First Theory of wings and blades

Chapter 3

Potential flows

Dr. Ngo Ich Long

School of Mechanical Engineering
Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)
14-May-24 1
 Outlines

3.1 Velocity potential and stream function

3.2 Elementary incompressible flows

Add more information about potential flow from the

following movie for next course:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8_pfo1-MmI
14-May-24 2
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function

* Foundation

ζ: Zeta

The equation for the z component

of the vorticity

14-May-24 3
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function

* Foundation

14-May-24 4
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Velocity potential

for an irrotational flow, Thus, in cartesian coordinates,

Consider the following vector identity:

if 𝜙 is a scalar function, then

in cylindrical coordinates
that is, the curl of the gradient of a
scalar function is identically zero.
Comparing
Two Equations above, we see that
Because irrotational flows can be described
by the velocity potential 𝜙, such flows are
called potential flows.

14-May-24 5
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Velocity potential
How to derive velocity components in cylindrical coordinates?

 r  1 
2x ( x + y )
2 −1/ 2 x
u= = 2
=
r x r 2 r ( x 2 + y 2 )1/ 2

 r cos   
→u = = cos   u = Vr cos  or Vr =
r r r r
     1  1   x
u= ; v= v= = 2   =
x y  y   y     x + y
x 2 2

1+  
x
 r cos   cos  1 
→v= = = cos 
 r 2
 r r 
1 
 v = V cos  or V =
r 
14-May-24 6
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Velocity potential

+ If we define a scalar function ϕ

Satisfied
Continuity Eq.

ϕ is a harmonic potential function

ϕ is called as “velocity potential”

14-May-24 7
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function

14-May-24 8
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function

14-May-24 9
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function
The mass flow between streamlines ab and cd
per unit depth perpendicular to the page is

The mass flow through the streamtube per

unit depth perpendicular to the page is

14-May-24 10
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function
Due to conservation of mass, the mass flow
through Δn (per unit depth) is equal to the
sum of the mass flows through Δy and −Δx (per
unit depth):

Letting cd approach ab, Equation above

becomes in the limit

However, since 𝜓̄ =𝜓
̄ (x, y), the chain rule of
calculus states

14-May-24 11
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function
The stream function 𝜓̄ defined above applies
to both compressible and incompressible flow.
Now consider the case of incompressible flow
only, where 𝜌 = constant.

Define a new stream function, for

incompressible flow only, as 𝜓 ≡ 𝜓
̄ ∕𝜌
In summary, the concept of the stream function is a
powerful tool in aerodynamics for two primary
reasons:
1. 𝜓
̄ = constant (or 𝜓 = constant) gives the equation
of a streamline.
2. The flow velocity can be obtained by
differentiating ̄𝜓 (or 𝜓) for compressible flow or
incompressible flow.
14-May-24 12
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function
How to derive velocity components in cylindrical coordinates?

   1  1   x
u= = 2   =
 y   y   x   x + y
2 2

1+  
x
 r cos   cos  1 
→u = =  u = V cos  or V =
 r 2  r r 
r r
 
u= ; v=−  r  1 
2x ( x + y )2 −1/ 2 x
y x v=− =− 2
=−
r x r 2 r ( x 2 + y 2 )1/ 2

 r cos  
→v=− =− cos 
r r r

 v = V cos  or V = −
r
14-May-24 13
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Stream function

+ If we define a function ψ

ψ is also a harmonic
potential function

+ Lines of φ=const are perpendicular (or orthogonal) to

lines of ψ=const → The former are equipotential lines,
and the latter are streamlines.
+ These relationships are the Cauchy-Riemann equations,
+ They plays an important role to solve potential-flow
14-May-24 problems. 14
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Velocity potential and stream function

The velocity potential is analogous to the stream function. However, there are distinct
differences between 𝜙 and 𝜓:
1. The flow-field velocities are obtained by differentiating 𝜙 in the same direction as the
velocities, whereas 𝜓 is differentiated normal to the velocity direction.
2. The velocity potential is defined for irrotational flow only. In contrast, the stream
function can be used in either rotational or irrotational flows.
3. The velocity potential applies to three-dimensional flows, whereas the stream function
is defined for two-dimensional flows only.

14-May-24 15
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Application of
harmonic potential function

What is minimum surfaces:

https://vimeo.com/40958005
14-May-24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdneSMKObls 16
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Circulation
Circulation is a tool that is fundamental to the calculation of
aerodynamic lift, namely, circulation.

But

by Stokes’ theorem

→ the circulation about a curve C is equal to the vorticity

14-May-24 integrated over any open surface bounded by C 17
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Circulation
An Example: For the velocity field given as: u = y∕(x2 + y2) and v = -x∕(x2 + y2)
, calculate the circulation around a circular path of radius 5 m. Assume that u and v
given in units of meters per second.

Vθ

Vr

14-May-24 18
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Circulation
An Example: For the velocity field given as: u = y∕(x2 + y2) and v = -x∕(x2 + y2)
, calculate the circulation around a circular path of radius 5 m. Assume that u and v
given in units of meters per second.

14-May-24 19
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function

* Complex potential

According to the theory of complex-variable

function, if  and  are harmonic function
and satisfy Cauchy-Riemann condition, a
complex function (x,y)+ i(x,y) becomes a
function of complex variabl z defined as:

z = x + iy = r ( cos + i sin  ) = rei

Complex plane
Therefore, existing an analytic/conjugate
function F(z) = (x,y)+ i(x,y) that is called
complex potential
Euler formula
Proof

14-May-24 20
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Complex potential
F ( z ) = F ( x + iy ) =  ( x, y ) + i ( x, y ) =  + i

   F dF z dF z
 x + i = = = since =1
x x dz x dz x
   F dF z dF z
 +i = = =i since =i
 y y y dz y dz y

     
→ i + i = +i
 x x  y y
   
 = = u, =− =v
x y y x

14-May-24 21
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function

* Complex potential

F =  + i and z = x + iy

  dF z dF z
+i = = since =1
x x dz x dz x
u −v
The solution is behind here
dF
 = u − iv
dz

+ u = u+ i·v is called a conjugate velocity

+ u = u- i·v is called a complex velocity

14-May-24 22
 3.1. Velocity potential and stream function
* Complex potential
An example of complex potential:

Complex plane

14-May-24 23
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow

There are four basic two-dimensional flows: uniform parallel stream,

source (sink), doublet, and point vortex

+ Flow of Constant Velocity Parallel to the x-Axis

+ Flow of Constant Velocity in any direction

Uniform stream at an arbitrary

angle θ from the x-axis.
14-May-24 24
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow
An initial Problem: Consider a uniform flow with velocity V∞. Show that this flow is a
physically possible incompressible flow and that it is irrotational? →

→ It is a physically possible incompressible flow

The solution is behind here

→ It is irrotational

14-May-24 25
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow

In a practical aerodynamic problem, the actual

value of 𝜙 is not significant; rather, 𝜙 is always
used to obtain the velocity by differentiation;
that is, ∇𝜙 = V.

14-May-24 26
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow

The above equations can be expressed in

terms of polar coordinates, where x = r cos 𝜃
and y = r sin 𝜃, as shown in Figure 3.19

14-May-24 27
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow

A uniform flow is irrotational; that is, ∇ × V = 0

everywhere → Γ = 0

The circulation around any closed curve

in a uniform flow is zero.
14-May-24 28
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow
+ Complex potential:
dF
= u − iv
dz
u = V cos  and v = V sin 
dF
→ = V ( cos  − i sin  )
dz
dF
→ = V e−i
dz Uniform stream at an arbitrary
angle α from the x-axis.
By integrating, we have

F ( z ) = V ze −i + Complex velocity:

V = V e −i
14-May-24 29
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Flow from a source (sink)

+ Laplace equation in polar coordinates is

For cylindrically symmetric solutions this reduces to

Solution

Let us assume a source (sink) of strength m(−m) per unit length is located
at r = 0 → C1 = m/(2π) and C2 = 0

14-May-24 30
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Flow from a source (sink)

14-May-24 31
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Flow from a source (sink)
m
ur =
2 r
dF
= u − iv
dz
u = ur cos  and v = ur sin 
dF
→ = ur ( cos  − i sin  )
dz
dF
→ = ur e−i
dz
dF m m m Source (sink) point in
→ = i
=  V = → Complex velocity:
2 z 2 z
z
dz 2 re polar coordinate system.
By integrating
m
F ( z ) = ln z → Complex potential:
2
14-May-24 32
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Flow from a source (sink)
F (z) =
m
2
m
( )
ln z → F ( z ) = ln rei
2
m
( )
→ F ( z ) = ln ( r ) + ln ei 
2  
m
→ F ( z ) = ( ln r + i )
2
 m
 =
 2 ln r
m m
 + i = ln r + i  → 
2 2  = m 
 2
Equation of equipotential Equation of streamline
The potentials of a source: the
m
=
m
ln r = const  =  = const radial lines emanating from the

2 2 origin are the streamlines; the

concentric circles surrounding the
→ r = const →  = const origin are lines of constant
velocity potential.
y
x 2 + y 2 = C1 → tan −1 = const
x
14-May-24  y = C2 x 33
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow + source (sink)

The stagnation points in the

flow can be obtained by
Substituting results of stagnation point
into Equation of streamline to give

→ One stagnation point exists, located at

(r, 𝜃) = (Λ∕2𝜋V∞, 𝜋), which is labeled as
point B in Figure 3.22
→ This streamline is shown as
14-May-24 curve ABC in Figure 3.22. 34
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow + source (sink)

Or

The equation of the streamlines:

The stagnation streamline is given by 𝜓 = 0

→ All the flow from the source is

consumed by the sink and is contained
entirely inside the oval, whereas the flow
outside the oval has originated with the
uniform stream only.
14-May-24 35
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Doublet Flow

The stream function for a

doublet is …

From Figure 3.24, we have

14-May-24 36
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Doublet Flow
In similar fashion,

The streamlines of a doublet

flow are

Recall from analytic geometry 

d =−
in polar coordinates 2 c

is a circle with a diameter d on the vertical axis,

its center located d∕2 directly above the origin.
14-May-24 37
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Doublet Flow

In Cartesian coordinate, at (x, y)=(0, 0)

Using MATLAB
 The potentials of an −x directed
Noted that  
2 doublet: streamlines and velocity
potential lines are circles; flow along the
x-axis is in the −x direction.
14-May-24 38
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Doublet Flow
Let us take a source of strength m per unit length at
z=aeiα and a line sink of strength –m per unit length
at z=0, as shown in the side figure here.
m  z − aei 
m
2
( )
i m
F ( z ) = − ln z − ae + ln ( z − 0 ) → F ( z ) = − ln 
2 2  z 


m  aei 
→ F ( z ) = − ln 1 − 
2  z 
 x 2 x3 
Applying a series expansion, ln ( 1 - x ) = -  x + + + ...
 2 3 
m  aeia 1 a 2 e2ia 1 a 3e3ia 
→ F ( z ) =  + + + ...  If a = distance between source and sink → 0, m → 
2  z 2 z2 3 z3 
so that am →  (a constant)
1   eia   
→ F ( z ) =  +  0 +  0 + ... since a → 0
2  z 2 3 
 eia
 F (z) =
14-May-24 2 z 39
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Doublet Flow
+ Complex potential:
 ei
F (z) =
2 z

+ Complex velocity:
 ei
V (z) = −
2 z 2

Doublet flow in polar

coordinate system.
14-May-24 40
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform + Doublet = Non-lifting flow

→ The entire flow field is symmetrical about both the horizontal

14-May-24 and vertical axes through the center of the cylinder (Figure 3.26). 41
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow + Doublet flow
To locate the stagnation points, set
Equations above equal to zero:

→ There are two stagnation points,

located at (r, 𝜃) = (R, 0) and (R, 𝜋).
These points are denoted as A and B,
Flow over a circular cylinder = a uniform flow
respectively, in Figure 3.26.
with velocity V∞ + a doublet of strength 𝜅,
where R is related to V∞ and 𝜅 through

14-May-24 42
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform flow + Doublet flow
with r = R, resulting in

The pressure coefficient is given by

→ Cp varies from 1.0 at the stagnation

points to −3.0 at the points of maximum
velocity.

14-May-24 43
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Vortex flow
From the definition of vortex flow, we have

The stream function:

The velocity potential for vortex flow:

14-May-24 44
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Vortex flow: Complex potential
 
F ( z ) =  + i = −  + i ln r
2 2
 i z = reiθ
F( z) = ( − + i ln r ) = ( i + ln r )
2 2
i i
F( z) =
2
(
ln r + ln ei =) 2
ln rei
θ
i
 F( z) = ln z x
2
→ This is a complex potential at any point z
due to the vortex at origin (z=0) having
strength Γ per unit length.

→ If the vortex is placed at z=z0, then

i
 F( z) = ln ( z − z0 )
2

14-May-24 45
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Vortex flow
+ Complex potential:
i
F (z) = ln z
2

+ Complex velocity:
i
V (z) =
2 z

Source (sink) point in polar

coordinate system.
14-May-24 46
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Vortex flow

at (x, y)=(0, 0)

Using MATLAB

The potentials of a point vortex:

streamlines are concentric circles;
velocity potential lines are radial lines.
14-May-24 47
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform + Doublet +Vortex = Lifting flow

Since the value of the

constant is arbitrary, let

14-May-24 48
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform + Doublet +Vortex = Lifting flow
To locate the stagnation points in
the flow,

The velocity on the surface of the cylinder is

given (with r = R) by:

14-May-24 49
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform + Doublet +Vortex = Lifting flow
The drag coefficient cd is given as:

14-May-24 50
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform + Doublet +Vortex = Lifting flow
The lift on the cylinder

14-May-24 51
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows
* Uniform + Doublet +Vortex = Lifting flow
The lift per unit span L′ can be obtained a)

b) c)

Figure 3.34 These flow-field pictures were obtained in water, where

aluminum filings were scattered on the surface to show the
direction of the streamlines. (a) Non-spinning cylinder; (b) Spinning
cylinder: peripheral surface velocity= 3V∞. (c) Spinning cylinder:
peripheral surface velocity= 6V∞. (Prandtl, L., and O. G. Tietjens. Applied
Hydro and Aeromechanics Based on Lectures of L. Prandtl, United Engineering
Trustees Inc. New York: McGraw Hill, 1934).
14-May-24 52
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Solid Boundaries and Image systems

+ To represent the flow in the region of a
contour or body, it is only necessary to
replace the contour by a similarly shaped
streamline; in this case, the closed
streamline is oval shaped because it divides
the flow between a source, So, of strength
m followed by a sink, Si, of strength −m
along the x-axis in a uniform stream.
+ All of the source flow is consumed by the
sink; hence, a closed dividing streamline is
formed that can be used to model a body of
the same shape in a uniform inviscid flow.

Solid boundaries constructed

by image systems of singular
solutions.
14-May-24 53
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Solid Boundaries and Image systems

+ When arbitrary contours and their adjacent flows
have to be replaced by identical flows containing
similarly shaped streamlines, image systems must
be placed within the contour that reflect the
external flow system in the solid streamline.

Solid boundaries constructed

by image systems of singular
solutions.
14-May-24 54
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* A flow through a cylinder in Cartesian coordinate

14-May-24 55
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* A flow through a cylinder in Cartesian coordinate

Using V and as velocity and length scale

14-May-24 56
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* A flow through a cylinder in Cartesian coordinate

Pressure distribution around a circle; Pressure distribution around a

this is a plot of Cp versus x circle; CL = 0.
14-May-24 57
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* A flow through a cylinder in Cartesian coordinate

Γ=0

14-May-24 58
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* A flow through a cylinder in Cartesian coordinate

Or

14-May-24 59
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* A flow through a cylinder in Cartesian coordinate

Or

14-May-24 60
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Flow through a cylinder without circulation, Γ=0, in complex plane

+ Complex potential:

 ei
F ( z ) = V ze − i
+
2 z
+ Complex velocity:
 ei
V ( z ) = V e −i
−
2 z 2 Streamlines through a cylinder without
circulation
+ Cylinder radius a,
Stagnation point satisfies when α=0, then :
 
  x =  
V ( z ) = V − = 0 → z =  IF  2 V  a =
2 V
2 z 2 2 V 
y = 0

14-May-24 61
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Flow through a cylinder with circulation, Γ≠ 0, in complex plane

+ Complex potential:

 ei i
F ( z ) = V ze −i
+ − ln z
2 z 2
+ Complex velocity:
 ei i
V ( z ) = V e −i
− −
2 z 2 2 z Streamlines through a cylinder without
circulation
+ Cylinder radius a,
Stagnation point satisfies when α=0, then :
 V a 2 ei i
 F ( z ) = V ze +
− i
 − ln z
r=a=  z 2
2 V  2 i
V z = V e −i − V a e − i
 ( ) 
z2 2 z
14-May-24 62
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Flow through a cylinder with circulation, Γ≠ 0, in complex plane

+ Boundary condition for stagnation
point placed on the real axis:

 = −4 aV sin 

Streamlines through a cylinder without

circulation

14-May-24 63
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Joukowski Airfoil and the Circular Cylinder

The solution of the flow around a circular cylinder mentioned above can be used to
predict the flow around thin airfoils. We can transform the local geometry of the cylinder
into an airfoil without influencing the geometry of the far-field flow → Conformal
mapping.

A visualization: https://complex-
analysis.com/content/joukowsky_
airfoil.html
Streamlines and the definition of α.

14-May-24 64
 3.2. Elementary incompressible flows

* Joukowski Airfoil and the Circular Cylinder

+ Each point on the circle corresponds to a unique point on the airfoil.
+ Potential at each point on cylinder is the same as the corresponding point on airfoil.
+ The different is the distance between points → velocity and pressure distributions on
the airfoil must be determined from the mapped distribution of the potential.

For an airfoil with zero camber For cambered thin airfoils at small angles of
attack

where f is the maximum camber at midchord

of a camber line that is symmetric fore and
after of the midchord.

14-May-24 65
* Conformal mapping
Tài liệu giảng LTC_Ly Thuyet Canh-C03- 2

Yêu cầu Bài tập lớn

Trang bìa: Học phần: Lý thuyết cánh I

Họ và tên:
MSSV:

Đầu vào: C = 1
=
=
Đầu ra: R = a =
m=
=
14-May-24 = 66