Elementary

Hydrodynamics
Lecture#2 (Week 2)
(CLO3, PLO1)
 Streamlines/ψ-lines/flow lines

 It is an imaginary line representing the mean direction of

velocities of a number of fluid particles in motion. Tangent
drawn at any point on the flow line gives velocity vector.
 These lines represent the pattern of flow and are helpful in
determining the rate of flow. These are the lines for which
stream function (ψ) is constant
Properties of streamlines
 There can be no flow across a stream line
 They can not cross each other.
 Stream lines spacing varies inversely with respect to velocity
i.e. more velocity less spacing and vice versa.
 Streamlines/ψ-lines/flow lines
y
v
V
θ u
P(x,y)

x
 Consider a point ‘P’ on the stream lines having coordinates x
and y. Let ‘V’ is the velocity vector at this point having two
components u and v and θ is the angle of V with the x-axis.
v dy v dy
tan θ = and tan θ = ⇒ =
u dx u dx
vdx = udy
udy − vdx =←0 Equation of stream line
 Equipotential lines/ Φ-lines

 These are the imaginary lines which represent the points of

equal pressure heads in a flow i.e. velocity potential function
(Φ) is constant along these lines.
Stream Function (ψ)
 The stream function ψ (x , y) is mathematically defined for a
Cartesian coordinates system as:

∂ψ
= u − − − −(1)
∂y
∂ψ
− = v − − − (2)
∂x
 Velocity potential function (Φ)

 The velocity potential function Φ (x , y) is mathematically

defined for a Cartesian coordinates system as:
∂φ
= u − − − −(1)
∂x
∂φ
= v − − − (2)
∂y
 Orthogonality of ψ-lines & Φ-lines
consider a line along which ψ is constant
i.e. mathematically dψ = 0
∂ψ ∂ψ
dx + dy =dψ
∂x ∂y
∂ψ ∂ψ
where u = & -v =
∂y ∂x
−vdx + udy = dψ
−vdx + udy = 0
dy v
= --------(1) ← slope of stream line
dx u
 Orthogonality of ψ-lines & Φ-lines
consider a line along which φ is constant
i.e. mathematically dφ = 0
∂φ ∂φ
dx + dy = dφ
∂x ∂y
∂φ ∂φ
where u = &v=
∂x ∂y
udx + vdy =dφ ⇒ udx + vdy =0
dy u
= − -------(2) ← slope of φ − line
dx v
From (1) and (2) it is obvious that ψ -lines & φ -lines
will always intersect normally that callled as orthogonality
of ψ -lines & φ -lines.
Orthogonality of ψ-lines & Φ-lines
Existence stream function (ψ) & velocity
potential function (Φ)
(1) For continuity of flow in 2-dimensions
∂u ∂v
+ = 0 − − − − − (1)
∂x ∂y
(a ) Considering stream function ψ
∂ψ ∂ψ
= u& = −v
∂y ∂x
from (1)
 ∂ψ   ∂ψ 
∂  ∂  − 
 ∂y +  ∂ x =0
∂x ∂y
∂ 2ψ ∂ 2ψ
− = 0 − − − − − (i )
∂x∂y ∂x∂y
Left hand side of equation (i) will always be zero so
stream function will always exist in continous flow.
 Existence stream function (ψ) & velocity
potential function (Φ)
(b) Considering Velocity potential function φ
∂φ ∂φ
= u= & v
∂x ∂y
from (1)
 ∂φ  ∂  ∂φ 
∂   ∂y 
 ∂x  +   = 0
∂x ∂y
∂ 2φ ∂ 2φ
2
+ 2 = 0 − − − − − (ii )
∂x ∂y
Equation (ii) is Laplace equation for Velocity potential function φ
Left hand side of equation may or may not be zero so
Velocity potential function φ may or may not exist in continous flow.
Existence stream function (ψ) & velocity
potential function (Φ)
(2) For irrotationality of flow
∂v ∂u
− = 0 − − − −(2)
∂x ∂y
(a) Considering stream function ψ
∂ψ ∂ψ
= u& = −v
∂y ∂x
from (2)
 ∂ψ  ∂  ∂ψ 
∂−   ∂y 
 ∂ x −  =0
∂x ∂y
∂ 2ψ ∂ 2ψ
2
+ 2 = 0 − − − − − (iii )
∂x ∂y
Left hand side of equation (iii) may or may not be zero so
stream function may or may not exist in Irrotational flow.
 Existence stream function (ψ) & velocity
potential function (Φ)

(b) Considering Velocity potential function φ

∂φ ∂φ
= u= & v
∂x ∂y
from (2)
 ∂φ  ∂φ
∂   ∂  
 ∂y  −  ∂x  =
0
∂x ∂y
∂ 2φ ∂ 2φ
− = 0 − − − − − (iv)
∂x∂y ∂x∂y
Left hand side of equation (iv) will always be zero so
Velocity potential function will always exist in Irrotaional flow.
 Example Problem 5
Determine the velocity potential function for the following:
(a) ψ = 30y represents uniform flow with a velocity 30 m/sec
parallel to x-axis in +ve x-direction
(b) ψ = -40x represents uniform flow with a velocity 40 m/sec
parallel to y-axis in +ve y-direction
(c) ψ = 17.3y-10x represents uniform flow with a velocity 20 m/sec
at an angle of 30ο with x-axis
Solution :
(a) ψ = 30y
∂ψ ∂ (30 y )
u =
= = 30 &= v 0
∂y ∂y
= dφ ⇒ dφ= udx ⇒ dφ= 30dx − − − (1)
udx + vdy
Taking interation= φ 30 x + C
 Example Problem 5
(b) ψ = -40x
∂ψ ∂ (−40 x)
v= − = − 40 & u =
= 0
∂x ∂x
φ udx + vdy ⇒ d=
d= φ vdy
= 40dy − − − (1)
Taking interation=φ 40 y + C
(c) ψ = 17.3y-10x
∂ψ ∂ (17.3y-10x)
u =
= = 17.3
∂y ∂y
∂ψ ∂ (17.3y-10x)
v= − = − =10
∂x ∂x
dφ = udx + vdy ⇒ dφ = 17.3dx + 10dy
Taking interation φ = 17.3x + 10 y + C
 Example Problem 6

A flow field is characterized as ψ = 12.5y 2

Determine the vorticity ξ .
Solution :
(a) ψ = 12.5y 2
∂ψ ∂ (12.5 y 2 ) ∂ψ
u== = 25 y & v =− 0
=
∂y ∂y ∂x
∂v ∂u ∂ (25 y )
ξ = − =0 − =0 − 25
∂x ∂y ∂y
ξ = −25
 Example Problem 7
A 2-dimensional flow field is characterized as ψ = 3x 2 y-y3
Determine the vorticity ξ .
Solution :
(a) ψ = 3x 2 y − y 3
∂ψ ∂ (3x 2 y − y 3 )
u =
= = 3x 2 -3y 2
∂y ∂y
∂ψ ∂ (3x 2 y − y 3 )
&v= − = − = −6 xy
∂x ∂x
∂v ∂u ∂ (−6 xy ) ∂ (3x 2 -3y 2 )
ξ =− = − −6 y + 6 y =
= 0
∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y
ξ = 0 (irrotational flow)
 Example Problem 8
A 2-dimensional flow field is characterized as
u = 3x & v = −3 y
Check the existence of ψ and φ and determine their excpressions
Solution :
(a) stream function ψ will exist if continutiy is satisfied
∂u ∂v ∂ (3 x) ∂ (−3 y )
i.e. + =0⇒ + = 3 − 3 = 0 Continuity is satisfied
∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y
Hence stream function ψ will exist
dψ = −vdx + udy
dψ =−(−3 y )dx + (3x)dy
taking integration
ψ = 3xy + 3xy + C1 = 6 xy + C1
 Example Problem 8
(a) φ will exist if irrotationality is satisfied
∂v ∂u ∂ (−3 y ) ∂ (3x)
i.e. − =0⇒ + = 0 − 0 = 0 irrotationality is satisfied
∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y
φ will exist
d=φ udx + vdy
dφ (3 x)dx + (−3 y )dy
=
taking integration
φ= 1.5 x 2 − 1.5 y 2 + C2= 1.5( x 2 − y 2 ) + C2
 Flow Net

 It is a graphical representation of network of streamlines and

equipotential lines.
 It provides flow pattern of a fluid in any pipeline or any other
media like soil.
 It is used to estimate quantities of subsurface flow or seepage
flow.
Characteristics of flow nets
• The Φ lines intersect ψ including the fixed boundaries
normally.
• The unit figure of the resulting grid is approximately square.
• In the region of uniform flow the squares are of equal size and
they increase in size in diverging flow and decrease in size in
converging flow.
 Characteristics of Flow Net

• The spacing of Φ lines and ψ lines is equal and inversely

proportional to the velocity at any point.
• The size of the square decreases toward the inner side or
curve.
Characteristics of Flow Net
Flow Net under the dam
Flow Net through earthen dam
 Basic Flow Fields

 Flow field is a way of looking at motion of a fluid with respect

to space and time.
(1) Rectilinear flow field
• It is the simplest of flow field in which the streamlines are
straight, parallel and evenly spaced.
(2) Source and Sink
• Source is a flow field in which streamlines are symmetrically
spaced and flow is radially outward from a point.
• Sink is a flow field in which streamlines are symmetrically
spaced and flow is radially inward from a point.
Rectilinear Flow Fields
Source and Sink
 Home Assignment

 Solved examples 5.1, 5.2 and 5.5 from Daugherty Book

Chapter 5
 Problems 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 from Daugherty Book Chapter
5