National University of Singapore

Bachelor of Technology
ME2135E -Fluid Mechanics II

Tutorial Sheet 2 (Potential Flow)

(1) For the following flow fields, sketch the streamline pattern, derive the stream function
, the vorticity and state whether the flow field is rotational or irrotational.

(a) u =4, v =3x

(b) u =4y, v =4x

(c) u' =c/r, v' =0

(d) u' =0, v' =c/r

Note: In Polar coordinates, the vorticity is given by






(2) Repeat Question (1) and determine the velocity potential (if any) for each of the flow field.





(3) A tornado may be idealized as a potential vortex with a rotational "eye" or core which behaves
approximately as a solid body. A rough rule of thumb is that the radius of the eye is of the
order of 30m.

How does the pressure vary along the ground around the "eye"? For a tornado with a
maximum wind velocity of 50 m/s, what is the maximum drop in pressure? This under
pressure is partly responsible for the lifting of roofs and of the damage inflicted by tornadoes.

[-1500 N/m
2
]



(4) A sink of strength of 20 m
2
/s is situated 3 m upstream of a source of 40 m
2
/s, in a uniform
irrotational stream. It is found that at the point 2.5 m equidistant from source and sink, the
local velocity is normal to the line joining the source and sink. Find the velocity at this point and
the velocity of the undisturbed stream.

[v =1.02 m/s; U

=2.29 m/s]


(5) An incompressible flow is characterized by the stream function

=3x
2
y y
3


(a) Show that this flow is irrotational.
=
1
r
o
or
(r:) -
1
r
ou
i
o0
.
|(a) = -
Sx
2
2
+ 4y, iotational; (b) = -2x
2
+ 2y
2
, iiiotational; (c) = C0,
iiiotataional; (u) = -ln r, iiiotational]
|(a) uoes not exist; (b) = 4xy; (c) = Cln r; (u) = C0]

(b) Show that the magnitude of the velocity at any point in this flow depends only on its distance
from the origin of co-ordinates.

(c) Sketch a few streamlines for this flow in the quadrant x >0, y >0,

(d) Determine the potential function for this flow and show that the lines of constant and are
orthogonal.


(6) A two dimensional vortex of circulation r moves under its own induction in a region bounded
by a solid wall on the positive x axis and a solid wall on the positive y axis. At certain instant
the vortex centre is at the point (h, h). Find the velocity distribution along either wall and the
velocity induced at the vortex centre.






(7) A positive line vortex K is trapped in a corner, as shown in Figure below. Compute the total induced
velocity at point B (x,y) =(2a, a), and compare with the induced velocity when no walls are present.
|velocity uistiibution =
b
n
_
1
b
2
+ (x - b)
2
-
1
b
2
+ (x + b)
2
_,Inuuceu velocity =

42nb
at 1SS]
K
B
y
2a
a
0 2a
a x