FLUID MECHANICS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

Answers: Example Sheet 5

(1) Plane Poiseuille Flow: Consider the flow between two infinitely wide plates, driven
by a pressure gradient, as shown in Fig. 1. ‘b’ is the width of the element of fluid consider
in the ‘z’ direction.

τ
R

y’ p p+ δp
y δx
Fig. 1 x
(a) Use the suggested fluid element to show that the velocity profile for laminar flow
is given by :
1 ⎛ dp ⎞
u ( y) = ⎜ − ⎟ ( 2 Ry − y )
2
(1.1)
2µ ⎝ dx ⎠

Force balance : p 2 y ' b = 2τ bδx + ( p + δp )2 y ' b

⎛ dp ⎞
Re-arrange : τ = ⎜ − ⎟ y ' with y’=R–y
⎝ dx ⎠
du
Newton law for the viscosity : τ = µ
dy
du 1 ⎛ dp ⎞
So : = ⎜ − ⎟(R − y)
dy µ ⎝ dx ⎠
1 ⎛ dp ⎞ ⎛ y2 ⎞
After integration (y): u = ⎜ − ⎟ ⎜ Ry − ⎟ + C
µ ⎝ dx ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
The boundary conditions give : u=0 at y=0 and at y=2R
So C=0
1 ⎛ dp ⎞
Then : u ( y ) = ⎜ − ⎟ ( 2 Ry − y )
2

2µ ⎝ dx ⎠

Write down the maximum velocity u max in the pipe.

The maximum velocity occurs when du/dy change sign, ie y=R

R 2 ⎛ dp ⎞
So : umax = ⎜− ⎟
2 µ ⎝ dx ⎠
 (b) By first evaluating the volumetric flow rate in the duct, show that the mean
velocity is given by um= 2umax/3. Compare the present results for um and umax with
those found for Poiseuille flow in a pipe with circular cross-section, ie. (from the
notes):

R 2 ⎛ dp ⎞ R 2 ⎛ dp ⎞
um = ⎜− ⎟ umax = ⎜− ⎟
8µ ⎝ dx ⎠ 4 µ ⎝ dx ⎠

2R
Volumetric flow rate : Q = ∫ u ( y ) bdy
0

b ⎛ dp ⎞ 2 R
⎜ − ⎟ ( 2 Ry − y )dy
2µ ⎝ dx ⎠ ∫0
= 2

2R
b ⎛ dp ⎞ ⎡ 2 y 3 ⎤
= ⎜ − ⎟ Ry − ⎥
2µ ⎝ dx ⎠ ⎢⎣ 3 ⎦0
2bR 3 ⎛ dp ⎞
= ⎜− ⎟
3µ ⎝ dx ⎠

Mean velocity : Q = 2 Rbum

R 2 ⎛ dp ⎞
So : um = ⎜− ⎟
3µ ⎝ dx ⎠

And then using umax for question (1a) : um= 2umax/3.

Is the difference reasonable ?

The effect of viscosity is greater in the circular-pipe case yielding lower speeds

(c) Compute (i) the wall shear stress (Use y’ instead of y).

The wall shear follows from the definition of a Newtonian fluid :

⎛ ∂u ∂v ⎞ ∂ ⎡⎛ ∂p ⎞ ⎛ R 2 ⎞ ⎛ y '2 ⎞ ⎤
τ w = τ xy wall = µ ⎜ + ⎟ =µ ⎢⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜1 − 2 ⎟ ⎥
⎝ ∂y ' ∂x ⎠ y '=± R ∂y ' ⎣⎝ ∂x ⎠ ⎝ 2 µ ⎠ ⎝ R ⎠⎦
y '=± R

dp 2 µumax
=± R=±
dx h

The wall shear has the same magnitude at each wall, but by our sign convention, the upper
wall has negative shear stress.
 (ii) the stream function

Since the flow is plane, steady, and incompressible a stream function exists:
∂Ψ ⎛ y '2 ⎞ ∂Ψ
u= = umax ⎜ 1 − 2 ⎟ v=− =0
∂y ⎝ R ⎠ ∂x

Integrating and setting ψ=0 at the centerline for convenience, we obtain

⎛ y '3 ⎞
Ψ = umax ⎜ y − 2 ⎟
⎝ 3R ⎠

At the walls, y’= ± R and ψ= ±2umaxR/3 respectively.

(iii) the vorticity

In plane flow, there is only a single nonzero vorticity component:

δ v δ u 2umax
ζ z = ( curl V ) z = − = y'
δx δ y' R2

The vorticity is highest at the wall and is positive (counterclockwise) in the upper half
and negative (clockwise) in the lower half of the fluid. Viscous flows are typically full
of vorticity and are not at all irrotational.

(iv) the velocity potential

From part (iii), the vorticity is finite. Therefore the flow is not irrotational, and the
velocity potential does not exist.

(v) the average velocity

The average velocity is defined as Vav = Q/A, where Q = ∫ u dA over the cross section.
For our particular distribution u(y) from Eq. (1), we obtain :
1 1 R ⎛ y '2 ⎞ 2
Vav = ∫ u dA = ∫ u max ⎜ 1 − 2 ⎟
bdy ' = umax
A 2 Rb − R
⎝ R ⎠ 3

In plane Poiseuille flow between parallel, plates, the average velocity is two-thirds of
the maximum (or centerline) value. This result could also have been obtained from the.
stream function derived in part (ii). From Eq. (4.95) :
2u R ⎛ 2u R ⎞ 4
Qchannel = Ψ upper − Ψ lower = max − ⎜ − max ⎟ = umax R per unit width
3 ⎝ 3 ⎠ 3

whence Vav = q / Ab =1 = ( 4 Rumax / 3) / 2 R = 2umax / 3 , the same result.

This example illustrates a statement made earlier: Knowledge of the velocity vector V
[as in Eq. 1] is essentially the solution to a fluid-mechanics problem, since all other
flow properties can then be calculated.
(2) Laminar flow exists in the inclined pipe shown in Fig. 2a. The flow is
“downhill” being driven by both the gravitational force and an applied pressure
gradient, dp/dx, along the length of the pipe. z is an upward coordinate whilst x is
a coordinate along the pipe centerline.

(a) By considering the suggested fluid element in Fig. 2a, show that the velocity
profile is given by:

1 ⎛ d ⎞ 2 2
u (r ) = ⎜ − ( p + ρ gz ) ⎟ ( R − r )
4µ ⎝ dx ⎠

x
r
R

δx

Fig. 2a
θ

Force balance in x-direction : π r 2 p + mg sin θ = τ 2π rδ x + ( p + δ p ) π r 2

Or m, the mass of the element is : m = ρπ r 2δ x
dz
Also sin θ = − (‘downhill’ => negative gradient)
dx
dp
And ∂p = ∂x
dx
After substitution in the force balance equation :
r⎛ dz dp ⎞ ⎛ d ⎞r
τ = − ⎜ ρ g + ⎟ = ⎜ − ( ρ gz + p ) ⎟
2⎝ dx dx ⎠ ⎝ dx ⎠2
du du
Newton law for the viscosity : τ = µ = −µ (r is in the opposite direction to y)
dy dr
du ⎛ d ⎞ r
So : = − ⎜ − ( ρ gz + p ) ⎟
dr ⎝ dx ⎠ 2µ
After integration and with the boundaries conditions u=0 at r=R :
1 ⎛ d ⎞ 2 2
u (r ) = ⎜ − ( ρ gz + p ) ⎟ ( R − r ) (1.2)
4µ ⎝ dx ⎠
 (b) ρ = 9 1 7 k g / m 3 ) f e e d s t h e f l o w i n an inclined pipe as shown in Fig. 2b.
Given that h = 3.0 m, z0=0.5m, xo = 1.0m and R = 0.01m, find the maximum flow
velocity Umax in the pipe.
[ANS. 2.71 m/s]

A x0

z0
Fig. 2b
B

Pressure in A : p A = p Atm + ρ gh
dp
Pressure in B : pB = p Atm = p A + ρ gz0 + x0
dx
⎛ dp ⎞ ρ gh + ρ gz0
So the pressure gradient is : ⎜ − ⎟ =
⎝ dx ⎠ x0
dp dp∗
Also if p* = p + ρ gz then =
dx dx
Then, knowing that the maximum of velocity is at r =0 and using equation (1.2) :
1 ⎛ ρ gh + ρ gz0 ⎞ 2
umax = u ( 0 ) = ⎜ ⎟ R = 2.711 m/s
4µ ⎝ x0 ⎠

(c) Show that the volumetric flow rate through the pipe, Q, is given by:
π R4 ⎛ d ⎞
Q= ⎜ − ( p + ρ gz ) ⎟
8µ ⎝ dx ⎠

Q = ∫ u ( r ) 2π r ∂r
R

π ⎛ dp* ⎞ R 2
2 µ ⎝ dx ⎠ ∫0
Then using equation (1.2) : Q = ⎜− ⎟ R r − r dr
3

R
π ⎛ dp* ⎞ ⎡ R 2 r 2 r 4 ⎤
= ⎜− ⎟ − ⎥
2µ ⎝ dx ⎠ ⎣⎢ 2 4 ⎦0
π R4 ⎛ d ⎞
= ⎜ − ( p + ρ gz ) ⎟
8µ ⎝ dx ⎠
 Hence determine the mean velocity and confirm that the flow is, indeed, laminar
[ANS. 1.36 m/s]
Mean velocity : Q = π R um
2

R2 π ⎛ d ⎞ 1
Thus : u m = ⎜ − ( p + ρgz )⎟ = u max = 1.356 m s
8 µ ⎝ dx ⎠ 2
ρu D
And then : Re D = m = 86 2000 so the flow is laminar.
µ

(3) Kerosine (µ=0.00192Ns/m2, ρ =804kg/m3) flows in a horizontal pipe of diameter 2.0cm

and length 5.0m. The volumetric flow rate, Q is 0.754 liters/s
(a) Calculate the Reynolds number of the flow.

π D 2um
Mean velocity : as Q = , so um = 2.4 m/s
4
ρ um D
Reynolds number : Re D = = 20000 the flow is turbulent
µ

(b) Using the index laws for velocity profile, calculate the flow speed at the pipe
centerline.

From table in notes, choose n=6.6 for this Reynolds number.

umax =
( n + 1)( 2n + 1) u = 2.97 m/s
2n 2
m

(c) Use the Blasius equation to calculate the coefficient of friction and hence the shear
stress at the wall for this flow.

The Blasius equation is applicable at this Reynolds number:

τ 0.0395
C f = w2 = = 3.322 × 10−3
ρ um Re1D4
So : τ w = 15.38 Pa

(d) Calculate the pressure head loss for the 5 m length of pipe.

⎛ dp ⎞ r
To find the pressure loss, first find the pressure gradient: τ = ⎜ − ⎟
⎝ dx ⎠ 2
Also at the wall r = D 2 : τ = τ w
⎛ dp ⎞ 4τ
So : ⎜ − ⎟ = w = 3076 Pa/m
⎝ dx ⎠ D
⎛ dp ⎞ ∆p
This is the pressure loss per unit length, ie ⎜ − ⎟ = −
⎝ dx ⎠ L
Pressure loss for L : ∆p = L × 3076 = 15380 Pa
Equivalent head loss : ∆p = ρ g ∆h then ∆h = ∆p ρ g = 1.95 m
 (e) Calculate the (output) power of a pump needed to drive this flow.
[ANS. (a) 20,000, (b) 2.97m/s, (c) 3.322x10-3, (d) 1.95m, (e) 11.6W]

d
P = Q∆p = 11.6 W since P = Q ρ g ∆h = mg
& ∆h = ( mg ∆h )
dt

(4) For the same flow as described in Question (3), use the logarithmic law to calculate the
coefficient of friction.

Logarithmic law for Cf:

1
Cf
(
= 5.7 log Re C f + 0.3 )
1
Or C f = and Re=20000 from question 4.
(5.7 log ( Re ) )
2
C f + 0.3
The above equation is difficult to solve (for Cf) because we can’t write Cf explicitly. So use a
iterative (numerical) method : Call the ‘present’ estimate C f n . Then an improve estimate will
1
be C f n+1 , where: C fn+1 =
(5.7 log ( Re ) )
2
C fn + 0.3

1
To get the method going, assume that C f n+1 ≈ and then :
( 0 + 0.3)
2

n C fn (*10-3) C fn+1 (*10-3)

1 / 11110
2 11110 1.294
3 1.294 3.635
4 3.635 3.134
5 3.134 3.199
6 3.199 3.190
7 3.190 3.191
8 3.191 3.191

To this degree of accuracy, we can expect no further improvement with further value of n (i.e
the result has converged to the solution of the equation) : Cf = 3.191*10-3

Compare this with the answer for cf found using the index law in question (3c).

Acceptable correlation with Blasius method

Calculate the friction velocity V* for the flow and hence the flow speed at the centerline
using the logarithmic law for the velocity profile. Compare this with the answer to (3b).
[ANS. V*=2.841m/s, Umax=2.936m/s]

2
τ τ V*
As V = w and C f = w2 , so : C f = 2
*

ρ ρ um um
Then : V * = C f .um
From question (3a), um = 2.4 m/s so V * = 0.138 m/s
u ⎛V*y ⎞
Logarithmic law for velocity profile: = 5.5log ⎜ ⎟ + 5.4 (1.3)
V* ⎝ ν ⎠

At the centerline (y=D/2), the velocity is maximum. Then using V* from above and ν from
question (3), we obtain : umax = 2.841 m/s

The index law of question (3b) gave umax = 2.97 m/s . We know that the logarithmic law
suggested that near the pipe center. In the notes/lectures it was suggested that the
multiplicative constant 5.5 be replaced by 5.75. If this is done in equation (1.3) then we
find that umax = 2.936 m/s . This last result is in better agreement with the index-law result.

(5) The pipe used in Questions (3) and (4) is now discovered to have rough walls. The
equivalent sand-grain roughness size, ks, is 1.0 mm.
(a) Assuming the pipe wall to be completely rough calculate the new coefficient of
friction.

1
Cf = 2
= 9.157 × 10−3 with R=D/2
⎛ ⎛ ⎞ ⎞
⎜ 5.7 log ⎜ R k ⎟ + 4.75 ⎟
⎝ ⎝ s⎠ ⎠

(b) By first calculating the friction velocity, V*, verify that we are justified in making the
completely rough assumption.

V * = C f .um = 0.230 m/s

k sV *
Then = 96.1
ν
k sV *
The completely rough assumption require > 100 . This is ‘almost’ completely rough !
ν
 (c) Using the value for the coefficient of friction found in part (5a), calculate the
pressure head loss for the 5m length of pipe. Compare this answer with that of
Question (3d) pertaining to the hydraulically smooth pipe assumption.
[ANS. (a) 9.157x10-3, (b) V*=0.230m/s, (c) 5.38m]

⎛ dp ⎞ r
We know that : τ = ⎜ − ⎟
⎝ dx ⎠ 2
Also at the wall r = D 2 : τ = τ w
⎛ dp ⎞ 4τ w 4C f ρ um
2

⎜− ⎟ = = = 8481.3 Pa/m
⎝ dx ⎠ D D
⎛ dp ⎞ ∆p
This is the pressure loss per unit length, ie ⎜ − ⎟ = −
⎝ dx ⎠ L
Pressure loss for L : ∆p = L × 8485.3 = 42407 Pa with L=5 m
Equivalent head loss : ∆p = ρ g ∆h then ∆h = ∆p ρ g = 5.38 m

(6) Make use of the Moody chart (Fig. 7.11 in the notes) to determine the head loss due
to friction when water flows through 300m of 150mm diameter galvanized steel pipe at
50 liters/s. Take the kinematic viscosity to be 1.14mm2/s.
[ANS. 16.7m]
π D 2um
Mean velocity : as Q = , so um = 2.83 m/s
4
um D 2.83 × 0.15
Re D = = = 3.72 ×105
ν 1.14 × 10 −6

Properties of the galvanized steel is founded in the Moody chart – roughness table :
k s = 0.15 mm so k s D = 0.001
∆h
Then f = = 0.0205
L um2
.
D 2g
300 2.832
So the head loss is : ∆h = 0.0205 × × = 16.7 m
0.15 2 × 9.81

(7) Using the Moody chart, determine the diameter of galvanized steel pipe needed to
carry water (µ= 10-3Ns/m2, ρ= 103kg/m3) a distance of 180m at 85liter/s with a head
loss of 9m. [ANS. 0.2 m]

π D 2um 0.108
First Q = so um =
4 D2
um D 0.108 × 106 ∆h k 0.00015
Then : (i) Re D = = (ii) f = = 84.1D 5 (iii) s =
ν D L um2
D D
.
D 2g
We have to find D so that these three equations are verified (Moody chart). We use a
trial error method to solve these equations.
Guess for D ReD (*106) ks D f (Moody) f D5 Check solution
0.1 1.08 0.0015 0.0215 2150 D is too small
0.2 0.54 0.00075 0.0185 57.8 D is too large
0.18 0.6 0.00833 0.0192 101.6 D is too small

We can deduce that D=0.19 m from the statistic above. In pratice we would chose larger
available size, i.e. D=0.2 m.

(8) A simple hydraulic system is illustrated in Fig. 8a. It consists of a large reservoir
and a horizontal pipeline 200m long discharging to atmosphere through a valve. The
first 120m of pipe connected to the reservoir has a diameter of 200 mm. The remainder
of the pipeline has a diameter of 250mm. Galvanized steel is used throughout as the
pipe material. The pipeline is connected to the reservoir at a point 8m below the water
surface, Formulae for head losses due to sudden changes in pipe diameter are given in
Fig. 8b.

If the valve is set to discharge 0.1 m3/s of Water (µ=10-3Ns/m2, ρ=103kg/m3) plot, to
scale, the hydraulic and energy gradelines (ie. the variations of piezometric and total
heads) for the pipe-line.

8m 200mm 250mm

120m 80m
Fig. 8a
u2 ⎛ ⎛ d ⎞ ⎞
2

Fig. 8b (i) Head loss due to sudden enlargement : ∆h = 1 ⎜ 1 − ⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎟

2 g ⎜ ⎝ d2 ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
2
ku
(ii) Head loss due to sudden contraction : ∆h = 2 where k verified :
2g
d2/d1 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
k 0.5 0.45 0.38 0.28 0.14 0

(i) (ii)
Work from pipe entry A toward valve V:

- Losses in the entry of pipe A:

d 2 0.2
= = 0 so k=0.5
d1 ∞
4Q k s u22 u A2
uA = = 3.18 m/s then ∆h = = = 0.258 m
π DA2 2g 4g

- Losses in the pipe A:

u A DA
Re DA = = 636000
ν
ks
Then k s = 0.00015 m so= 0.00075
DA
∆h
Then in Moody chart we find : f = = 0.019 so ∆h = 5.88 m
L u A2
.
DA 2 g
u A2
The dynamic head is = 0.515 m
2g

- Losses in the entry of pipe B:

u A2 ⎛ ⎛ DA ⎞ ⎞
2

∆h = ⎜1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎟ = 0.186 m
2 g ⎜ ⎝ DB ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

- Losses in the pipe B:

4Q u D k
uB = = 2.04 m/s so Re DB = B B = 509000 and s = 0.0006
π DB2
ν DB
∆h
Then in Moody chart we find : f = = 0.0182 so ∆h = 1.235 m
L uB2
.
DB 2 g
uB2
The dynamic head is = 0.212 m
2g
(9) A single uniform joins two reservoirs of fluid as shown in Fig. 9a. Calculate the
percentage increase of flow rate obtainable if, from the mid-point of this pipe, another
of the same diameter is added in parallel to it as shown in Fig 9b. Neglect all losses
except pipe friction and assume a constant and equal f for both pipes.
[ANS. 26.5 %]
D

Fig. 9a L
L/2 L/2
D
D

D
Fig. 9b
τw
Cf =
1 2
ρ um
2
⎛ dp ⎞ D ∆p D
The balance force on the fluid element gives: τ w = ⎜ − ⎟ =
⎝ dx ⎠ 4 L 4
D ∆p
Combining above equations gives that: um2 =
2ρC f L

Cases of figure 9a:

D ∆p A LρC f
um = ua , ∆p = ∆p A , L=L so u A2 = and ∆p A = 2u A2
2ρC f L D
Cases of figure 9b:
1st half with a single pipe : um = uB ' , ∆p = ∆pB ' , L=L/2
D ∆pB ' LρC f 2
so u B2 ' = and ∆pB ' = uB '
ρC f L D

1
2nd half with double pipe : um = uB '' = uB ' , ∆p = ∆pB '' , L=L/2
2
D ∆pB '' LρC f 2
so u B2 '' = and ∆pB '' = uB ''
ρC f L D

But the pressure charge is the same for both cases (a) and (b):
Lρ C f Lρ C f ⎛ 2 1 2 ⎞ 5 2 8
∆p A = ∆pB ' + ∆pB '' ⇔ 2u A2 = ⎜ u B ' + u B ' ⎟ ⇔ 2u A = uB '
2
⇔ uB ' = uA
D D ⎝ 4 ⎠ 4 5
π D 2u A π D 2u B ' 8
Also QA = and QB ' = then QB ' = QA = 1.265QA
4 4 5
Moody diagram :