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F DF DX Dy DF

The document describes the method of characteristics for solving supersonic irrotational flow problems. It discusses: 1) Deriving governing equations for the change in any flow variable along characteristic lines using the velocity potential equation and relationships between flow variables. 2) Showing that characteristic lines make the Mach angle with streamlines and are lines along which derivatives are indeterminate. 3) Developing an ordinary differential equation that governs changes in variables along characteristic lines from the governing equations. 4) Outlining a numerical strategy to solve for properties at a point by using properties at two other points on intersecting characteristic lines. 5) Demonstrating how boundary conditions at walls can be applied by

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Midhun Mv
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42 views9 pages

F DF DX Dy DF

The document describes the method of characteristics for solving supersonic irrotational flow problems. It discusses: 1) Deriving governing equations for the change in any flow variable along characteristic lines using the velocity potential equation and relationships between flow variables. 2) Showing that characteristic lines make the Mach angle with streamlines and are lines along which derivatives are indeterminate. 3) Developing an ordinary differential equation that governs changes in variables along characteristic lines from the governing equations. 4) Outlining a numerical strategy to solve for properties at a point by using properties at two other points on intersecting characteristic lines. 5) Demonstrating how boundary conditions at walls can be applied by

Uploaded by

Midhun Mv
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

The method of characteristics has been used for many years to compute supersonic irrotational
flows. Although the method has a strong analytical basis, its practical implementation is,
essentially, always numerical and it is then used to compute the values of the flow variables at a
series of distinct points in the flow rather than continuously throughout the flow field.

Lets consider a general steady two-dimensional irrotational flowfield. We have already derived the
velocity potential (φ) equation for such flowfield.

----- (32.1)

Consider the change in any flow variable,f, df which can be determined by small changes in the
coordinates dx and dy as illustrated in Fig.1.2. The change in the variable, df,

If f = then this will give:

But u = so this equation gives:

----- (32.2)

Simillarly if f = then this will give:

But v = so this equation gives:

----- (32.3)

Now consider eqs. 32.1, 32.2 and 32.3 which involve second derivatives of φ and can be solved
using Cramer’s Rule. For example
-----------(32.4)

In general, this equation can be solved for any chosen values of dx and dy , i.e., for any chosen
direction, to give at a selected point in the flow. However, it is possible to
have indeterminate in certain directions. Morereov this differential is expected to be finite
at that point. Hence in these directions, eq. 32.4 must give an indeterminate value.

Lets consider the denominator of eq 32.4 since along a particular direction is


indeterminate. Hence the denominator should be zero, as:

Dividing by gives:

The subscript 'ch' on dy/dx indicates that the slope of the characteristic line or a specific direction
is being considered along which differntials are indeterminate. Solving above equation we get:

Lets represet the component of velocities in terms of velocity vector and angle made by the
streamline with co-ordinate axes as,

Hence,we get the same equation for slope as,


where, M=V/a.

We can introduce the local Mach angle,a, where ( ) by


replacing Mach number as,

After much manipulation and rearrangement, it can be shown that this equation gives:

-------------(32.5)

There are two characteristc lines. This clearly means that the characterstic lines or lines along
which derivatives are inderminate makes Mach angle with the streamline. Hence the net angle
made by the characterstic line with the x-axis is the summation of the angle made by the streamline
with x-axis and angle made by the Mach wave wth streamline. Hence Mach waves are the
characteric lines.
33.1. Governing Equation

We know about the direction of the characteristic line obtained from the indeterminancy of the eq.
(32.4) for zero denominator. However finiteness of the differentail compels the zero value of the
numeretor. This condition evolves the equation to be solved along the characteristic lines.

Hence for the numeretor eq. (32.4) we have,

Substituting for slope (dy/dx) of the characteristic lines from eq. (32.5) that gives:

Substituting this expression in eq. 33.1 we get,


This is the equation governing the changes in the variables along the characteristic lines. It can
be noted that it is an ordinary differential equation whereas the original equation, velocity potential
equation, was a partial differential equation.

We have already seen the solution for equation 33.2 during consideration of expansion fan (25.4).
On the similar line, the integration of eq. 33.2 leads to,

This is the simple algrbric eqution which we will have to solve along the characteristic line.

Following figure represents the details of the characteristic lines.


Fig. 33.1. Schematic representation of the details of the characteristic line

We know that there are two characteristic lines from eq. 32.5.

For C+ characteristics line of Fig.33.1:

For C- characteristics line of Fig.33.1:

K+ and K - are constants along the + and - characteristic lines.

33.2 Strategy to solve numerically along the characteristic line


Consider any point 3 in the flowfield at which properties are to be evaluated. Point 1 and 2
supposed to the points of known properties. Consider C+ characteristic line passing through point
2 and C- passing through 1 intersecting at point 3. Hence point 3 lies on both the characteristic
lines. Therefore for point 1 and 3 we have,

Fig. 33.2. Solution strategy at a point in the flowfield.

Similarly for the point 2 and 3

Hence,

First adding these two equations and then subtracting them gives:

which can be also written as:


This helps in finding θ3 and v3 from known properties. Since v3 depends only on M, this
allows M3and hence a3 can be evaluated. Since the stagnation pressure and temperature are
constant throughout the flow field therefore using M3 we can clauclate P3, T3, a3, and ρ3 and then
V3. The characteristic lines are, in general, curved. Their local slope depends on the local values
of v and θ. However, if points 1 and 3 and 2 and 3 are close together, the characteristic lines can
be assumed to be straight with a slope equal to the average of the values at the end points.

Since θ3 and a3 are determined by solving above two equations we can determine x3 and y3.

The procedure discussed above was for an "internal" point, i.e., a point 3 in the flow field that did
not lie on a boundary. If a point lies on the boundary, the flow direction at this point will be
determined by the slope of the boundary, e.g., consider the point 5 shown in Fig. 33.3 which lies
on a solid wall. The flow direction at this point θ5 is equal to the slope of the wall as indicated.
Consider the characteristic line between points 4 and 5 as shown in the same figure. Since (K - )4
= (K - )5 it follows that:

Fig. 33.3. Demonstration of wall boundary condition.

However, θ5 is known, hence v5 is given by:

With v5 determined, the values of all the flow properties at 5 can be determined as discussed
before. The characteristic line between 4 and 5 is, of course, assumed to be straight which
determines the position of the point 5.

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