Approximate Solutions of the

Navier-Stokes Equation
 Objectives
1. Appreciate why approximations are
necessary, and know when and where to
use.
2. Understand effects of lack of inertial terms
in the creeping flow approximation.
3. Understand superposition as a method for
solving potential flow.
4. Predict boundary layer thickness and other
boundary layer properties.
 Introduction
• We derived the NSE and developed several exact solutions.
• In this Chapter, we will study several methods for simplifying the
NSE, which permit use of mathematical analysis and solution
– These approximations often hold for certain regions of the flow field.
 Nondimensionalization of the NSE
• Purpose: Order-of-magnitude analysis of the terms in the
NSE, which is necessary for simplification and approximate
solutions.
• We begin with the incompressible NSE

• Each term is dimensional, and each variable or property ( V,

t, , etc.) is also dimensional.
• What are the primary dimensions of each term in the NSE
equation?
 Nondimensionalization of the NSE
• To nondimensionalize, we choose scaling
parameters as follows
 Nondimensionalization of the NSE
• Next, we define nondimensional variables, using the scaling
parameters in Table 10-1

• To plug the nondimensional variables into the NSE, we need

to first rearrange the equations in terms of the dimensional
variables
 Nondimensionalization of the NSE
• Now we substitute into the NSE to obtain

• Every additive term has primary dimensions {m1L-2t-

2}. To nondimensionalize, we multiply every term by

L/(V2), which has primary dimensions {m-1L2t2}, so

that the dimensions cancel. After rearrangement,
 Nondimensionalization of the NSE
• Terms in [ ] are nondimensional parameters

Strouhal number Euler number Inverse of Froude Inverse of Reynolds

number squared number

Navier-Stokes equation in nondimensional form

 Nondimensionalization of the NSE
• Nondimensionalization vs. Normalization
– NSE are now nondimensional, but not necessarily normalized. What is
the difference?
– Nondimensionalization concerns only the dimensions of the equation
- we can use any value of scaling parameters L, V, etc.
– Normalization is more restrictive than nondimensionalization. To
normalize the equation, we must choose scaling parameters L,V, etc.
that are appropriate for the flow being analyzed, such that all
nondimensional variables are of order of magnitude unity, i.e., their
minimum and maximum values are close to 1.0.

If we have properly normalized the NSE, we can compare the relative

importance of the terms in the equation by comparing the relative magnitudes of
the nondimensional parameters St, Eu, Fr, and Re.
 Inviscid Regions of Flow
• Definition: Regions where net viscous forces are
negligible compared to pressure and/or inertia forces
~0 if Re large

Euler Equation
 Inviscid Regions of Flow
• Euler equation often used in aerodynamics
• Elimination of viscous term changes PDE from mixed elliptic-
hyperbolic to hyperbolic. This affects the type of analytical
and computational tools used to solve the equations.
• Must “relax” wall boundary condition from no-slip to slip

No-slip BC Slip BC
u=v=w=0 w = 0, Vn = 0
Vn = normal velocity
Irrotational Flow Approximation
• Irrotational approximation:
vorticity is negligibly small

• In general, inviscid regions

are also irrotational, but
there are situations where
inviscid flow are rotational,
e.g., solid body rotation (Ex.
10-3)
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• What are the implications of irrotational
approximation. Look at continuity and
momentum equations.
• Continuity equation
– Use the vector identity
– Since the flow is irrotational

is a scalar potential function

 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• Therefore, regions of irrotational flow are also called
regions of potential flow.
• From the definition of the gradient operator 

Cartesian

Cylindrical

• Substituting into the continuity equation gives

 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• This means we only need to solve 1 linear scalar
equation to determine all 3 components of velocity!

Laplace Equation

• Luckily, the Laplace equation appears in numerous

fields of science, engineering, and mathematics. This
means there are well developed tools for solving this
equation.
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• Momentum equation
– If we can compute  from the Laplace equation
(which came from continuity) and velocity from
the definition , why do we need the NSE?
 To compute Pressure.
– To begin analysis, apply irrotational approximation
to viscous term of the NSE

=0
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• Therefore, the NSE reduces to the Euler
equation for irrotational flow
nondimensional

dimensional

• Instead of integrating to find P, use vector

identity to derive Bernoulli equation
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• This allows the steady Euler equation to be written as

• This form of Bernoulli equation is valid for inviscid and

irrotational flow since we’ve shown that NSE reduces to the
Euler equation.
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• However,
Inviscid

Irrotational ( = 0)
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
• Therefore, the process for irrotational flow
1. Calculate  from Laplace equation (from continuity)
2. Calculate velocity from definition
3. Calculate pressure from Bernoulli equation (derived
from momentum equation)

Valid for 3D or 2D
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
2D Flows
• For 2D flows, we can also use the streamfunction
• Recall the definition of streamfunction for planar (x-y) flows

• Since vorticity is zero,

• This proves that the Laplace equation holds for the

streamfunction and the velocity potential
Irrotational Flow Approximation
2D Flows
• Constant values of : streamlines
• Constant values of :
equipotential lines
•  and  are mutually orthogonal
•  and  are harmonic functions
•  is defined by continuity;
2 results from irrotationality
•  is defined by irrotationality;
2 results from continuity

Flow solution can be achieved by solving either 2 or 2,

however, BC are easier to formulate for 
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
2D Flows
• Similar derivation can be performed for cylindrical coordinates
(except for 2 for axisymmetric flow)
– Planar, cylindrical coordinates : flow is in (r,) plane
– Axisymmetric, cylindrical coordinates : flow is in (r,z) plane

Planar Axisymmetric
Irrotational Flow Approximation
2D Flows
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
2D Flows

• Method of Superposition
1. Since 2 is linear, a linear combination of two
or more solutions is also a solution, e.g., if 1 and
2 are solutions, then (A1), (A+1), (1+2),
(A1+B2) are also solutions
2. Also true for y in 2D flows (2 =0)
3. Velocity components are also additive
 Irrotational Flow Approximation
2D Flows

• Given the principal of superposition, there are

several elementary planar irrotational flows
which can be combined to create more
complex flows.
– Uniform stream
– Line source/sink
– Line vortex
– Doublet
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Uniform Stream

• In Cartesian coordinates

• Conversion to cylindrical
coordinates can be achieved
using the transformation
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Line Source/Sink

• Potential and
streamfunction are derived
by observing that volume
flow rate across any circle is
• This gives velocity
components
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Line Source/Sink

• Using definition of (Ur, U)

• These can be integrated to

give  and 

Equations are for a source/sink

at the origin
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Line Source/Sink

• If source/sink is moved
to (x,y) = (a,b)
 Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Line Vortex

• Vortex at the origin. First

look at velocity components

• These can be integrated to

give  and 

Equations are for a source/sink

at the origin
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Line Vortex

• If vortex is moved to
(x,y) = (a,b)
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Doublet

• A doublet is a
combination of a line
sink and source of equal
magnitude
• Source

• Sink
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
Doublet

• Adding 1 and 2
together, performing
some algebra, and
taking a0 gives

K is the doublet strength

Examples of Irrotational Flows Formed
by Superposition
• Superposition of sink and
vortex : bathtub vortex

Sink Vortex
Examples of Irrotational Flows Formed
by Superposition
• Flow over a circular
cylinder: Free stream +
doublet

• Assume body is  = 0 (r
= a)  K = Va2
Examples of Irrotational Flows Formed
by Superposition
• Velocity field can be found by
differentiating streamfunction

• On the cylinder surface (r=a)

Normal velocity (Ur) is zero, Tangential

velocity (U) is non-zero slip condition.
Examples of Irrotational Flows Formed
by Superposition
• Compute pressure using
Bernoulli equation and
velocity on cylinder
Turbulent
surface
separation

Laminar
separation

Irrotational
flow
Examples of Irrotational Flows Formed
by Superposition
• Integration of surface pressure (which is symmetric
in x), reveals that the DRAG is ZERO. This is known as
D’Alembert’s Paradox
– For the irrotational flow approximation, the drag force on
any non-lifting body of any shape immersed in a uniform
stream is ZERO
– Why?
• Viscous effects have been neglected. Viscosity and the no-slip
condition are responsible for
– Flow separation (which contributes to pressure drag)
– Wall-shear stress (which contributes to friction drag)
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
• BL approximation
bridges the gap
between the Euler and
NS equations, and
between the slip and
no-slip BC at the wall.
• Prandtl (1904)
introduced the BL
approximation
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
Not to scale

To scale
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
• BL Equations: we
restrict attention to
steady, 2D, laminar flow
(although method is
fully applicable to
unsteady, 3D, turbulent
flow)
• BL coordinate system
– x : tangential direction
– y : normal direction
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
To derive the equations, start with the steady nondimensional
NS equations

• Recall definitions

• Since , Eu ~ 1
• Re >> 1, Should we neglect viscous terms? No!, because we
would end up with the Euler equation along with deficiencies
already discussed.
• Can we neglect some of the viscous terms?
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
• To answer question, we need to redo the
nondimensionalization
– Use L as length scale in streamwise direction and
for derivatives of velocity and pressure with
respect to x.
– Use  (boundary layer thickness) for distances and
derivatives in y.
– Use local outer (or edge) velocity Ue.
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
• Orders of Magnitude (OM)

• What about V? Use continuity

• Since
Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
• Now, define new nondimensional variables

• All are order unity, therefore normalized

• Apply to x- and y-components of NSE
• Go through details of derivation on
blackboard.
 Boundary Layer (BL) Approximation
• Incompressible Laminar Boundary Layer
Equations
Continuity

X-Momentum

Y-Momentum
 Boundary Layer Procedure
1. Solve for outer flow, ignoring the BL.
Use potential flow (irrotational
approximation) or Euler equation
2. Assume /L << 1 (thin BL)
3. Solve BLE
y = 0  no-slip, u=0, v=0
y =   U = Ue(x)
x = x0  u = u(x0), v=v(x0)
4. Calculate , , *, w, Drag
5. Verify /L << 1
6. If /L is not << 1, use * as body and
goto step 1 and repeat
 Boundary Layer Procedure
• Possible Limitations
1. Re is not large enough  BL may
be too thick for thin BL
assumption.
2. p/y  0 due to wall curvature 
~R
3. Re too large  turbulent flow at
Re = 1x105. BL approximation
still valid, but new terms
required.
4. Flow separation
 Boundary Layer Procedure
• Before defining and * and are there analytical
solutions to the BL equations?
– Unfortunately, NO
• Blasius Similarity Solution boundary layer on a flat
plate, constant edge velocity, zero external pressure
gradient
Blasius Similarity Solution
• Blasius introduced similarity variables

• This reduces the BLE to

• This ODE can be solved using Runge-

Kutta technique
• Result is a BL profile which holds at
every station along the flat plate
Blasius Similarity Solution
 Blasius Similarity Solution
• Boundary layer thickness can be computed by
assuming that  corresponds to point where U/Ue =
0.990. At this point,  = 4.91, therefore Recall

• Wall shear stress w and friction coefficient Cf,x can

be directly related to Blasius solution
 Displacement Thickness
• Displacement thickness * is the imaginary
increase in thickness of the wall (or body), as
seen by the outer flow, and is due to the
effect of a growing BL.
• Expression for * is based upon control
volume analysis of conservation of mass

• Blasius profile for laminar BL can be

integrated to give

(1/3 of )
 Momentum Thickness
• Momentum thickness  is another
measure of boundary layer
thickness.
• Defined as the loss of momentum
flux per unit width divided by U2
due to the presence of the growing
BL.
• Derived using CV analysis.

 for Blasius solution,

identical to Cf,x
 Turbulent Boundary Layer

Black lines: instantaneous

Pink line: time-averaged

Illustration of unsteadiness of a
turbulent BL Comparison of laminar and
turbulent BL profiles
 Turbulent Boundary Layer
• All BL variables [U(y), , *, ] are determined
empirically.
• One common empirical approximation for the
time-averaged velocity profile is the one-
seventh-power law
Turbulent Boundary Layer