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Stream Function and Velocity Potential Function

This document discusses key concepts in fluid kinematics including types of fluid flow (steady, unsteady, uniform, non-uniform), the continuity equation, rotational and irrotational flow, acceleration of fluid flow, and the velocity potential function and stream function. It provides examples for different combinations of steady/unsteady and uniform/non-uniform flow, such as steady uniform flow through a constant diameter pipe and unsteady non-uniform flow through a tapering diameter pipe with varying discharge.

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Farooq Shah
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
75 views

Stream Function and Velocity Potential Function

This document discusses key concepts in fluid kinematics including types of fluid flow (steady, unsteady, uniform, non-uniform), the continuity equation, rotational and irrotational flow, acceleration of fluid flow, and the velocity potential function and stream function. It provides examples for different combinations of steady/unsteady and uniform/non-uniform flow, such as steady uniform flow through a constant diameter pipe and unsteady non-uniform flow through a tapering diameter pipe with varying discharge.

Uploaded by

Farooq Shah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fluid Kinematics | Velocity

Potential Function and Stream


Function
Fluid kinematics deals with the behavior of fluid motion without considering the forces
causing the motion. Total fluid mass is considered instead of a single fluid particle for
analysis i.e., the Eulerian method is used.

Types of Fluid Flow

We have already covered various types of fluid flow such as steady flow, unsteady flow,
uniform flow, and nonuniform flow in our types of open channel flow blog. Here, we will
discuss combinations of these types of flow along with examples.

Steady Flow

At a given section, fluid characteristics like velocity and density don't change with time. Flow
through a constant diameter pipe is a good example.

∂V/∂t = 0, ∂Q/∂t = 0

Uniform Flow

At a given time, fluid characteristics like velocity and density don't change with space.

∂y/∂S = 0, ∂V/∂S = 0

Steady Uniform FLow

Example: Flow through a constant diameter pipe with constant discharge

Reason: As the discharge is constant, the velocity remains the same at a given section over
time i.e., steady flow. Also, as the area of flow is constant, at a given time, the velocity
between any two sections will remain constant i.e., uniform flow.
Steady Non-Uniform Flow

Example: Flow through a tapering diameter pipe at a constant rate.

Reason: As the discharge is constant, the velocity remains the same at a given section over
time i.e., steady flow. But, as the pipe is tapered, the cross-sectional area decreases thereby
increasing the velocity over distance. Therefore, at a given time, the velocity between two
sections changes ie., non-uniform flow.

Unsteady Uniform Flow

Example: Fluid flow through a constant diameter pipe with varying discharge.

Reason: As the discharge changes, the velocity at a given section changes over time i.e.,
unsteady flow. But, as the area of flow is constant, at a given time, the velocity between any
two sections will remain constant i.e., uniform flow.
Unsteady Non-Unifrom Flow

Example: Fluid flow through tampering diameter pipe with varying discharge.

Reason: As the discharge changes, the velocity at a given section changes over time i.e.,
unsteady flow. Also, as the pipe is tapered, the cross-sectional area decreases thereby
increasing the velocity over distance. Therefore, at a given time, the velocity between two
sections changes ie., non-uniform flow.

Continuity Equation

The flow of fluids can be expressed mathematically using the continuity equation. It is based
on the law of conservation of mass. The general form of the continuity equation for a three-
dimensional flow having steady, unsteady, uniform, non-uniform, compressible, and
incompressible flow, is given as,

∂ρ/∂t + ∂(ρu)/∂x + ∂(ρv)/∂y + ∂(ρw)/∂z = 0

where,
ρ - density of fluid i.e., constant
u, v, w - velocity component in x, y, and z direction

For steady flow, ∂ρ/∂t = 0


For incompressible flow, ρ = constant
For uniform flow, ∂u/∂x = 0

Therefore, the continuity equation for a steady, uniform, and incompressible flow is given as,

∂u/∂x + ∂v/∂y + ∂w/∂z = 0

Rotational and Irrotational flow

In rotational flow, the fluid particles rotate about their mass center due to tangential stress
caused by the viscosity of the fluid.

In such cases, the angular velocity of rotation is given by,

wz = (1/2) * ((∂v/∂x) - (∂u/∂y))

In the case of irrotational flow, the fluid particles don't rotate, and hence wz = 0.

∂v/∂x = ∂u/∂y

Acceleration of Fluid Flow

Acceleration in general is given as,

a = dV/dt = (∂V/∂s) * (ds/dt) = V * (∂V/∂s)

In the case of fluid flow, each velocity component is a function of x, y, z, and time (t).
Therefore, the acceleration component for each velocity component should be found.

ax = (u * (∂u/∂x)) + (v * (∂u/∂y)) + (w * (∂u/∂z)) + (∂u/∂t)


ay = (u * (∂v/∂x)) + (v * (∂v/∂y)) + (w * (∂v/∂z)) + (∂v/∂t)
az = (u * (∂w/∂x)) + (v * (∂w/∂y)) + (w * (∂w/∂z)) + (∂w/∂t)
a = axi + ayj + azk, in vector format.

The terms (∂u/∂t), (∂v/∂t), and (∂w/∂t), are called temporal acceleration and they become
zero in the case of steady flows.

The terms (u * (∂u/∂x)) + (v * (∂u/∂y)) + (w * (∂u/∂z)), (u * (∂v/∂x)) + (v * (∂v/∂y)) + (w *


(∂v/∂z)), and (u * (∂w/∂x)) + (v * (∂w/∂y)) + (w * (∂w/∂z)), are called convective
acceleration and they become zero in the case of uniform flow.

Therefore, in the case of a steady uniform flow, the acceleration is always zero.

Velocity Potential Function φ

The velocity potential function is a scalar function such that its negative derivative along any
direction will give the velocity component in that direction.

u = -∂φ/∂x
v = -∂φ/∂y

The continuity equation in terms of the velocity potential function is called the Laplace
function. For a steady, uniform, and incompressible flow, the Laplace equation should be
satisfied.

Irrotational flow in terms of velocity potential function

Irrotational Flow by Velocity Potential Function

Stream Function ψ
The stream function is a scalar function such that its derivative along any direction gives the
velocity component in the perpendicular direction, in the clockwise or anti-clockwise
direction.

u = ∂ψ/∂y, v = -∂ψ/∂x

Irrotational flow in terms of stream function

Irrotational Flow by Stream Function

Note:

 Discharge between two points can be found as the difference in stream function
between the two points.
 Vorticity for a two-dimensional fluid flow is given as, ∂v/∂x - ∂u/∂y
 Equation of streamline is given as, dx/u = dy/v
 ∂ψ/∂y = ∂φ/∂x

Fluid Flow Pattern

Streamline - curve line obtained during the flow of fluid particles such that a tangential drawn
represents the resultant velocity of flow

Streamtube - formed by a number of streamlines

Pathline - line traced by fluid particles during a period of tie

Streak line - Locus of all fluid particles at any time instant which passes through a fixed point
We hope we have covered all the important details related to fluid kinematics. Test your
knowledge by solving a GATE:2005 problem given below.

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