortex, it is by definition irrotational, which also means that the Bernoulli Equation is
valid anywhere (even across streamlines). Given free vortex, we have the following:

Γ
ψ=− ln r
2π
Vr = 0
Γ
Vθ =
2πr
Given the streamline is on a horizontal plane, we can assume elevation changes such that the
Bernoulli Equation can be written as follows:
1
p + ρV 2 = c
2
where c is a constant. For the pressure at any point, we only have the velocity component Vθ
since Vr = 0, we have:
1
p = c − ρVθ2
2
Γ2
p=c−ρ 2 2
8π r
Now for the pressure gradient along a streamline:

∂p
=0
∂θ

and the pressure gradient normal to a streamline:

∂p ρΓ3
= 2 3
∂r 4π r

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