Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

IV semester Mechanical Engineering

End Sem Exam: Fluid Mechanics (June/2022)
Time: 3 hour Max. marks: 50
SOLUTION AND SCHEME

Q1. (i) What is the difference between Dynamic viscosity and Kinematic viscosity? State their units
of measurement.
(ii) How does the viscosity of fluid vary with temperature?
(iii) What do you mean by (a) Surface tension (b) Capillarity (3)

Dynamic viscosity or Absolute viscosity (): It is defined as the property of fluid which offers
resistance to the movement of one layer of fluid over another adjacent layer of the fluid. It is
the measure of fluidity of the fluid. It is also defined as the shear stress required to produce
unit rate of shear strain.

SI Unit: N sec/m2 = Pa s
In CGS unit, unit of viscosity is poise. 1 poise = 1 dyne s/cm2

1 dyne = 1 gm cm/s2 Definition/explanation: 0.5 mark

Unit: 0.5 mark

1 Pa.s = 1 N s/m2 = 10 poise
Total: (0.5+0.5)*3 = 3 marks
Kinematic viscosity ():
It is the ratio of dynamic viscosity of the fluid to its mass density OR It is the viscosity per unit
density. It is expressed as,

=


SI Unit: m2/s

CGS unit: 1 Stoke = 1 cm2/s = 10-4 m2/s

Q2. A 15 cm diameter vertical cylinder rotates concentrically inside another cylinder of diameter
15.10 cm. Both cylinders are 25 cm high. The space between the cylinders is filled with a liquid
whose viscosity is unknown. If a torque of 12 Nm is required to rotate the inner cylinder at 100 rpm,
determine the viscosity of the fluid. (3)

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 du: 0.5 mark

dy: 0.5 mark

Area: 0.5 mark

Shear force: 0.5 mark

Torque: 0.5 mark

Viscosity: 0.5 mark

Q3. (i) A cylindrical tank contains water to a height of 50 mm. Inside is a small open cylindrical tank
containing kerosene (Specific gravity = 0.8) to a height of h. The following pressures are known from
indicated gauges.
pB = 13.8 kPa (gauge)
pC = 13.82 kPa (gauge)
Determine the gauge pressure pA and height h. Assume that kerosene is prevented from moving to
the top of the tank. (4)

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 1 mark

1 mark

(ii) A piezometer is attached to a tank as shown in the figure below. If water rises to a height of
800 mm in the piezometer, for the dimensions shown in figure, find the gauge pressure readings
pA and pB, where A and B are air pockets under pressure. Neglect capillary effects.

Page 3 of 13
pA = 105.224 kPa (absolute)

pB= 106.205 kPa (absolute)

Q4. Dams are built much thicker at the lower side of the structure.
Justify this engineering design from the fluid static point of view
using appropriate sketch. (2)
Dams are built much thicker at the bottom because the pressure
force increases with depth, and the bottom part of dams are
subjected to largest forces. (1 mark)
Sketch 1 mark

Q5. The 200-kg, 5-m-wide rectangular gate shown in Fig. is

hinged at B and leans against the floor at A making an angle
of 45° with the horizontal. The gate is to be opened from
its lower edge by applying a normal force at its centre.
Determine the minimum force F required to open the
water gate. (4)

Length of plate AB = 3/sin 45 = 4.243 m

Area of Plate, A = width  AB = 5  4.243 = 21.22 m2
Depth of centroid, hc = 0.5 + 3/2 = 2 m

Total pressure force,

FR = ghcA = 10009.81221.22 = 416.33 kN Marking scheme:

Schematic as above: 0.5 mark

Area moment of inertia of plate about hinge line,
𝑏𝑑3 𝐴𝐵3 4.2433 Calculating area A and hc : 0.5 mark
𝐼= = 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ × =5× = 31.828 𝑚4
12 12 12
Calculating FR: 1 mark
Depth of COP Calculating I: 0.5 mark
𝐼 31.828 × sin2 45𝑜
ℎ𝑃 = ℎ𝐶 + sin2 45𝑜 = 2 + = 2.37 𝑚
𝐴ℎ𝐶 21.22 × 2 Calculating hp: 0.5 mark

Distance of COP from hinge, B Calculating F: 1 mark

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 (ℎ𝑃 − 0.5)
𝑃𝐵 = = 2.65 𝑚
sin 45𝑜

Taking moment about the hinge B,

𝐹𝑅 × 𝑃𝐵 + 𝑊 × 𝐶𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝐹 × 𝐶𝐵
4.243 4.243
416.34 × 103 × 2.65 + 1962 × × 𝑐𝑜𝑠45𝑜 = 𝐹 ×
2 2
𝐹 = 521.44 𝑘𝑁

Q6. A large ice block is floating in seawater. The specific

gravities of ice and seawater are 0.92 and 1.025,
respectively.
(i) If a 10-cm-high portion of the ice block extends above
the surface of the water, determine the height of the ice
block below the surface.
(ii) Also determine the force required to lift the block such
that the centre of gravity of the block coincides with the
sea water level. Take sides of the block as 0.4 m  0.4 m.
(4)

(2 marks)

(2 marks)

Q7. Give reasons for the following, using mathematical justification.

(i) The flow of a compressible fluid can be sometimes considered as an incompressible flow.
(ii) A fluid flowing under steady state condition, also has an acceleration.
(iii) In a steady 2D irrotational flow, the equipotential line is perpendicular to the stream line
. (3)

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(i) Mach number, M = v/c, if it is less than 0.33, (i.e., if v = 110 m/s, knowing c = 343 m/s) then even
if the fluid is a gas or air (compressible fluid), the flow can be considered “incompressible flow”.
(1 mark)
(ii) The total acceleration of a flowing fluid is given by the sum of the local acceleration and the
convective acceleration.
𝐷(𝑣𝑒𝑙) 𝜕(𝑣𝑒𝑙) 𝜕(𝑣𝑒𝑙) 𝜕(𝑣𝑒𝑙) 𝜕(𝑣𝑒𝑙)
= +𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤
𝐷𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
The local acceleration is dependent on time. So for a steady flow (invariant with time), the
local acceleration becomes zero, but still the convective acceleration exists. (1 mark)
𝑑𝑦 𝑢
(iii) In a 2D irrotational flow, the slope of the equipotential line is given by (𝑑𝑥 ) = −𝑣
𝐸𝑃𝐿
𝑑𝑦 𝑣
And the slope of the stream line is given by (𝑑𝑥 ) =𝑢
𝑆𝐿
Mathematically, if the product of the slopes of two lines is equal to -1, then the curves are
normal to each other at their intersection point. Therefore the SL and the EPL in a 2D
irrotational flow field are perpendicular to each other. (1 mark)

Q8. The velocity in a 3D flow field is given as 𝑽 ̂.

⃗ = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝒊̂ + 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝒋̂ − (𝟐𝒙𝒚𝒛 + 𝒚𝒛𝟐 )𝒌
(i) Show mathematically, if this flow can exist?
(ii) Find the total acceleration at (2, 1, 3) (3)

The velocity components are:

𝑢 = 𝑥 2 𝑦, 𝑣 = 𝑦 2 𝑧, 𝑤 = −(2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )
(i) Apply continuity equation
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑤
+ + =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕(𝑥 2 𝑦) 𝜕(𝑦 2 𝑧) 𝜕(−2𝑥𝑦𝑧−𝑦𝑧 2 )
𝜕𝑥
+ 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝜕𝑧
= 2𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦𝑧 − 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧 = 0 (1 mark)
The continuity equation is satisfied. So the given flow field can exits.

(ii) The x-component of acceleration is

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕(𝑥 2 𝑦) 𝜕(𝑥 2 𝑦) 𝜕(𝑥 2 𝑦)
𝑎𝑥 = 𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 = (𝑥 2 𝑦) + (𝑦 2 𝑧) + [−(2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
2 2 2 2
𝑎𝑥 = (𝑥 𝑦)(2𝑥𝑦) + (𝑦 𝑧)(𝑥 ) − (2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 )(0)
𝑎𝑥 = (22 × 1)(2 × 2 × 1) + (12 × 3)(22 ) − 0 = 16 + 12 = 28 (0.5 mark)

The y-component of acceleration is

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑧 𝜕(𝑦 2 𝑧) 𝜕(𝑦 2 𝑧) 𝜕(𝑦 2 𝑧)
𝑎𝑦 = 𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 = (𝑥 2 𝑦) + (𝑦 2 𝑧) + [−(2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑎𝑦 = (𝑥 2 𝑦)(0) + (𝑦 2 𝑧)(2𝑦𝑧) − (2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )(𝑦 2 )
𝑎𝑦 = 0 + (12 × 3)(2 × 1 × 3) − (2 × 2 × 1 × 3 + 1 × 32 )(12 ) = −3 (0.5 mark)

The z-component of acceleration is

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤
𝑎𝑧 = 𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕(−2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 ) 𝜕(−2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 ) 𝜕(−2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 𝑦𝑧 2 )
𝑎𝑧 = (𝑥 2 𝑦) + (𝑦 2 𝑧) + [−(2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝑎𝑧 = (𝑥 2 𝑦)(−2𝑦𝑧 − 0) + (𝑦 2 𝑧)(−2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑧 2 ) + [−(2𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 2 )](−2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑧)
𝑎𝑧 = (22 × 1)(−2 × 1 × 3 − 0) + (12 × 3)(−2 × 1 × 3 − 32 )
+ [−2 × 2 × 1 × 3 − 1 × 32 ](−2 × 2 × 1 − 2 × 1 × 3)
𝑎𝑧 = (4)(−6) + (3)(−6 − 9) + [−12 − 9](−4 − 6) = 141 (0.5 mark)

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Acceleration vector at (2, 1, 3) is, 𝐴 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝑎𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝑎𝑧 𝑘̂ = 28𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ + 144𝑘̂
Total acceleration is |𝐴| = √𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑎𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑧2 =146.72 units (0.5 mark)

𝒚𝟑 𝒙𝟑
⃗ = ( + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝒙𝟐 𝒚) 𝒊̂ + (𝒙𝒚𝟐 − − 𝟐𝒚) 𝒋̂.
Q9. The velocity in a 2D flow field is given as 𝑽 𝟑 𝟑
(i) Determine the velocity potential function corresponding to the flow
(ii) Determine the stream function corresponding to the flow
(iii) Determine the rotation of a fluid particle in the x-y plane at the point (3, 4)
(iv) Determine the shear deformation at a point (3, 4) (4)

The velocity components given are:

𝑦3 𝑥3
𝑢= 3
+ 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 and 𝑣 = 𝑥𝑦 2 − 3
− 2𝑦

𝜕∅ 𝜕∅
(i) 𝑢 = − 𝜕𝑥 and 𝑣 = − 𝜕𝑦
𝑦3 𝜕∅
+ 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 = −
3 𝜕𝑥
𝑦3 𝑦3𝑥 2𝑥 2 𝑥3𝑦
∅ = ∫ (− − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 = − − + + 𝑓(𝑦) (1) (0.5 mark)
3 3 2 3

𝑥3 𝜕∅
𝑥𝑦 2 − − 2𝑦 = −
3 𝜕𝑦
𝑥3 𝑥𝑦 3 𝑥3𝑦 2𝑦 2
∅ = ∫ (−𝑥𝑦 2 + 3 + 2𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 = − 3
+ 3
+ 2
+ 𝐹(𝑥) (2) (0.5 mark)
Comparing (1) and (2),
𝑥𝑦 3 𝑥3𝑦 𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦
∅=− + − 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) − (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) = (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) ( − 1) (0.5 mark)
3 3 3 3

𝜕𝜓 𝜕𝜓
(ii) 𝑢= and 𝑣 = −
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝑦3 𝜕𝜓
+ 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 =
3 𝜕𝑦
𝑦3 𝑦4 𝑥 2𝑦2
𝜓 = ∫ ( 3 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 = 12 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 2
+ 𝑓1 (𝑥) (3) (0.5 mark)

𝑥3 𝜕𝜓
𝑥𝑦 2 − − 2𝑦 = −
3 𝜕𝑥
2 𝑥3 𝑥 2𝑦2 𝑥3
𝜓 = ∫ (−𝑥𝑦 + 3 + 2𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 = − 2 + 9 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝐹1 (𝑦) (4) (0.5 mark)

Comparing (3) and (4)

𝑥 2𝑦2 𝑥3 𝑦4
𝜓 = 2𝑥𝑦 − + + (0.5 mark)
2 9 12

(iii) The rotation in the xy plane at (3, 4)

1 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 1 3𝑥 2 3𝑦 2
𝜔𝑧 = (
2 𝜕𝑥
− 𝜕𝑦) = 2 [(𝑦 2 − 3
− 0) − ( 3
+ 0 − 𝑥 2 )] = 0 (0.5 mark)

(iv) The shear deformation in the xy plane at (3, 4)

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 3𝑥 2 3𝑦 2
𝛾𝑥𝑦 = + = (𝑦 2 − − 0) + ( + 0 − 𝑥2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 3 3
𝛾𝑥𝑦 = 2𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥 2 = 32 − 18 = 14 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 (0.5 mark)

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Q10. Water is flowing through a pipe of 25 cm diameter placed in an inclined position. A
Venturimeter with a 12 cm throat diameter is inserted to measure the flow rate. The difference in
pressure between the main and the throat is measured by a differential manometer containing a
liquid of specific gravity 0.7 which gives a reading of 25 cm. The loss of head between the main and
throat is 0.18 times the kinetic head of the pipe. Draw the required schematic of the arrangement
representing the given situation and evaluate the discharge of water. (3)

Schematic with all the essential features = 0.5 mark

Evaluation of piezometric head = 0.5 mark
Evaluation of velocity of flow using Bernoulli’s Equation = 1.5 marks
Evaluation of discharge of flow = 0.5 mark

Page 8 of 13
Q11. An oil of viscosity 2 poise and a density of 1200 kg/m3 flows between two stationary parallel
plates separated by a distance of 5 mm at a rate of 0.8 m3/s. The length and width of each plate is
2 m and 100 mm respectively. Determine the
(i) pressure drop per unit width per unit length
(ii) total head lost due to friction
(iii) average velocity of flow
(iv) maximum velocity of flow
(v) total drag force on the plates
(vi) power required to maintain the flow between the plates (3)

(i) The head lost per unit width is

∆𝑝 12𝜇𝐿𝑄
ℎ𝑓 = = = 26.095 𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔𝑏𝑡 3
The head lost per unit width per unit length = 26.095 /L = 13.04 kPa/m width/m length
 Pressure drop/unit width/unit length = hf  g = 13.0412009.81 = 153.6 MPa/m/m
(0.5 mark)
(ii) Total head lost due to friction, over a length L and width b is,
= 153.6 MPa  L  b/g = 30.72 MPa/(12009.81) = 2.6096 km of liquid
(0.5 mark)
(iii) Average velocity,
𝑄 0.8
𝑢̅ = = = 1600 𝑚/𝑠
𝐴 0.1 × 5 × 10 × 10−3
OR
We have
∆𝑝 12𝜇𝑢̅𝐿
ℎ𝑓 = =
𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔𝑡 2
2
ℎ𝑓 𝜌𝑔𝑡 2 26.095×103 ×1200×9.81×(5×10−3 ) (0.5 mark)
∴ 𝑢̅ = = = 1600𝑚/𝑠
12𝜇𝐿 12×0.2×2

(iv) Maximum velocity of flow, 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1.5𝑢̅ = 2400 𝑚/𝑠 (0.5 mark)

(v) Maximum shear stress/meter length/meter width

1 𝜕𝑝 1
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2 (𝜕𝑥) 𝑡 = 2 × 153.6 × 5 × 10−3 = 0.384 𝑃𝑎/𝑚/𝑚
Drag force/unit width= 𝐹𝐷 = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 (2𝐿)
Total drag force on the plates, (𝐹𝐷 )𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 (2𝐿 × 𝑏) =0.384220.1=0.1536 Pa

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 (0.5 mark)

(v) Power required to maintain the flow/meter length/meter width,

𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = ∆𝑝 × 𝑄 = 153.6 × 0.8 = 122.88 𝑊 (0.5 mark)

(Note to evaluator: Proportionate marks to be given even if per meter length or per meter width
calculation is not shown/done)

Q12. Evaluate all the major and minor losses occurring in the pipe system shown in figure, during
the flow of water from a reservoir. Determine the flow rate assuming the Darcy’s friction factor
value as 0.01 for both sections of the pipe. Draw the total energy line and hydraulic gradient line.

(4)
Consider two points 1 at the free surface and 2 at the outlet

𝑝1 𝑉1 2 𝑝2 𝑉2 2
+ + 𝑍1 = + + 𝑍2 + ℎ𝐿
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔 𝜌𝑔 2𝑔
𝑉2 2
0+0+8=0+ 2𝑔
+ 0 + ℎ𝑖 + ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑒 + ℎ𝑓2 (a) (0.5 mark)

𝑄 = 𝐴1 𝑉1 = 𝐴2 𝑉2
𝐴2 𝑉2 𝐷 2 0.3 2
𝑉1 = 𝐴1
= (𝐷2 ) 𝑉2 = (0.15) 𝑉2 = 4𝑉2 (b) (0.5 mark)
1

Head lost at pipe entrance

𝑉2 (4𝑉2 )2 𝑉2
2
ℎ𝑖 = 0.5 2𝑔 = 0.5 2𝑔
= 8 2𝑔 (c)
Head lost due to friction in 150 mm dia pipe
𝐿 1 25 1 𝑉2
ℎ𝑓1 = 𝑓 (𝐷1 ) 2𝑔 𝑉1 2 = 0.01 × (0.15) 2𝑔 (4𝑉2 )2 = 26.66 2𝑔
2
(d) Finding
1
Head lost due to sudden expansion hi, hf1, he and hf2: 1 mark
(𝑉1 −𝑉2 )2 (4𝑉2 −𝑉2 )2 𝑉2 2
ℎ𝑒 = = =9 (e)
2𝑔 2𝑔 2𝑔
Head lost due to friction in 300 mm dia pipe
𝐿 1 15 1 𝑉2
ℎ𝑓2 = 𝑓 (𝐷2 ) 2𝑔 𝑉2 2 = 0.01 × (0.3) 2𝑔 (𝑉2 )2 = 0.5 2𝑔
2
(f)
2

𝑉2 2
8= 2𝑔
+ ℎ𝑖 + ℎ𝑓1 + ℎ𝑒 + ℎ𝑓2
𝑉2 2 𝑉2 2 𝑉2 2 𝑉2 2 𝑉2 2
8= +8 + 26.66 +9 + 0.5
2𝑔 2𝑔 2𝑔 2𝑔 2𝑔

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 𝑉2 2
8= (1 + 8 + 26.66 + 9 + 0.5)
2𝑔
𝑉2 = 1.8642 𝑚/𝑠
𝑉1 = 4𝑉2 = 7.4572 𝑚/𝑠 (0.5 mark)

Flow rate, Q = A2V2 = (D12/4)V2 = 0.13177 m3/s = 131.77 LPS (0.5 mark)

𝑉2 2 1.86422
ℎ𝑖 = 8 =8 = 1.4170𝑚
2𝑔 2𝑔

𝑉2 2 1.86422
ℎ𝑓1 = 26.66 = 26.66 = 4.7223𝑚
2𝑔 2𝑔

𝑉2 2 1.86422
ℎ𝑒 = 9 =9 = 1.5942 𝑚
2𝑔 2𝑔

𝑉2 2 1.86422
ℎ𝑓2 = 0.5 = 0.5 = 0.088565 𝑚
2𝑔 2𝑔
TEL 0.5 mark
At A = 8m
HGL 0.5 mark
At B = 8 − 1.4170 = 6.583 𝑚
At C = 6.583 − 4.7223 = 1.8607 𝑚
At D = 1.8607 − 1.5942 = 0.2665 𝑚
At E = 0.2665 − 0.088565 = 0.177935 𝑚

Q13. For the boundary layer flow over a smooth flat plate, find the (i) displacement thickness, (ii)
momentum thickness and (iii) energy thickness for the velocity distribution in the boundary layer
𝒖 𝟐𝒚𝟐
given by 𝑼 = 𝜹 , where ‘u’ is the velocity at a distance ‘y’ from the plate. u = U at y = , where  is
the boundary layer thickness and U is the free stream velocity. (3)

(i) Displacement thickness

𝛿
𝛿 𝑢 𝛿 2𝑦 2 2𝑦 3 2𝛿 2
𝛿 ∗ = ∫0 (1 − 𝑈) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 (1 − 𝛿
) 𝑑𝑦 = [𝑦 − 3𝛿
] =𝛿− 3
(1 mark)
0

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(ii) Momentum thickness
𝛿 𝛿
𝑢 𝑢 𝑢 𝑢2
𝜃 = ∫ [ (1 − )] 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ ( − 2 ) 𝑑𝑦
𝑈 𝑈 𝑈 𝑈
0 0
𝛿
𝛿 2𝑦 2 4𝑦 4 2𝑦 3 4𝑦 5 2𝛿3 4𝛿 5 2𝛿 2 4𝛿 3
𝜃 = ∫0 [ 𝛿
− 𝛿2
] 𝑑𝑦 = [ 3𝛿 − 5𝛿 2 ] = [ 3𝛿 − 5𝛿 2 ] = 3
− 5
(1 mark)
0
(iii) Energy thickness
𝛿 𝛿
∗∗
𝑢 𝑢2 𝑢 𝑢3
𝛿 = ∫ [ (1 − 2 )] 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ ( − 3 ) 𝑑𝑦
𝑈 𝑈 𝑈 𝑈
0 0
𝛿
𝛿 2𝑦 2 8𝑦 6 2𝑦 3 8𝑦 7 2𝛿 3 8𝛿 7 2𝛿 2 4𝛿 4
𝛿 ∗∗ = ∫0 [ − ] 𝑑𝑦 = [ 3𝛿 − 7𝛿 3 ] =[ − ] = − (1 mark)
𝛿 𝛿3 3𝛿 7𝛿 3 3 7
0

Q14. Water is flowing over a thin smooth plate of length 4 m and width 2 m at a velocity of 1 m/s.
The viscosity of water is 9.81 × 10-4 Ns/m2. If the boundary layer flow changes from laminar to
turbulent at a Reynold number 5 × 105,
(i) Determine the distance from leading edge up to which boundary layer is laminar.
(ii) Determine the boundary layer thickness, at the end of laminar region, as per Blasius solution.
(iii) Determine the average coefficient of drag, up to the end of laminar region, as per Blasius
solution.
(iv) Assuming the boundary layer is entirely turbulent, determine the boundary layer thickness at
the trailing edge, as per Blasius solution. (4)

(i) Distance from leading edge up to which boundary layer is laminar

(1 mark)

(1 mark)

(iii) Average coefficient of drag, up to the end of laminar region

(1 mark)

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(iv) Boundary layer thickness at the trailing edge
Reynold’s number for the entire length of the plate
𝜌𝑈𝑥 1000 × 1 × 4
𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = 4077.472 × 103
𝜇 9.81 × 10−4
where x = L = 4 m
Boundary layer thickness for turbulent flow

0.37×4
𝛿= = 0.0705 𝑚 = 70.5 𝑚𝑚 (1 mark)
(4077.472×103 )1/5

Q15. A flat plate 2 m x 2 m moves at 60 km/hour in stationary air of density 1.2 kg/m 3. If the
coefficients of drag and lift are 0.15 and 0.8 respectively, determine:
(i) The lift force,
(ii) The drag force
(iii) The power required to keep the plate in motion. (3)

1000
𝑈 = 60 × = 16.67 𝑚/𝑠
60 × 60
1 1
Lift force 𝐹𝐿 = 𝐶𝐿 × 𝐴 × 𝜌𝑈 2 = 0.8 × 4 × × 1.2 × 16.672 = 533.54 𝑁 (1 mark)
2 2

1 1
Drag force 𝐹𝐷 = 𝐶𝐷 × 𝐴 × 2 𝜌𝑈 2 = 0.15 × 4 × 2 × 1.2 × 16.672 = 100 𝑁 (1 mark)

Power required, P = FD  U = 100  16.67 = 1667 W (1 mark)

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