MEC442
FLUID MECHANICS II
CHAPTER 02
POTENTIAL FLOW
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PREPARED BY:
PN. ROSNADIAH BAHSAN
FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
UiTM SHAH ALAM
POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
➢ Apply the concepts of stream function and velocity
potential
➢ Characterize simple potential flow fields
➢ Understand superposition as a method of solving
potential flow problems
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.0 INTRODUCTION
POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
• An ideal fluid is a purely hypothetical fluid which is assumed
to have no viscosity and no compressibility and in the case of
liquids, no surface tension and no vaporization .
• Basically there are two types of motion :
Translation
Rotation
• Translation means motion along a path.
• Rotation means motion around a fixed axis. An axis is the centre
around which something rotates.
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.0 INTRODUCTION
POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
An ideal fluid is defined by the following set of characteristics.
The flow of the fluid must be
• steady
The velocity at any point in the flow does not change in time.
• incompressible
The density does not change with pressure.
• non-viscous
There are no sources of internal friction that could remove energy
from the flow.
• irrotational
An element (small piece) of the flow traces out a straight path
aligned with the fluid velocity, not a helical pattern around it.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Ideal fluid flow is a simple, but useful approximation to
actual fluid motion.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Lets consider a solid body is represented by a square.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.1 INVISCID FLOW APPROXIMATIONS
Flow fields in which the shearing stresses are
assumed to be negligible, are said to be inviscid,
nonviscous or frictionless.
An inviscid flow is the flow of an ideal fluid that is
assumed to have no viscosity.
When viscous forces are neglected, the Navier-Stokes
equation can be simplified to a form known as the Euler
equation
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.1 INVISCID FLOW APPROXIMATIONS
Euler’s Equation of Motion:
Euler’s equation is simply the Navier-Stokes equation
with the viscous term neglected
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
Stream Function (ψ)
Stream Function exists only if a fluid is IRROTATIONAL FLOW or
ROTATIONAL FLOW
Applied for a fluid having a 2-D Flow.
Transform to rewrite two independent variables (u & v) to one dependent
variable (ψ)
What have we gained by this transformation?
1) A single variable (ψ) replaces two variables ( u & v) – once (ψ) is
known, can generate both u & v
2) Stream function has useful physical significance: Curves of
constant (ψ) are streamlines of the flow
Cartesian Coordinates:
Details note
in Class
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
Stream Function (ψ)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
Velocity Potential (Φ)
Velocity Potential Function exists only if a fluid is IRROTATIONAL
FLOW
Applied for a fluid having a 3-D Flow.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
Relationship between stream function and velocity potential
Laplace’s equation
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
Relationship between stream function and velocity
potential
Stream Function (y) Velocity Potential (f)
only 2D flow 3D flows
Irrotational (i.e. Inviscid or
viscous or non-viscous flows zero viscosity) flow
Exists
Incompressible flow (steady or Incompressible flow (steady
for
unsteady) or unsteady state)
compressible flow (steady compressible flow (steady or
state only) unsteady state)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
EXAMPLE 2.1
In a two-dimensional incompressible flow the fluid
velocity components are given by, u = x – 4y and
v = -y - 4x. Show that the flow satisfies the
continuity equation and obtain the expression for
the stream function. If the flow is potential,
obtain also the expression for the velocity
potential.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.2 THE STREAM FUNCTION & VELOCITY POTENTIAL
EXAMPLE 2.4
The two-dimensional flow of a nonviscous, incompressible fluid in
the vicinity of the 90o corner of Figure below is described by the
stream function
Ψ = 2r2 sin 2θ
Where ψ has unit of m2/s when r in meters. Assume the fluid
density is 103 kg/m3 and the x-y plane is horizontal- that is, there
is no difference in elevation between points (1) and (2).
a) Determine, if possible, the corresponding velocity potential.
b) If the pressure at point (1) on the wall is 30 kPa, what is the
pressure at point (2)?
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.3 VORTICITY (ζ) & IRROTATIONALITY (Γ)
Vorticity is a vector quantity and it tells us the tendency of a fluid particle
to rotate or circulate at a particular point. It is mathematically defined as
the curl of velocity.
Irrotational flow
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.3 VORTICITY (ζ) & IRROTATIONALITY (Γ)
Example 2.5
Consider the flow field given by Ψ = ax2 – ay2, where a =
3 s-1. Show that the flow is irrotational. Determine the
velocity potential for this flow.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.3 VORTICITY (ζ) & IRROTATIONALITY (Γ)
Circulation defined as the line integral of the velocity field along a closed
contour. It is a scalar quantity.
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Streamlines of the flow- curves of constant values of ψ
Equipotential lines – curves of constant values of φ
In planar irrotational regions of flow –streamlines intersect
equipotential lines at right angles, known as mutual orthogonality,
meaning that they intersect at 90o angles everywhere.
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
For any potential flow field a flow net can be drawn
that consists of a family of “streamlines ψ” and
“equipotential lines (Φ)”.
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Basic Plane Flows
o Uniform flow
o Source
o Sink
o Doublet
o Irrotational Vortex
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Uniform Flow (equations will explain in the class)
o The simplest plane flow
o The streamlines are all straight and parallel
o The magnitude of the velocity is constant
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Uniform Flow: (a) in the x-direction; (b) in an
inclined at angle
POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Uniform Flow (equations will explain in the class)
Uniform Flow: (a) in the x-direction; (b) in an 25
arbitrary direction,
POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Source and Sink of fluid
➢ Source – flow radially outward from a line through the origin perpendicular
to the x-y plane
➢ Sink – flow radially inward (toward the origin), the volume flow rate, Q is
negative
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Source and Sink of fluid
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Source and Sink of fluid
Source located at the origin in the xy-plane
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Source and Sink of fluid
Source located at some arbitrary point (a,b)
in the xy-plane
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Doublet
The combination of a source and sink of equal 30
strength located along the x-axis
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Irrotational Vortex
The streamline pattern for a vortex 33
POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Irrotational Vortex
Line vortex of strength Г located at the
origin in the xy -plane 34
POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
Irrotational Vortex
Line vortex of strength Г located at some
arbitrary point (a,b) in the xy -plane 35
POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
EXAMPLE 2.6
An uniform flow is parallel to the x-axis and have
velocity components of u = 25 m/s. At coordinate (x,y) =
(0.7, 0.5), determine the stream function, ψ and velocity
potential, Ф .
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
EXAMPLE 2.7
A source is at the origin of x-y plane, with radial
velocity component of Vr = q/2πr where the source
strength is 10 m2/s. Angular velocity component of the
source is Vθ = 0. Determine:
i) The stream function, ψ and velocity potential, Ф at
coordinate (x,y) = (0.7, 0.5)
ii) The magnitude and direction of the velocity at
coordinate (x,y) = (0.7, 0.5)
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POTENTIAL FLOW
2.5 PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
SUMMARY OF BASIC PLANE POTENTIAL FLOWS
DISCUSSION in Class
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Superposition
Superposition is the process of adding two or more
irrotational flow solutions together to generate a third
solution.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Superposition of Basic Flows
Because Potential flows are governed by linear partial
differential equations, the solutions can be combined in
superposition.
Flow does not cross streamlines. Thus, for inviscid flow,
streamlines solid boundaries.
Thus, some of the basic velocity potentials or stream
functions can be combined to yield a streamline that
represents a particular body shape.
The superposition representing a body can lead to
describing the flow around the body in detail.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Source and Uniform flow (Flow Past a Half Body/
Rankine Half Body)
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Source and Uniform flow (Flow Past a Half Body/
Rankine Half Body)
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Stagnation Point
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Wing Air Flow Demo
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How Wing Create Lift
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Source and Sink at equal strength
(Doublet)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Source, Sink and Uniform flow
(flow past a Rankine body)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Source, Sink and Uniform flow
(flow past a Rankine body)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Doublet and Uniform flow
(flow past a cylinder)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Doublet and Uniform flow
(flow past a cylinder)
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Example 2.7 (Doublet)
Consider an irrotational region of flow composed of a line
source of strength q at location (-a, 0) and a line sink of the
same strength (but opposite sign) at (a,0), as sketched in
figure below. Generate an expression for the stream
function in both Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Example 2.8 (Sink, Source & vortex )
An irrotational region of flow is formed by superposing a line source strength
q1=2 m2/s at (x,y) = (0, -1), a line source of strength q2=-1.00 m2/s at (x,y) =
(1, -1), and a line vortex of strength Г= 1.5 m2/s at (x,y) = (1,1), where all
spatial coordinates are in meters. [Source number 2 is actually a sink, since
q2 is negative]. The locations of the three building blocks are shown in Figure
below. Calculate the fluid velocity at the point (x,y) = (1,0).
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Example 2.9 (Half Body)
In the ideal flow around a half body, the free stream
velocity is 0.5 m/s and the strength of the source is 2 m2/s.
Determine the fluid velocity and its direction at a point,
r=1.0 m, θ=120o.
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Example 2.10 (Half Body)
A 64 km/h wind blows toward a hill arising from a plain that
can be approximated with the top section of a half-body as
illustrated in Figure (given in the class). The height of the
hill approaches 60 m as shown. Assume an air density of 1.22
kg/m3. Find:
a) What is the magnitude of the air velocity at a point on
the hill directly above the original [point 2]?
b) What is the elevation of point (2) above the plain and
what is the difference in pressure between point (1) on
the plain far from the hill and point (2)?
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POTENTIAL FLOW (IDEAL FLOW)
2.6. SUPERPOSITION OF PLANE FLOW SOLUTIONS
Example 2.11 (Rankine body)
A source of strength 10 m2/s at (1,0) and a sink of the same
strength at (-1,0) are combined with a uniform flow of 25
m/s in the x-direction. Determine the length of Rankine body
formed by the flow and the difference in pressure between
a point for upstream in the uniform flow and the point (1,1).
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