FLUID MECHANICS

For Newtonian fluids, the viscosity is constant, so the shear stress is

also proportional to the shear rate, so the relationship between shear
Fluid mechanics is the study of the behavior of fluids, both liquids and
gases, either in motion (fluid dynamics) or at rest (fluid statics). Both rate and shear stress is linear.
liquids and gases are classified as fluids. Fluid mechanics has a wide
However, for non-Newtonian fluids, the viscosity can change with
range of applications in engineering, physics, and other sciences.
shear rate. This is known as shear thinning or shear thickening
behavior. This means that the relationship between shear rate and shear
What is a fluid?
stress can be non-linear.

A fluid is a substance that can flow. Fluids are characterized by their

Shear rate
inability to resist shear stress. This means that fluids will deform
continuously when subjected to a shear stress, even if the stress is very
Shear rate is the rate at which one layer of fluid passes over an
small. This contrasts with solids, which can only deform elastically under
adjacent layer. It is a measure of the deformation of the fluid and
shear stress.
is often used to characterize the behavior of fluids in various industrial
and engineering applications. It is typically measured in reciprocal
Why is fluid mechanics important?
seconds (s-1).

Fluid mechanics is important because fluids are ubiquitous (synonym:

everywhere, universal) in nature and technology. Fluids play a vital role One way to visualize shear rate is to imagine two parallel plates
in many natural phenomena, such as weather patterns, ocean currents, separated by a fluid. If the top plate is moved parallel to the bottom
and blood flow. Fluid mechanics is also essential for the design and plate, the fluid will be sheared. The shear rate is the rate at which
operation of many engineering devices, such as airplanes, cars, and one layer of fluid moves past another. The faster the top plate is
power plants. moved, the higher the shear rate.

Basic Concepts of Fluid Mechanics

There are a few basic concepts that are essential to understanding fluid
mechanics:

▪ Mass density: Mass density is the mass of a fluid per unit volume.
It is typically measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m 3). Shear stress and shear rate are both important properties of fluids that
can affect their behavior in a variety of situations. For example, shear
▪ Pressure: Pressure is the force exerted by a fluid per unit area. It stress can cause fluids to flow, and shear rate can affect the
is typically measured in pascals (Pa). viscosity of fluids.

▪ Velocity: Velocity is the rate of change of position of a fluid particle. For example, fluids with high viscosity, such as honey, are more
It is typically measured in meters per second (m/s). resistant to flow than fluids with low viscosity, such as water. Another
example, the viscosity of a shear-thinning fluid decreases as the
▪ Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of the fluid’s resistance to flow. It shear rate increases. This means that a shear-thinning fluid will flow
is typically measured in pascal-seconds (Pa-s) or centipoise. more easily at high shear rates than at low shear rates, i.e., a shear-
thinning fluid is less viscous (low viscosity) at high shear rates.
Newton’s Law of Viscosity: Shear Rate and Shear Stress
Relationship Here are some more examples of how shear stress and shear rate are
related:
Shear rate and shear stress are two related concepts in fluid mechanics.
▪ When you squeeze ketchup out of a bottle, the shear stress from
▪ Shear rate is the rate of change in velocity at which one layer of your hand causes the ketchup to flow. The shear rate of the
fluid passes over an adjacent layer. ketchup flow is determined by how fast you are squeezing the
bottle.
▪ Shear stress is the force per unit area that acts parallel to the
interface between two layers of fluid. ▪ When blood flows through a vein, the shear stress from the blood
vessel walls causes the blood to flow. The shear rate of the blood
The relationship between shear rate and shear stress is given by the flow is determined by the diameter of the vein and the velocity of
following equation: the blood.
τ = ηγ
▪ In polymer processing, shear stress is used to mix and shape
where:
τ is the shear stress (in Pa) polymers. The shear rate of the polymer flow determines the
η is the viscosity of the fluid (in Pa·s) properties of the final product.
γ is the shear rate (in s⁻¹)
▪ In paint spraying, shear stress is used to atomize the paint and
This equation is known as Newton's law of viscosity. It states that create a fine spray. The shear rate of the paint flow determines the
the shear stress is proportional to the shear rate for Newtonian quality of the spray finish.
fluids.
ENS165 | AY23-24/1S | Fluid Mechanics | KMSAM Sep2023
Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids Fundamental equations of fluid mechanics

As mentioned above, fluids are categorized into two according to their There are three fundamental equations that govern the behavior of
viscosity: fluids:

1. Newtonian fluids have a constant viscosity at a given ▪ The continuity equation: The continuity equation expresses the
temperature and pressure. This means that the resistance of a conservation of mass. It states that the mass of fluid entering a
Newtonian fluid to flow is the same regardless of the shear stress region must equal the mass of fluid leaving the region.
applied. Examples of Newtonian fluids are water, milk, and honey.
▪ The momentum equation: The momentum equation expresses
2. Non-Newtonian fluids have a viscosity that changes the conservation of momentum. It states that the net force acting
depending on the shear stress applied. This means that the on a fluid particle must equal the rate of change of momentum of
resistance of a non-Newtonian fluid to flow can vary depending on the particle.
how quickly it is being stirred, poured, or otherwise stressed.
Examples of non-Newtonian fluids include ketchup, toothpaste, and
▪ The energy equation: The energy equation expresses the
quicksand.
conservation of energy. It states that the net energy entering a
region must equal the net energy leaving the region, plus the work
Non-Newtonian fluids can be further categorized into the following
done by the fluid and the heat added to the fluid.
types:

Applications of fluid mechanics

▪ Shear-thickening fluids: These fluids become more viscous
as the shear stress increases. Examples of shear-thickening Fluid mechanics has a wide range of applications in engineering, physics,
fluids include cornstarch and quicksand. and other sciences. Some examples include:

▪ Shear-thinning fluids: These fluids become less viscous as

the shear stress increases. Examples of shear-thinning fluids ▪ Aerospace engineering: Fluid mechanics is used to design
include ketchup, toothpaste, and paint. airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.

▪ Bingham plastic fluids: These fluids require a minimum ▪ Automotive engineering: Fluid mechanics is used to design
shear stress, called the yield stress, before they will begin to cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
flow. Examples of Bingham plastic fluids include mayonnaise
and toothpaste.
▪ Civil engineering: Fluid mechanics is used to design dams,
bridges, and other civil engineering structures.
▪ Viscoelastic fluids: These fluids exhibit both elastic and
viscous properties. Examples of viscoelastic fluids include
▪ Mechanical engineering: Fluid mechanics is used to design
pumps, turbines, and other mechanical devices.
blood and slime.
▪ Chemical engineering: Fluid mechanics is used to design
FLUID STATICS reactors, separators, and other chemical engineering equipment.

Fluid statics is the study of fluids at rest. In fluid statics, the pressure ▪ Environmental engineering: Fluid mechanics is used to design
within a fluid is governed by Pascal's law, which states that pressure is water and wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control
transmitted equally in all directions throughout a fluid. Fluid statics also systems, and other environmental engineering systems.
deals with the concepts of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure.

Examples of fluid mechanics in everyday life

FLUID DYNAMICS

Fluid dynamics is the study of fluids in motion. Fluid dynamics is a ▪ The lift that allows airplanes to fly is generated by the flow of air
complex subject that encompasses a wide range of topics, including: over and under the wings.

▪ The drag that makes it difficult to swim or walk through water is

▪ Flow: Flow can be classified as laminar or turbulent. Laminar flow
due to the viscosity of the water.
is characterized by smooth, orderly layers of fluid. Turbulent flow
is characterized by chaotic, swirling motion. ▪ The waves that crash on the beach are formed by the interaction
of the wind and the ocean currents.
▪ Forces: There are two main forces that act on fluids: pressure
forces and viscous forces. Pressure forces are due to the normal ▪ The weather patterns that we experience are driven by the flow of
pressure of the fluid. Viscous forces are due to the friction between air and water around the globe.
layers of the fluid.
Fluid mechanics is a vast and complex subject, but it is also one of the
▪ Conservation laws: Fluid dynamics is governed by several most important and fundamental subjects in engineering and science.
conservation laws, including conservation of mass, momentum, By understanding the principles of fluid mechanics, we can design and
and energy. analyze a wide range of systems and devices, from airplanes to ships to
chemical reactors.

ENS165 | AY23-24/1S | Fluid Mechanics | KMSAM Sep2023