Differential Analysis of Fluid Flow

Part III
Viscous Flow

Equations of Motion
The resultant force acting on a fluid element must equal the mass times the
acceleration of the element
Equations of motion

u
xx yx zx
u
u
u
gx

u
v w
x
y
z
x
y
z
t

gy
gz

xy
x

yy
y

zy
z

v
v
v
v
u v w
x
y
z
t

w
xz yz zz
w
w
w

u
v
w
x
y
z
x
y
z
t

These are the general differential equations of motion for a fluid. They apply for any
continuum (solid of fluid) in motion or at rest
There are more unknowns than equations. Some additional information of stresses must be
obtained

Viscous Flow
Stress-Deformation relationships
For incompressible Newtonian fluids, stresses are linearly related to the rate
of deformation
u
xx p 2
x
v
yy p 2
y
w
zz p 2
z
p

u v

y
x

xy yx

v w

z y

yz zy

w u
zx xz

x
z

1
xx yy zz
3

cylindrical polar coordinates

Viscous Flow
Navier-Stokes Equations

2u 2u 2u
u
u
u
u
p

u
v w gx
2 2
2
x
y
z
x
y
z
t
x
2 v 2 v 2 v
v
v
v
v
p

u v w gy
2 2
2

x
y
z

2 w 2 w 2 w
w
w
w
w
p

u
v
w gz
2 2
2
x
y
z
z
y
z
t
x

The Navier-Stokes equations are the basic differential equations describing the
flow of incompressible Newtonian fluids
notes

cylindrical polar coordinates

Steady Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

Re 1400

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates
2u 2u 2u
u
u
u
u
p

u
v w gx
2 2
2
x
y
z
x
y
z
t
x
2 v 2 v 2 v
v
v
v
v
p

u v w gy
2 2
2

x
y
z

2 w 2 w 2 w
w
w
w
w
p

u
v
w gz
2 2
2
x
y
z
z
y
z
t
x
Reduced equations

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates
2u 2u 2u
u
u
u
u
p

u
v w gx
2 2
2
x
y
z
x
y
z
t
x
2 v 2 v 2 v
v
v
v
v
p

u v w gy
2 2
2

x
y
z

2 w 2 w 2 w
w
w
w
w
p

u
v
w gz
2 2
2
x
y
z
z
y
z
t
x
Reduced equations

notes

2u
p
0
2
x
y
p
0 g
y
p
0
z

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure variation

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

notes

p gy f1 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

Velocity

notes

p gy f1 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

p gy f1 x

Velocity profile is parabolic

notes

1 p
2
2
y h
2 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

p gy f1 x

Velocity profile is parabolic

Volume flow rate

notes

1 p
2
2
y h
2 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

p gy f1 x

Velocity profile is parabolic

Volume flow rate

2h3 p
q

3 x

(per unit width in z direction)

notes

1 p
2
2
y h
2 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

p gy f1 x

Velocity profile is parabolic

Volume flow rate

2h3 p
q

3 x

(per unit width in z direction)

With p pressure drop,
notes

p
p

l
x

1 p
2
2
y h
2 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Pressure varies hydrostatically in y direction

p gy f1 x

Velocity profile is parabolic

Volume flow rate

2h3 p
q

3 x

(per unit width in z direction)

With p pressure drop,
volume flow rate

1 p
2
2
y h
2 x

p
p

l
x
2 h 3 p
q
3 l

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Mean velocity

notes

2h

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Mean velocity

notes

q h 2 p
V

2 h 3 l

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Mean velocity

Maximum velocity (y = 0)

notes

q h 2 p
V

2 h 3 l

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Mean velocity

Maximum velocity (y = 0)

notes

q h 2 p
V

2 h 3 l

umax

h 2 p
3

V

2 x
2

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

q h 2 p
V

2 h 3 l

Mean velocity

umax

Maximum velocity (y = 0)

Pressure variation with

notes

h 2 p
3

V

2 x
2

p
x p0

f1 x

Steady Laminar
Flow Between
Fixed Parallel
Plates

Mean velocity

Maximum velocity (y = 0)

Pressure variation

notes

q h 2 p
V

2 h 3 l

umax

h 2 p
3

V

2 x
2

p
x p0

p gy

Couette Flow

notes

Couette Flow
y 1 p
2
u U
y
by

b 2 x
notes
back to example

or in dimensionless form
b 2 p
P

2 U x

u y
b 2 p y
y

1

U b 2U x b
b

Couette Flow
Simplest type of Couette flow is that with zero pressure gradient

u U

y
b

Flow in the Narrow Gap of a Journal Bearing

If

r0 ri = ri

then

U ri ,

and

ri
r0 ri

b r0 ri

Given A wide moving belt passes through a container of a

viscous liquid. The belt moves vertically upward with a
constant velocity, V0 , as illustrated in figure. Because of
viscous forces the belt picks up a film of fluid of thickness
h. Gravity tends to make the fluid drain down the belt.
Assume that the flow is laminar, steady, and fully
developed.
Find Use the NavierStokes equations to determine an
expression for the average velocity of the fluid film as it is
dragged up the belt.

notes

Given A wide moving belt passes through a container of a

viscous liquid. The belt moves vertically upward with a
constant velocity, V0 , as illustrated in figure. Because of
viscous forces the belt picks up a film of fluid of thickness
h. Gravity tends to make the fluid drain down the belt.
Assume that the flow is laminar, steady, and fully
developed.
Find Use the NavierStokes equations to determine an
expression for the average velocity of the fluid film as it is
dragged up the belt.
2u 2u 2u
u
u
u
u
p

u
v w gx
2 2
2

x
y
z

2v 2v 2v
v
v
v
v
p

u v w gy
2 2
2
x
y
z
y
z
t
x y
2 w 2 w 2 w
w
w
w
w
p

u
v
w gz
2 2
2

x
y
z

notes

 2 h
v
x
x V0
2

h3
q vdx V0 h
0
3
h

h2
V V0
3

notes

 2 h
v
x
x V0
2

v
x
x
c 2c 1
V0
h
h

h3
q vdx V0 h
0
3
h

h2
where c
2 V0

Net upward flow is possible only if

h2
V0
3

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100
vr
1 vr
vr v vr v2
vr
p
vr 1 2vr 2 v 2vr

vr

vz g r
2
2
r 2 2
2

r
r

r
r

r
r
r

1
v v v vr v
v
v
v 1 2v 2 vr 2 v
1 p
v

vr

vz
g
2
2
r 2 2
2

r
r

z
r

r
r
r

1 vz
vz v vz
vz
p
1 2 vz 2vz
vz

vr

vz g z
2
r 2
2
r r
z
z
r

r
r

z
t

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)
vr
1 vr
vr v vr v2
vr
p
vr 1 2vr 2 v 2vr

vr

vz g r
2
2
r 2 2
2

r
r

r
r

r
r
r

1
v v v vr v
v
1 p
v
v 1 2v 2 vr 2 v
v

vr

vz
g
2
2
r 2 2
2

r
r

z
r

r
r
r

1 vz
vz v vz
vz
p
1 2 vz 2vz
vz

vr

vz g z
2
r 2
2
r r
z
z
r
z
t
r r r

Reduced equations

p
r
1 p
0 g cos
r
1 vz
p
0
r
z
r r r
0 g sin

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100
Pressure variation

p
r
1 p
0 g cos
r
0 g sin

p g r sin f1 z

or

p gy f1 z

Pressure is hydrostatically distributed at any particular cross section

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100
Pressure is hydrostatically distributed at any particular cross section

p g r sin f1 z

or

p gy f1 z

Velocity distribution

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100
Pressure is hydrostatically distributed at any particular cross section

p g r sin f1 z

Velocity distribution is parabolic

or

p gy f1 z
vz

1 p
2
2
r R
4 z

Volume flow rate

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100
Pressure is hydrostatically distributed at any particular cross section

p g r sin f1 z

or

Velocity distribution is parabolic

Volume flow rate

R 4 p
Q

8 z

p gy f1 z
vz

or

1 p
2
2
r R
4 z

R 4 p
Q
8 l

notes

Steady Laminar
Flow in Circular
Tubes
(Poiseuille Flow)

Re 2100
Mean velocity

Maximum velocity

Useful relations

Q
R 2 p
V

2
R
8 l

vmax

R 2 p
R 2 p

2V

4 z
4l

vmax 2V

and

vz
r
1
vmax
R

Back to example

Steady, Axial, Laminar Flow in an Annulus

Governing equations

p
r
1 p
0 g cos
r
1 vz
p
0
r
z
r

r
r

0 g sin

notes

Steady, Axial,
Laminar Flow in
an Annulus

Velocity distribution

1 p 2 2 ri 2 r02
r
vz
ln
r r0
4 z
ln r0 ri r0

notes

Steady, Axial,
Laminar Flow in
an Annulus

Velocity distribution

Volume flow rate

1 p 2 2 ri 2 r02
r
vz
ln
r r0
4 z
ln r0 ri r0
2
2
2

r
r0
p 4 4 0 i
Q vz 2 r dr
r0 ri
ri
8 z
ln r0 ri

notes

Steady, Axial,
Laminar Flow in
an Annulus
1 p 2 2 ri 2 r02
r
Velocity distribution
vz
ln
r r0
4 z
ln r0 ri r0
2
2
2

r
r0
p 4 4 0 i
Q vz 2 r dr
Volume flow rate
r0 ri
ri
8 z
ln r0 ri

2
2
2

p 4 4 r0 ri
r0 ri
in terms of the pressure drop Q

8 l
ln r0 ri

notes

Steady, Axial,
Laminar Flow in
an Annulus
1 p 2 2 ri 2 r02
r
Velocity distribution
vz
ln
r r0
4 z
ln r0 ri r0
2
2
2

r
r0
p 4 4 0 i
Q vz 2 r dr
Volume flow rate
r0 ri
ri
8 z
ln r0 ri

2
2
2

p 4 4 r0 ri
r0 ri
in terms of the pressure drop Q

8 l
ln r0 ri

12
r02 ri 2
rm

Maximum velocity
2 ln r0 ri

notes

Steady, Axial,
Laminar Flow in
an Annulus
1 p 2 2 ri 2 r02
r
Velocity distribution
vz
ln
r r0
4 z
ln r0 ri r0
2
2
2

r
r0
p 4 4 0 i
Q vz 2 r dr
Volume flow rate
r0 ri
ri
8 z
ln r0 ri

2
2
2

p 4 4 r0 ri
r0 ri
in terms of the pressure drop Q

8 l
ln r0 ri

12
r02 ri 2
vz
0

Maximum velocity occurs at rm

where
r
2 ln r0 ri

Hydraulic diameter
notes

2
2
4 cross-sectional area 4 r0 ri
Dh

2 r0 ri
wetted perimeter
2 r0 ri

Example A liquid (viscosity = 0.002 Nm2/s; density = 1000 kg/m3) is forced through the circular tube
shown in figure. A differential manometer is connected to the tube as shown to measure the pressure
drop along the tube. When the differential reading, h, is 9 mm, what is the mean velocity in the tube?
Answer: V = 0.011 m/s; Re = 22

Example A simple flow system to be used for steady flow tests consists of a constant head tank
connected to a length of 4 mm diameter tubing as shown in figure. The liquid has a viscosity of 0.015
Ns/m2, a density of 1200 kg/m3, and discharges into the atmosphere with a mean velocity of 2 m/s.
Verify that the flow will be laminar.
The flow is fully developed in the last 3 m of the tube. What is the pressure at the pressure gage?
What is the magnitude of the wall shearing stress, rz, in the fully developed region?
Answer:

a) Re = 640
b) 180 kPa
c) 60 N/m2

stress
velocity

Example A viscous fluid (specific weight = 80 lb/ft3; viscosity = 0.03 lbs/ft3) is contained between
two infinite, horizontal parallel plates as shown in figure. The fluid moves between the plates under the
action of a pressure gradient, and the upper plate moves with a velocity U while the bottom plate is
fixed. A U-tube manometer connected between two points along the bottom indicates a differential
reading of 0.1 in. If the upper plate moves with a velocity of 0.02 ft/s, at what distance from the bottom
plate does the maximum velocity in the gap between the two plates occur? Assume laminar flow.
Answer:

velocity

Example A viscous fluid (specific weight = 80 lb/ft3; viscosity = 0.03 lbs/ft3) is contained between two
infinite, horizontal parallel plates as shown in figure. The fluid moves between the plates under the
action of a pressure gradient, and the upper plate moves with a velocity U while the bottom plate is
fixed. A U-tube manometer connected between two points along the bottom indicates a differential
reading of 0.1 in. If the upper plate moves with a velocity of 0.02 ft/s, at what distance from the bottom
plate does the maximum velocity in the gap between the two plates occur? Assume laminar flow.

Answer:

ymax

U
b
0.759 in
2
p
b
x
velocity

Example A viscous fluid (specific weight = 80 lb/ft3; viscosity = 0.03 lbs/ft3) is contained between two
infinite, horizontal parallel plates as shown in figure. The fluid moves between the plates under the
action of a pressure gradient, and the upper plate moves with a velocity U while the bottom plate is
fixed. A U-tube manometer connected between two points along the bottom indicates a differential
reading of 0.1 in. If the upper plate moves with a velocity of 0.02 ft/s, at what distance from the bottom
plate does the maximum velocity in the gap between the two plates occur? Assume laminar flow.
Answer:

0.759 in

velocity

A viscous, incompressible fluid flows between the two infinite, vertical, parallel plates. Determine, by
use of the NavierStokes equations, an expression for the pressure gradient in the direction of flow.
Express your answer in terms of the mean velocity. Assume that the flow is laminar, steady, and uniform.

notes

A viscous, incompressible fluid flows between the two infinite, vertical, parallel plates. Determine, by
use of the NavierStokes equations, an expression for the pressure gradient in the direction of flow.
Express your answer in terms of the mean velocity. Assume that the flow is laminar, steady, and
uniform.

notes

2u 2u 2u
u
u
u
u
p

u
v w gx
2 2
2

x
y
z

2v 2v 2v
v
v
v
v
p

u v w gy
2 2
2

x
y
z

2 w 2 w 2 w
w
w
w
w
p

u
v
w gz
2 2
2

x
y
z

A viscous, incompressible fluid flows between the two infinite, vertical, parallel plates. Determine, by
use of the NavierStokes equations, an expression for the pressure gradient in the direction of flow.
Express your answer in terms of the mean velocity. Assume that the flow is laminar, steady, and uniform.
Answer

2 Ph 3
q
3
p
3V
3 g
y
h

notes

9072 kg on 55 kPa. Place a golf ball on the end of a garden hose and then slowly turn the
water on a small amount until the ball just barely lifts off the end of the hose, leaving a
small gap between the ball and the hose. The ball is free to rotate. This is the idea behind
the new floating ball water fountains developed in Finland. Massive, 9072 kg, 1.8 m
diameter stone spheres are supported by the pressure force of the water on the curved
surface within a pedestal and rotate so easily that even a small child can change their
direction of rotation. The key to the fountain design is the ability to grind and polish stone
to an accuracy of a few thousandths of an inch. This allows the gap between the ball and its
pedestal to be very small (on the order of 13/1000 cm) and the water flowrate
correspondingly small (on the order of 19 l/min). Due to the small gap, the flow in the gap
is essentially that of flow between parallel plates. Although the sphere is very heavy, the
pressure under the sphere within the pedestal needs to be only about 55 kPa.

A massive, precisely machined, 1.8 m diameter granite sphere rests on a 1.2 m diameter
cylindrical pedestal as shown in figure. When the pump is turned on and the water pressure
within the pedestal reaches 55 kPa, the sphere rises off the pedestal, creating a 0.013 cm gap
through which the water flows. The sphere can then be rotated about any axis with minimal
friction. (a) Estimate the pump flowrate, Q0 , required to accomplish this. Assume the flow in
the gap between the sphere and the pedestal is essentially viscous flow between fixed, parallel
plates. (b) Describe what would happen if the pump flowrate were increased to 2Q0 .

notes

A massive, precisely machined, 1.8 m diameter granite sphere rests on a 1.2 m diameter
cylindrical pedestal as shown in figure. When the pump is turned on and the water pressure
within the pedestal reaches 55 kPa, the sphere rises off the pedestal, creating a 0.013 cm gap
through which the water flows. The sphere can then be rotated about any axis with minimal
friction. (a) Estimate the pump flowrate, Q0 , required to accomplish this. Assume the flow in
the gap between the sphere and the pedestal is essentially viscous flow between fixed, parallel
plates. (b) Describe what would happen if the pump flowrate were increased to 2Q0 .
Answer:
Q0 = 18.86 l/min

notes

A massive, precisely machined, 1.8 m diameter granite sphere rests on a 1.2 m diameter
cylindrical pedestal as shown in figure. When the pump is turned on and the water pressure
within the pedestal reaches 55 kPa, the sphere rises off the pedestal, creating a 0.013 cm gap
through which the water flows. The sphere can then be rotated about any axis with minimal
friction. (a) Estimate the pump flowrate, Q0 , required to accomplish this. Assume the flow in
the gap between the sphere and the pedestal is essentially viscous flow between fixed, parallel
plates. (b) Describe what would happen if the pump flowrate were increased to 2Q0 .
Answer:
Q0 = 18.86 l/min
Gap increase to 0.016 cm

notes

End of viscous flow lectures

v
rr p 2 r
r
1 v vr
p 2

r r
v
zz p 2 z
z

v
1 vr
r r r
r
r r
v 1 vz
z z

z r
v v
zr rz r z
z r

back
Back to example

Navier-Stokes Equations
Cylindrical Polar Coordinates
vr
1 vr
vr v vr v2
vr
p
vr 1 2vr 2 v 2vr

vr

vz g r
2
2
r 2 2
2

r
r

r
r

r
r
r

1
v v v vr v
v
1 p
v
v 1 2v 2 vr 2 v
v

vr

vz
g
2
2
r 2 2
2

r
r

z
r

r
r
r

1 vz
vz v vz
vz
p
1 2 vz 2vz
vz

vr

vz g z
2
r 2
2
r r
z
z
r
z
t
r r r

back

Conceptual Question 6.2C

Two tanks filled with water are connected by two straight circular pipes that have diameters D1 and D2,
as shown in the figure.
The water level in the left tank is twice that of the right tank. If the flow trough the connection pipes is
laminar and can be approximated by the fully developed Poiseuille solution, then the flow through pipe
2 will have the same velocity as the flow through pipe 1 when:
a)the diameter of pipe 2 is less than the diameter of pipe1,
b)the diameter of pipe 2 is greater than the diameter of pipe 1,
c)the diameter of pipe 2 is equal to the diameter of pipe 1.
Hint:

notes