MEC516/BME516:

Fluid Mechanics I

Chapter 4: Differential Relations for

Fluid Flow
Part 5
Department of Mechanical
© David Naylor, 2014 & Industrial Engineering
 © David Naylor

Overview
• Two Exact Solutions to the Continuity and
Navier-Stokes Equations
• Laminar flow between fixed parallel plates
(Poiseuille Flow).

• Laminar flow between parallel plates with Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille
one plate moving (Couette Flow). (1797-1869)

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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

Problem Definition
• Consider steady laminar incompressible viscous flow
between fixed parallel plates a distance 2ℎ apart.
• Plates are very wide and long. So, the flow is purely
axial: 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑤𝑤 = 0.
• Neglect gravity effects. (Adds hydrostatic press. gradient)

Continuity Equation:
(incompressible)

𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

+ + =0 
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
= 0 ∴ 𝑢𝑢 is not changing in the x-direction.
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
𝑣𝑣 = 0 𝑤𝑤 = 0

• So, the flow is called fully developed. No flow entrance effects remain.
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A Brief Side Comment: Developing Flow

• The velocity profile is initially uniform at the inlet.
• Boundary layers grow on both walls due to viscous drag.
• Boundary layers merge on the centre line. Current exact solution is for flow
𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢
𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 that is fully developed, =0
• Velocity profile stops changing in x-direction, =0 𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥

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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

Problem Definition
• Consider steady laminar incompressible viscous flow
between fixed parallel plates a distance 2ℎ apart.
• Plates are very wide and long. So, the flow is purely
axial, 1-D flow: 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑤𝑤 = 0.
• Neglect gravity effects. (Adds hydrostatic press. gradient in y)

Continuity Equation:
(incompressible)
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
+ + =0  = 0 ∴ 𝑢𝑢 is not changing in the x-direction.
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
𝑣𝑣 = 0 𝑤𝑤 = 0

• So, the flow is called fully developed. No flow entrance effects remain.

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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

• We have 1-D flow. So, we write the Navier-Stokes
equation in the x-direction.
x-momentum: Non-linear convective terms

𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢

ρ + 𝑢𝑢 + 𝑣𝑣 + 𝑤𝑤 = − +µ + + + ρ𝑔𝑔𝑥𝑥
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2 𝜕𝜕𝑧𝑧 2
𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢
steady = 0 𝑣𝑣 = 0 𝑤𝑤 = 0 =0
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥

• Note that the non-linear terms are zero, which makes the analytical solution much easier.
𝜕𝜕𝑝𝑝 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
• Since 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑤𝑤 = 0 and gravity is neglected, y- and z- momentum equations give: = = 0, 𝑝𝑝 = 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥)
𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
• Simplifying:
𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑝𝑝
µ 2 = = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝑑𝑑𝑦𝑦 𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥

Note the full derivatives! This is an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) not a Partial Differential Equation (PDE).
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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

τ𝑤𝑤 = µ �
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑦𝑦=ℎ

𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑝𝑝
µ 2= = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 < 0
𝑑𝑑𝑦𝑦 𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥
Press. decreases in x-direction
• Why does this expression equal a constant? because of viscous shear

• Recall from “separation of variables” method (MTH309): Two equal quantities,

one varies with x only (𝑝𝑝 𝑥𝑥 ), one varies with y only (𝑢𝑢(𝑦𝑦)). The can be true is
only if they equal a constant. Otherwise they would be independent!
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
τ𝑤𝑤 = µ � (force on fluid)
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑦𝑦=−ℎ
• Alternately, we can also use a physical argument to reach the same conclusion:

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
is the pressure gradient supplied by the pump to overcome the viscous shear
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
stress at the wall, i.e. the skin friction drag. The shear force at the walls will not
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
change with x since the flow is fully developed, 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 = 0 . So, the pressure gradient
will be constant, i.e. not change with x.
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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
We have: µ 2 = = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
� =0
𝑑𝑑𝑦𝑦 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑦𝑦=0

𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Integrating with respect to y: = 𝑦𝑦 + 𝐶𝐶1
𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• We can use flow symmetry to evaluate 𝐶𝐶1 .

𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
The flow is symmetrical about 𝑦𝑦 = 0, i.e., � = 0 So, 0 = 0 + 𝐶𝐶1
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝑦𝑦=0

• Gives: 𝐶𝐶1 =0

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𝑢𝑢 ℎ = 0
Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates
𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑦𝑦
𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• Integrating again with respect to y:

1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢 −ℎ = 0
𝑢𝑢 = 𝑦𝑦 + 𝐶𝐶2
2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• We use the boundary conditions at either wall (no-slip) to evaluate and 𝐶𝐶2 :

1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2
At 𝑦𝑦 = ±ℎ 𝑢𝑢 = 0 So, 0 = ℎ + 𝐶𝐶2 Thus, 𝐶𝐶2 = − ℎ
2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2
We have: 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑦𝑦 + 𝐶𝐶2 and 𝐶𝐶2 = − ℎ
2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• Making the substitution:

ℎ2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 2 ℎ2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑢𝑢 = − 1− , So, 𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = − (Recall
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
< 0)
2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ℎ2 2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑢𝑢 𝑦𝑦 2
= 1− 2
𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 ℎ

• The velocity profile for laminar flow between parallel plates is parabolic. Called Poiseuille flow,
after French physicist (published ~1840).

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Laminar Flow Between Fixed Parallel Plates

ℎ2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 2
• We have: 𝑢𝑢 = −
2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
1−
ℎ2

• The volume flow rate is:

𝑦𝑦=ℎ 𝑉𝑉�
ℎ ℎ2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ℎ 𝑦𝑦 2 ℎ2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 3 2ℎ3𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑄𝑄 = ∫−ℎ 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = − 2µ ∫ 1− 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = − 2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 − � =−
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 −ℎ ℎ2 3ℎ2 𝑦𝑦=−ℎ 3µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

ℎ2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2
Noting that: 𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = − , we get, 𝑄𝑄 = 𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 2ℎ = 𝑉𝑉� 2ℎ
2µ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 3

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So, 𝑢𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝑉𝑉� (Be careful: This is a different result than for a round pipe.)
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Flow Between Fixed Plates with Upper Plate Moving

Problem Definition
• Consider steady laminar incompressible viscous flow
between parallel plates a distance ℎ apart.
• Flow driven by upper plate moving at velocity 𝑉𝑉 .
𝜕𝜕𝑝𝑝
No pressure gradient, = 0.
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥
• Plates are very wide and long. So, the flow is purely
axial: 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑤𝑤 = 0. Neglect gravity effects.

Continuity Equation:
(incompressible)
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
+ + =0  =0 So, the flow is fully developed.
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
𝑣𝑣 = 0 𝑤𝑤 = 0

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Flow Between Fixed Plates with Upper Plate Moving

• So, we have 1-D flow. So, we write the Navier-Stokes equation in
the x-direction.

x-momentum:

𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢

ρ + 𝑢𝑢 + 𝑣𝑣 + 𝑤𝑤 = − +µ + + + ρ𝑔𝑔𝑥𝑥
𝜕𝜕𝑡𝑡 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2 𝜕𝜕𝑧𝑧 2
𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕𝑢𝑢
steady = 0 𝑣𝑣 = 0 𝑤𝑤 = 0 0 =0
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥

• Again, the non-linear terms are zero.

• Simplifying:
𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢
=0
𝑑𝑑𝑦𝑦 2

• Again, this is now an ODE, not a PDE, since 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑢𝑢(𝑦𝑦)

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Flow Between Fixed Plates with Upper Plate Moving

𝑑𝑑 2 𝑢𝑢 𝑢𝑢 ℎ = 𝑉𝑉
• So, we have 𝑑𝑑𝑦𝑦 2
=0

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Integrating twice: = 𝐶𝐶1 , 𝑢𝑢 = 𝐶𝐶1 𝑦𝑦 + 𝐶𝐶2
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• We use the boundary conditions (B.C.) at 𝑦𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦𝑦 = ℎ to get
the constants.

𝑢𝑢 0 = 0
• Applying the lower B.C.: 𝑢𝑢 0 = 0, 0 = 𝐶𝐶1 0 + 𝐶𝐶2 Thus, 𝐶𝐶2 = 0
𝑉𝑉
• Applying the upper B.C.: 𝑢𝑢 ℎ = 𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉 = 𝐶𝐶1 ℎ Thus, 𝐶𝐶1 =
ℎ

𝑦𝑦
• The result is: 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑉𝑉
ℎ

• The velocity profile is linear. (We made this assumption without proof in Chapter 1)
• Laminar flow between plates with flow driven by the motion of the upper plate is
linear is called Couette flow, after another French physicist (1858-1943).
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Source: http://prguitarman.tumblr.com/post/52221706891/slow-motion-bubble-pop

END NOTES
Presentation prepared and delivered by Dr. David Naylor.

© David Naylor 2014. All rights reserved.

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