Tutorial: Parts SL3 and SL4 - Solutions

1. Derive some important exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes Equations. In

particular:
(i) Determine the general equation for steady one-dimensional flow between
two parallel planes / plates.

Solution

Suppose the flow takes place in the x-direction only, i.e. suppose v = 0

The continuity equation becomes

𝜕𝑢
= 0 ∴ 𝑢 = 𝑢(𝑦) ....(4.1)
𝜕𝑥

so that u can only depend on y. The flow is therefore fully developed.

The momentum equation in the y-direction is

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 1 𝜕𝑝
𝑢 +𝑣 =− + 𝜈∇2 𝑣
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜌 𝜕𝑦

and since v=0 everywhere this reduces to

𝜕𝑝
= 0 ∴ 𝑝 = 𝑝(𝑥) ....(4.2)
𝜕𝑦

So that p can only depend on x.

The momentum equation in the x-direction is then

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1 𝜕𝑝
𝑢 +𝑣 =− + 𝜈∇2 𝑢
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜌 𝜕𝑥

which, due to equations (4.1) and (4.2), reduces to

𝜕𝑝 𝑑2𝑢
= 𝜇 2=𝐶
𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑦
The left hand side of this equation depends only on x, whilst the right hand side
depends only on y. The only way that equality is possible is if both sides are constant

∴ 𝑝 = 𝐶𝑥 + 𝑝𝑜 ....(4.3)

where 𝑝𝑜 is the pressure at x=0

𝑑2 𝑢 1 𝑑𝑝
and = 𝜇 𝑑𝑥 can be integrated w.r.t. y to give
𝑑𝑦 2

𝑑𝑢 1 𝑑𝑝
= 𝐴 + 𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 ....(4.4)
𝑑𝑦

1 𝑑𝑝
𝑢 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵 + 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 2 ....(4.5)

The constants A and B are determined from boundary conditions and there are two
cases of primary interest (see the next question, part (ii))

(ii) Simplify this flow to obtain the velocity, u, flow rate, Q, and shear stress, 𝜏,
in the case of:
a. Poiseuille flow (where the plates are at rest and the flow is driven by
the pressure gradient)
Solution

Boundary conditions are 𝑢 = 0 at 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 = ℎ

ℎ 𝑑𝑝
Thus 𝐵 = 0 and 𝐴 = −
2𝜇 𝑑𝑥

1 𝑑𝑝 1 𝑑𝑝 ℎ 2 ℎ2
so 𝑢 = 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 (𝑦 2 − ℎ𝑦) = 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 ((𝑦 − 2) − )
4

ℎ
The velocity distribution is parabolic about the centre line 𝑦 = 2 and the flow is from
high to low pressure.
ℎ2 𝑑𝑝
We can see that the maximum velocity 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − 8𝜇 𝑑𝑥

ℎ ℎ3 𝑑𝑝
The flow rate per unit width is 𝑄 = ∫0 𝑢𝑑𝑦 = − 12𝜇 𝑑𝑥

𝑄 ℎ2 𝑑𝑝 2
The mean velocity 𝑢̅ = = − 12𝜇 𝑑𝑥 = 3 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥
ℎ

𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑝 𝑑𝑝 ℎ
Finally, shear stress, 𝜏 = 𝜇 𝑑𝑦 ; 𝜏 = 𝜇𝐴 + 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑑𝑥 (𝑦 − 2)

ℎ 𝑑𝑝 ̅
6𝜇𝑢 6𝜇𝑄
̅
Thus at 𝑦 = ℎ 𝑜𝑟 0, 𝜏 = ± 2 𝑑𝑥 = + ̅
=+
ℎ ℎ2
 b. Couette flow (where there is no pressure gradient and the plates are
in relative motion)

Solution

Boundary conditions are 𝑢 = 0 at 𝑦 = 0, and 𝑢 = 𝑈 at 𝑦 = ℎ

𝑑𝑝 𝑈
Thus, since = 0 (imposed); 𝐵 = 0 and 𝐴 =
𝑑𝑥 ℎ

𝑈𝑦
𝑢=
ℎ
ℎ 𝑈
The flow rate per unit width 𝑄 = ∫0 𝑢𝑑𝑦 = 2 h

and from equation 4.4 the shear stress 𝜏 is

𝑈
𝜏 = 𝜇𝐴 = 𝜇 ℎ and is the same throughout the flow.
2. A uniform oil film is maintained between a stationary plate and a moving plate.
The moving plate has a constant velocity of 5 m/s. The oil film thickness is to be
maintained at 5 mm.

Determine:

(i) The volumetric flowrate if the plates are 0.6 m wide.

(ii) The mass flowrate.
(iii) The shear stress at the surface of the moving plate..
(iv) The shear force at the surface of the moving plate, if the plates are 2 m
long.

The oil has a specific gravity of 0.92 and kinematic viscosity of 6 x 10-4 m2/s.

Solution

The flow is clearly a Couette flow, so from the equations derived above:

𝑈.ℎ.𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 5 × 0.005 × 0.6 -3 3

(i) Q= = = 7.5 x 10 m /s
2 2
(ii) 𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑄 = 920 x 7.5 x 10-3 = 6.9 kg/s
𝑈 𝜌𝜈𝑈 920 × 6 × 10−4 × 5
(iii) 𝜏 =𝜇ℎ= ℎ = = 552 N/m2
0.005
(iv) 𝐹 = 𝜏A = 552 x 0.6 x 2 = 662.4 N

3. A film of liquid is in steady laminar motion under gravity down a plane inclined at
angle 𝛼 to the horizontal. Show that the thickness t of the liquid film is
1⁄
3𝜇𝑄 3
𝑡=( )
𝜌𝑔 sin 𝛼

where 𝜇 is the coefficient of viscosity and Q is the flow rate per unit width.
Solution
Sketch of the flow with boundary conditions:

𝜕𝜌 𝜌𝜕𝑢 𝜌𝜕𝑣
The continuity equation is: + + =0
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Which for steady and incompressible flow with no y velocity component (v=0) leaves
𝜕𝑢
= 0, which means that 𝑢 = 𝑢(𝑦) (is a function of y only).
𝜕𝑥

For the Navier-Stokes equations (in the x-direction) we have:

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢
+𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 =𝑋− + 𝜇 ( 2 + 2 + 2)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
The entire left-hand side will be zero (i.e. steadiness, v=0, w=0, 𝜕𝑥 = 0) and only 𝜕𝑦 2
will remain in the viscous term, leaving:

𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑢
𝑋− + 𝜇 ( 2) = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑝′ 𝜕2𝑢
And if 𝑝′ = 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ (for a gravity body force), then = 𝜇 (𝜕𝑦 2 ).
𝜕𝑥

𝜕𝑢 1 𝜕𝑝′ 1 𝜕𝑝′
Integrating this gives: 𝜕𝑦 = 𝜇 𝑦 + 𝐴, and again gives: 𝑢 = 2𝜇 𝑦 2 + 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝑡 𝜕𝑝′
Applying the boundary conditions: 𝜕𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 = 𝑡 (as 𝜏 = 𝜇 𝜕𝑦 = 0) so 𝐴 = − 𝜇 .
𝜕𝑥

1 𝜕𝑝′
Also, 𝑢 = 0 on 𝑦 = 0, which means 𝐵 = 0. Therefore: 𝑢 = 2𝜇 𝑦(𝑦 − 2𝑡) = 𝐾𝑦(𝑦 −
𝜕𝑥
2𝑡) for a parameter 𝐾.

Now 𝑝′ = 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ, where h is a vertical distance from some reference level.

We can write ℎ = −𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 + 𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼,

(see left figure)

so 𝑝′ = 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑔(−𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 + 𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) and

then
𝜕𝑝′ 𝜕𝑝
= − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝜌𝑔
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑝′ 𝜌𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
On the fluid surface 𝑝 = 0 all along x, so = −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝜌𝑔, which means 𝐾 = − .
𝜕𝑥 2𝜇

𝑡 𝑡 2𝐾 3
The (volumetric) flow rate, Q, is then: 𝑄 = ∫0 𝑢𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 𝐾(𝑦 2 − 2𝑡𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = − 𝑡
3

2 3𝑄𝜇 1/3
So 𝑄 = 6𝜇 𝜌𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑡 3 or 𝑡 = (𝜌𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼) , as required.

4. It is proposed to estimate the skin friction (shear) stress 𝜏 at a point on a solid

surface, as air flows over the surface, by observing the behaviour of a thin film of
oil placed on the surface. If h is the thickness of the film at the point, show that
the flow rate Q per width is given by
𝜏ℎ2 ℎ3 𝑑𝑝
𝑄= −
2𝜇 3𝜇 𝑑𝑥
 where 𝜇 is the coefficient of viscosity of the oil and dp/dx the pressure gradient in
the direction of flow.

Solution

1 𝑑𝑝 𝑑𝑢 1 𝑑𝑝
For steady 1D flow: 𝑢 = 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑦 + 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 2 and 𝑑𝑦 = 𝐵 + 𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦

Applying the boundary conditions to these equations gives:

1 𝑑𝑝 𝑑𝑢
𝐴 = 0 (by 𝑢 = 0, 𝑦 = 0) and 𝐵 = 𝜇 (𝜏 − 𝑑𝑥 ℎ), since 𝜏 = 𝜇 𝑑𝑦 for some shear stress 𝜏 on
1 𝑑𝑝 1 𝑑𝑝
the free surface 𝑦 = ℎ. So velocity is: 𝑢 = 𝜇 (𝜏 − 𝑑𝑥 ℎ)𝑦 + 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 2

The flow rate can be determined via:

ℎ 1 𝑑𝑝 1 𝑑𝑝 ℎ 𝜏ℎ2 1 𝑑𝑝
𝑄 = ∫0 𝑢 𝑑𝑦 = [2𝜇 (𝜏 − 𝑑𝑥 ℎ) y 2 + 6𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 3 ] = − 3𝜇 𝑑𝑥 ℎ3 , as required.
0 2𝜇

5. Show that for steady two-dimensional Poiseuille flow between parallel planes that
the flowrate, Q, per unit width is given by

ℎ3 𝑑𝑝
𝑄= −
12𝜇 𝑑𝑥
Where h is the separation of the plates, µ is the absolute viscosity and dp/dx is
the pressure gradient in the flow direction.
The flow of water between the plates in the figure below may be regarded as a
Poiseuille flow between parallel plates separated by a distance equal to the local
plate separation. If the flowrate per unit width is 10-5 m3/s determine the pressure
change over the tapered section AB. Assume for water µ= 0.001 Pa s.
Solution

Assume uni-directional flow parallel to the plates (v=0). The continuity equation is:
𝜕𝜌 𝜌𝜕𝑢 𝜌𝜕𝑣
+ 𝜕𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦 = 0, which for steady and incompressible flow with no y velocity
𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝑢
component (v=0) leaves 𝜕𝑥 = 0, which means that 𝑢 = 𝑢(𝑦) (is a function of y only).

For the Navier Stokes equations (in the x-direction) we have:

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢
+𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 =− + 𝜇 ( 2 + 2 + 2)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
The entire left-hand side will be zero (i.e. steadiness, v=0, w=0, 𝜕𝑥 = 0) and only 𝜕𝑦 2
will remain in the viscous term, leaving:

𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑢
= 𝜇 ( 2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑝
Navier-Stokes (in the y-direction) reduces to 𝜕𝑦 = 0 (as v=0 everywhere), so we
know 𝑝 = 𝑝(𝑥) is a function of x only.
1 𝑑𝑝
Therefore, integrating w.r.t y gives the usual equation: 𝑢 = 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑦 + 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦 2 .
Applying boundary conditions (𝑢 = 0 at 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 = ℎ) gives 𝐵 = 0 and 𝐴 =
1 𝑑𝑝 1 𝑑𝑝
− 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 ℎ, therefore 𝑢 = 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 𝑦(𝑦 − ℎ) is the velocity profile.

ℎ 1 𝑑𝑝 ℎ
The flow rate Q is subsequently: 𝑄 = ∫0 𝑢 𝑑𝑦 = 2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 ∫0 (𝑦 2 − ℎ𝑦)𝑑𝑦 =
ℎ
1 𝑑𝑝 𝑦 3 ℎ𝑦 2 ℎ3 𝑑𝑝
[ − ] = − 12𝜇 𝑑𝑥 , as required.
2𝜇 𝑑𝑥 3 2 0

For the tapering section, h = 0.005 – 0.00175x, where x is the distance from A in
metres. So

𝑑𝑝 12𝜇𝑄 10−5 120

= − 3 = −12 × 0.001 × 3
=−
𝑑𝑥 ℎ (0.005 − 0.00175𝑥) (5 − 1.75𝑥)3
𝐵 𝑑𝑝 1 𝑑𝑥
The pressure change from A to B is ∫𝐴 𝑑𝑥 = −120 ∫0 (5−1.75𝑥)3
=
𝑑𝑥
120 1 1
− 2×1.75 [5−1.75𝑥2 ] = −1.87 𝑃𝑎
0

In other words, a pressure drop of 1.87 Pa/m .