ME 5440 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics

Homework 5
Due Monday December 12th, 2016

Problem 1 (25 points)

Consider the steady-state flow between two rotating concentric cylinders in the absence of
any body forces. The radii of the two cylinders are R1 and R2 respectively and are rotating at
angular velocities 1 and 2.

1. Starting from the 2D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical

2.
3.
4.
5.

coordinates, (see attached equation sheet) simplify the equations and determine the
appropriate boundary conditions required to solve the equations. Note that in this
case we can assume there is no change in the azimuthal () direction. The results
should include a mass conservation equation, a radial momentum equation, and an
azimuthal momentum equation.
Looking at the radial momentum equation, explain what causes the pressure gradient.
Solve for the azimuthal velocity as a function of radius u(r)
Examine the limiting case 1=2. What motion is described by this flowfield ?
Examine the limiting case R2 >>1 and 2=0. What flow field does this correspond to?

Problem 2 (25 points)

Consider flow over a porous plate with suction. The suction velocity at the plate surface is
v=-V (i.e downwards with magnitude V). The flow above the plate is such that the
horizontal velocity is constant in the x direction.
Derive the equations of motion (conservation of mass and momentum) for this flow starting
with the 2D steady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and state the boundary
conditions at the plate and far away from the plate where the flow is uniform in the xdirection with velocity U.
Integrate the x-momentum equation to obtain the solution of u as a function of y, and
evaluate all constants of integration using the boundary conditions.

Problem 3 (25 points)

Non-dimensionalize the 2D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with zero pressure
gradient and no body forces using a single velocity scale U and a single length scale L. Note
that the remaining terms such as time must also be non-dimensionalized without introducing
any additional reference values. Obtain the non-dimensional equations in term of a Reynolds
number. Discuss what a reasonable simplification of the Navier-Stokes equations would
look like for very low Reynolds number flows (i.e. Re << 1).

Problem 4 (25 points)

1. Using the attached table for the Blasius function F() obtain a value for v at the edge
of the boundary layer, ie at y=. Explain why is this value non-zero.

2. If the freestream velocity is 10m/sec, the density is 1000 kg/m3, and the kinematic

viscosity of the fluid is 1.787x10-6 m2/s, at what distance above the plate does the
velocity achieve half of the freestream velocity 1m downstream of the plate leading
edge ? How does this y location change as one travels down the plate ?

3. Calculate the skin friction coefficient at the 1m location on the plate, and the total
drag force for a plate of 1m and 2m.

4. Instead of the Blasius profile, the actual velocity profile in the boundary layer is
1

u y 7
, where is the boundary layer thickness. This expression
measured to be:
U
holds for y< and for y> , u=U. Derive an expression for the boundary layer
displacement thickness *

Problem 5 (10 points)

1. Derive the Reynolds-averaged mass conservation equation for compressible turbulent
flow by writing the density and velocity variables as the sum of a mean and
fluctuating component.

2. Obtain an equation for the extra term by subtracting the time averaged equation from
the instantaneous (non-averaged) equation.