Basic Applications of Elementary Flows

1 Nonlifting ow over a cylinder

sin = V r sin 1 2 r 2V r2 R2 r2 If we combine a uniform ow with a doublet, we get the stream function = V r sin where R2 =
2V .

= V r sin 1

(1.1)

This is also the stream function for a ow over a cylinder/circle with radius R= . 2V (1.2)

The velocity eld can be found by using the stream function, and is given by Vr = V cos 1 R2 r2 , V = V sin 1 + R2 r2 . (1.3)

Note that if r = R, then Vr = 0, satisfying the wall boundary condition. At the wall also V = 2V sin . This means that the pressure coecient over the cylinder is given by Cp = 1 V V
2

= 1 4 sin2 .

(1.4)

Nonlifting ow over a sphere

. 2V

Lets combine a uniform 3-dimensional ow with a 3-dimensional doublet. Lets dene R as R=

3

(2.1)

Using the combined stream function, it can be shown that the velocity eld is given by Vr = V cos 1 R3 r3 , V = V sin 1 + R3 r3 , V = 0. (2.2)

3 At the wall, the velocity is V = 2 V sin . This means that the pressure coecient over the sphere is given by 2 V 9 (2.3) Cp = 1 = 1 sin2 . V 4

Lifting ow over a cylinder

Lets combine a nonlifting ow over a cylinder with a vortex of strength . This results in a lifting ow over a cylinder. The resulting stream function is = (V r sin ) 1 R2 r2 + r ln . 2 R (3.1)

From the stream function we can derive the velocity eld, which is given by Vr = V cos 1 R2 r2 , V = V sin 1 + 1 R2 r2 . 2r (3.2)

To nd the stagnation points, we simply have to set Vr and V to 0. If given by r = R, = arcsin . 4V R However, if
4V R

4V R

1, then the solution is (3.3)

1, then the solution is given by 4V 4V

2

r=

R2 ,

1 = . 2

(3.4)

At the surface of the cylinder (where r = R) is the velocity V = V . Using this, the pressure coecient can be calculated. The result is Cp = 1 2 sin + 2RV
2

(3.5)

Using this pressure coecient, the drag coecient can be found to be cd = 0. So there is no drag. Also, the lift coecient is cl = , (3.6) RV where R = 1 2 c. Now the lift per unit span L can be obtained from L = cl q c = 1 2 V 2R = V . RV 2 (3.7)

This equation is called the Kutta-Joukowski Theorem. It states that the lift per unit span is directly proportional to the circulation. It also works for shapes other than cylinders. However, for other shapes a complex distribution of sources and vortices may be necessary, as is the subject of the following paragraph.

Source Panel Method

The source panel technique is a numerical method to use elementary ows. Lets put a lot of sources along a curve with source strength per unit length = (s). Such a source distribution is called a source sheet. Note that can be positive at some points and negative in other points. Now look at an innitely small part of the source sheet. The source strength of this part is ds. So for any point P , the contribution of this small source sheet part to the velocity potential is d = ds ln r, 2 (4.1)

where r is the distance between the source sheet part and point P . The entire velocity potential can be obtained by integrating, which simply gives
b

=
a

ds ln r. 2

(4.2)

In the source panel method, usually an airfoil (or an other shape) is split up in a number of small straight lines for which the velocity potential is separately calculated and the boundary conditions are separately applied.