Chapter - 10 (Before Mids)

Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions of
the Navier-Stokes Equation

Objectives
1. Appreciate why approximations are

necessary, and know when and where to
use.
2. Understand effects of lack of inertial
terms in the creeping flow approximation.
3. Understand superposition as a method
for solving potential flow.
4. Predict boundary layer thickness and
other boundary layer properties.
ME33 : Fluid Flow 2 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions
Introduction
In Chap. 9, we derived the NSE and developed several
exact solutions.
In this Chapter, we will study several methods for simplifying
the NSE, which permit use of mathematical analysis and
solution
These approximations often hold for certain regions of the flow field.

Nondimensionalization of the NSE
Purpose: Order-of-magnitude analysis of the terms in
the NSE, which is necessary for simplification and
approximate solutions.
We begin with the incompressible NSE
Each term is dimensional, and each variable or property

( V, t, , etc.) is also dimensional.
What are the primary dimensions of each term in the
NSE equation?

To nondimensionalize, we choose scaling

parameters as follows

Next, we define nondimensional variables, using the
scaling parameters in Table 10-1
To plug the nondimensional variables into the NSE, we

need to first rearrange the equations in terms of the
dimensional variables

Now we substitute into the NSE to obtain
Every additive term has primary dimensions

{m1L-2t-2}. To nondimensionalize, we multiply
every term by L/(V2), which has primary
dimensions {m-1L2t2}, so that the dimensions
cancel. After rearrangement,

Terms in [ ] are nondimensional parameters
Strouhal number Euler number Inverse of Froude Inverse of Reynolds

number squared number
Navier-Stokes equation in nondimensional form

Nondimensionalization vs. Normalization

NSE are now nondimensional, but not necessarily normalized.
What is the difference?
Nondimensionalization concerns only the dimensions of the
equation - we can use any value of scaling parameters L, V, etc.
Normalization is more restrictive than nondimensionalization.
To normalize the equation, we must choose scaling parameters
L,V, etc. that are appropriate for the flow being analyzed, such
that all nondimensional variables are of order of magnitude
unity, i.e., their minimum and maximum values are close to 1.0.
If we have properly normalized the NSE, we can compare the relative

importance of the terms in the equation by comparing the relative magnitudes of
the nondimensional parameters St, Eu, Fr, and Re.

Creeping Flow
Also known as “Stokes Flow” or “Low

Reynolds number flow”
Occurs when Re << 1
, V, or L are very small, e.g., micro-
organisms, MEMS, nano-tech, particles,
bubbles
 is very large, e.g., honey, lava

Creeping Flow
To simplify NSE, assume St ~ 1, Fr ~ 1
Pressure Viscous
forces forces
Since

Creeping Flow
This is important
Very different from inertia dominated flows where
Density has completely dropped out of NSE. To

demonstrate this, convert back to dimensional form.
This is now a LINEAR EQUATION which can be

solved for simple geometries.

Creeping Flow
Solution of Stokes flow is beyond the scope of

this course.
Analytical solution for flow over a sphere gives a
drag coefficient which is a linear function of
velocity V and viscosity m.

Inviscid Regions of Flow
Definition: Regions where net viscous forces

are negligible compared to pressure and/or
inertia forces
~0 if Re large
Euler Equation

Inviscid Regions of Flow
Euler equation often used in aerodynamics

Elimination of viscous term changes PDE from mixed
elliptic-hyperbolic to hyperbolic. This affects the type of
analytical and computational tools used to solve the
equations.
Must “relax” wall boundary condition from no-slip to slip
No-slip BC Slip BC
u=v=w=0 w = 0, Vn = 0
Vn = normal velocity

Irrotational Flow Approximation
Irrotational
approximation: vorticity is
negligibly small
In general, inviscid
regions are also
irrotational, but there are
situations where inviscid
flow are rotational, e.g.,
solid body rotation (Ex.
10-3)

What are the implications of irrotational

approximation. Look at continuity and
momentum equations.
Continuity equation
Use the vector identity
Since the flow is irrotational
is a scalar potential function

Therefore, regions of irrotational flow are also

called regions of potential flow.
From the definition of the gradient operator 
Cartesian
Cylindrical
Substituting into the continuity equation gives

This means we only need to solve 1 linear

scalar equation to determine all 3 components
of velocity!
Laplace Equation
Luckily, the Laplace equation appears in

numerous fields of science, engineering, and
mathematics. This means there are well
developed tools for solving this equation.

Momentum equation
If we can compute  from the Laplace
equation (which came from continuity) and
velocity from the definition , why do
we need the NSE?  To compute Pressure.
To begin analysis, apply irrotational
approximation to viscous term of the NSE
=0

Therefore, the NSE reduces to the Euler

equation for irrotational flow
nondimensional
dimensional
Instead of integrating to find P, use vector

identity to derive Bernoulli equation

This allows the steady Euler equation to be written as
This form of Bernoulli equation is valid for inviscid and

irrotational flow since we’ve shown that NSE reduces to
the Euler equation.

However,
Inviscid
Irrotational ( = 0)

Therefore, the process for irrotational flow

1. Calculate  from Laplace equation (from continuity)
2. Calculate velocity from definition
3. Calculate pressure from Bernoulli equation (derived
from momentum equation)
Valid for 3D or 2D

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Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions of

the Navier-Stokes Equation

1. Appreciate why approximations are

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Each term is dimensional, and each variable or property

ME33 : Fluid Flow 4 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

To nondimensionalize, we choose scaling

ME33 : Fluid Flow 5 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

To plug the nondimensional variables into the NSE, we

ME33 : Fluid Flow 6 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Now we substitute into the NSE to obtain

Every additive term has primary dimensions

ME33 : Fluid Flow 7 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Terms in [ ] are nondimensional parameters

Strouhal number Euler number Inverse of Froude Inverse of Reynolds

Navier-Stokes equation in nondimensional form

ME33 : Fluid Flow 8 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Nondimensionalization vs. Normalization

If we have properly normalized the NSE, we can compare the relative

ME33 : Fluid Flow 9 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Also known as “Stokes Flow” or “Low

ME33 : Fluid Flow 10 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

To simplify NSE, assume St ~ 1, Fr ~ 1

ME33 : Fluid Flow 11 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Density has completely dropped out of NSE. To

This is now a LINEAR EQUATION which can be

ME33 : Fluid Flow 12 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Solution of Stokes flow is beyond the scope of

ME33 : Fluid Flow 13 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Definition: Regions where net viscous forces

ME33 : Fluid Flow 14 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Euler equation often used in aerodynamics

ME33 : Fluid Flow 15 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

ME33 : Fluid Flow 16 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

What are the implications of irrotational

is a scalar potential function

Therefore, regions of irrotational flow are also

Substituting into the continuity equation gives

ME33 : Fluid Flow 18 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

This means we only need to solve 1 linear

Luckily, the Laplace equation appears in

ME33 : Fluid Flow 19 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

ME33 : Fluid Flow 20 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Therefore, the NSE reduces to the Euler

Instead of integrating to find P, use vector

ME33 : Fluid Flow 21 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

This allows the steady Euler equation to be written as

This form of Bernoulli equation is valid for inviscid and

ME33 : Fluid Flow 22 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

ME33 : Fluid Flow 23 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

Therefore, the process for irrotational flow

ME33 : Fluid Flow 24 Chapter 10: Approximate Solutions

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