UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

UEME3112 Fluid Mechanics II

May 2019
CFD Assignment: Laminar Pipe Flow

Name ID Programme Year/Semester

1. Saranya Kannan 1405369 CL Y4S1

2. Lee Chia Shyan 1501022 CL Y4S1

3. Shamini Nair 1504742 CL Y3S1

4. Periyashini Gunasegaran 1503863 CL Y3S1

5. Vivian Pua Kei Shuan 1502735 CL Y3S3

Student
Weight Max
Criteria Marks (b) Mark
(a) Marks
axb

Introduction and
1 4
Objective

Results and
6 4
Discussion

Conclusion and
2 4
Recommendations

Report Presentation 1 4

Total points 10

Final Mark / 10
Introduction

Fluid flows can be divided into two different types: laminar flows and turbulent flows.
Laminar flow occurs when the fluid flows in infinitesimal parallel layers with no disruption
between them. In laminar flows, fluid layers slide in parallel, with no eddies, swirls or currents
normal to the flow itself. This type of flow is also referred to as streamline flow because it is
characterized by non-crossing streamlines. The laminar regime is ruled by momentum diffusion,
while the momentum convection is less important. In more physical terms, it means that viscous
forces are higher than inertial forces. (Simscale.com, 2019)

Figure 1: Laminar flow in a closed pipe

Laminar flow is common only in cases in which the flow channel is relatively small, the
fluid is moving slowly, and its viscosity is relatively high. Oil flow through a thin tube or blood
flow through capillaries is laminar. Most other kinds of fluid flow are turbulent except near solid
boundaries, where the flow is often laminar, especially in a thin layer just adjacent to the surface.
(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018)

Entrance length refers to the length of the entry region, the area following the
pipe entrance where effects originating from the interior wall of the pipe propagate into the flow
as an expanding boundary layer.

Figure 2: Flow at entrance to a pipe. (Aerodynamics for Students, 2005)

 ANSYS fluent is a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software tool developed by
ANSYS Incorporation to stimulate fluid flow for design and analysis. CFD is a branch of fluid
mechanics that uses numerical analysis and data structures to analyse and solve problems that
involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the
interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces and the free-stream flow of fluid, defined by
boundary conditions. Before the era of digitalization, engineers study fluid flow by using the
‘build and test’ method where prototypes are built and observed in various situations. The use of
software such as ANSYS fluent gives engineers a more cost effective method by simulating
physical fluid phenomena that are difficult for experiments. Fluid flows in virtual environments
such as the fluid dynamics of ship hulls or the effect of severe weathering on an airplane can be
simulated.

Objectives

● To understand the knowledge to learn how to run the Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFD) software in terms of numerical analysis, mathematics, statistics and computer and
information sciences.
● To study the velocity profile within the circular pipe at developing and fully developed
region.
● To study the influences of inlet velocity on the entry length.
● To observe the differences between fully developed and developing flow patterns.
● To analyse the growth of boundary layers and the velocity contour plots.

Results and Discussion

Using the formula below:

𝜌𝑉𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = 𝜇

where

ρ = fluid density in kg/m3

 V = fluid velocity in kg/m3

D = pipe diameter in m

µ = fluid dynamic viscosity in kg/(m.s)

(1300× 3.5 × 0.1)

𝑅𝑒 = = 650 (< 2100)
(0.7)

∴Since Re = 650 (which is less than 2100), this fluid flow is a laminar flow.

The maximum velocity of fluid at pipe outlet:

(Qin) = (Qout)

(Vin) × A = (Vout) × A

(Vin) average = (Vout) average

Given that Vin = 3.5 m/s, and since this is a laminar flow, it has a parabolic velocity profile.

Vmax = 2 (Vin)

= 2 (3.5)

= 7 m/s

∴The theoretical value of maximum outlet velocity of fluid at the pipe is 7 m/s.

The entry length of the flow:

𝐿𝑒
= 0.06 𝑅𝑒
𝐷
𝐿𝑒 = 0.06 × 650 × 0.1
= 3.9 m
The velocity of fluid at radius of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 cm respectively:

𝒓𝟏 = 1.5cm = 0.015m
𝒓𝟐 = 2.5cm = 0.025m
𝒓𝟑 = 3.5cm = 0.035m

𝑫
R = 𝟐 = 0.05m 𝑽𝒂𝒗𝒈 = 3.5m/s

𝟏− 𝒓𝟐
Equation: Ur = 2(𝑽𝒂𝒗𝒈 ) ( )
𝑹𝟐

𝟏− 𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝟓𝟐
𝑼𝒓𝟏 = 2(3.5) ( ) = 6.37 m/s
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐

𝟏− 𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝟓𝟐
𝑼𝒓𝟐 = 2(3.5) ( ) = 5.25 m/s
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐

𝟏− 𝟎.𝟎𝟑𝟓𝟐
𝑼𝒓𝟑 = 2(3.5) ( ) = 3.57 m/s
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐

From CFD Simulation,

Pipe length (m) 10

Pipe diameter (m) 0.1

Density (kg/m3) 1300

Viscosity (kg/ms) 0.7

Inlet Velocity (m/s) 3.5

Precision 1 x 10-6

Iterations 1000

Geometry 2D
 Mesh Sizing 50×5

100×10

1000×20

Table 1 shows the Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) input.

For the simulation of 50×5 mesh size, the maximum velocity of fluid is 6.73m/s.

Figure 3 shows the outlet maximum velocity for the mesh size of 50 x 5

For the simulation of 100×10 mesh size, the maximum velocity of fluid is 6.93m/s

Figure 4 shows the outlet maximum velocity for the mesh size of 100 x 10
For the simulation of 1000×20 mesh size, the maximum velocity of fluid is 6.98m/s

Figure 5 shows the outlet maximum velocity for the mesh size of 1000 x 20

Percentage difference of maximum velocity between the three simulated results with
theoretical calculation

For mesh size of 50 × 5:

Theoretical Value − Actual Value

Percentage Difference = | |
Theoretical Value

7−6.73
= | | × 100%
7

= 3.9 %

For mesh size of 100 × 10:

Theoretical Value − Actual Value

Percentage Difference = | |
Theoretical Value

7−6.93
= | | × 100%
7

= 1.0 %
For mesh size of 1000 × 20:

Theoretical Value − Actual Value

Percentage Difference = | |
Theoretical Value

7−6.98
= | | × 100%
7

= 0.3%

Maximum velocity Maximum velocity

Mesh Size from theoretical value from simulated results Percentage
(m/s) (m/s) Difference (%)
50 × 5 7 6.73 3.9
100 × 10 7 6.93 1.0
1000 × 20 7 6.98 0.3
Table 2 shows the percentage difference between 3 mesh sizes

From the comparison done, mesh size 1000 × 20 gives the lowest percentage error which
is about 0.3% when compared to the theoretical value. Meanwhile, mesh size 100 × 10 gives a
percentage error of 1.0% and mesh size 50 × 5 gives the highest percentage error of 3.9%. Hence
it can be concluded that mesh size 1000 × 20 provides the most accurate result compared to mesh
sizes 50 × 5 and 100 × 10.

Most recommended mesh size

Among the three mesh sizes, the most suitable one is the 1000×20 because it provides the most
accurate result compared to mesh sizes 50 × 5 and 100 × 10. Besides, it is the finest mesh
compared to the other two. In the study of fluid flow, we deal with significant changes in
gradient. Hence it is the best to use a fine mesh sizing as they are much more sensitive to the
changes.
Velocity Contour Plots

Figure 6: Velocity Contour Plot for Mesh Size 1000x20

At the initial velocity, boundary layer starts small as the velocity has just been
introduced into the contour plot. The pipe wall is assumed to be the line above where the blue
color appears because when velocity is near a pipe wall it is considered as zero velocity or a
non-slip condition. As the flow continues the velocity will gradually start to pick up the pace
and increase the flow velocity and the boundary layer created will be slowly thicker, δ, from
the inlet to the centerline pipeline and then the boundary layer will be at a constant thickness
from centerline until the pipe outlet because it is fully developed.

Centerline Velocity against Axial Distance

Figure 7: Centerline Velocity against Axial Distance with Solution XY Plot

 For laminar pipe flow, the outlet velocity has a greater velocity than the inlet due to the
viscous effect produced by the boundary layer. When the pipe is at x=0m the centerline velocity
is 0m/s because it has just entered the pipe and the flow has not fully develop yet. As the flow
moves further in, the velocity of the centerline will start to form so that it can achieve fully
developed laminar flow. Since the centerline is where the velocity is at its maximum, the
velocity from centerline will be constant throughout until x=10m.

Comparison between calculated entry length and the entry length from simulation

Entry length in Section (I) (c):

𝐿𝑒 = 3.9𝑚

Figure 8: Graph of centerline velocity distribution against axial distance x=1m to x=7m

Based on the Figure 8, the fluid enters the pipe at the inlet (x= 0m) with the velocity of 3.5
m/s. The velocity of the fluid increases rapidly until it reaches x= 1m and the velocity increases
gradually until it reaches 4.2 m. The fluid flows with a constant velocity asymptote to 7 m/s
before reaching the outlet.
 This can be concluded that the hydrodynamic entrance region will be the distance before
4.2 m and the hydrodynamic fully developed region will be zoned after 4.2m. The entry length
will be 4.2m.

𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 (%) = × 100%
𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡
4.2 − 3.9
= × 100%
4.2
= 7.14 %

The entry length of fluid flow is defined as the length to fully develop the velocity profile
after passing through components like bends, valves, pumps, turbines or similar (Engineering
ToolBox, 2003). The concept of entry length is based on an assumption that the heat transfer
coefficient is constant over the length. The simulated result and theoretical result for entry length
are 4.2 m and 3.9 m and they are having percentage error of 7.14 %. This is due to simplification
of the problem on the ideal cases, thus some assumptions are made by the investigators, and the
accuracy of the solution will no doubt depend on these assumptions as well as on the method
adopted.
Plot and comparison on the changes of velocity profile at inlet, developing region,
developed region and outlet.

Figure 9: Graph of flow velocity against radial distance at inlet, outlet, developing and
developed region

By plotting a velocity profile where the flow velocity is against the radial distance, the
developing and developed regions can be determined and analyzed. Based on the previous
discussion, it was determined that the entry length of the flow is 4.2 m. This value also
determines the point which separates between the developing region and developed region,
where the region before x = 4.2 m is still developing whereas at lengths beyond x = 4.2 m, the
region is considered to have developed.

Based on the simulation, the inlet is located at x = 0 m, whereas the outlet is determined to
be at x = 10 m. In order to analyze the velocity profile at the developing and developed regions,
the sample lengths of 1 m and 7 m were used respectively. In the simulation, the radial distance
was determined based on the diameter of the pipeline, where the centerline is represented as x =
0 m, and the upper wall is determined to be at x = 0.05 m.
 At the boundary, in this case, would be located at the upper wall with the radial distance of
0.05 m, a phenomenon known as no-slip condition for viscous fluids may occur. In this case, it is
assumed that at a solid boundary (the upper wall), the fluid will have zero velocity relative to the
boundary. The reason that this occurs is because as the particles in the fluid approach the
boundary surface, the fluid will stick to the surface, and no slips will occur. In this case, the fluid
particles closest to the surface form a layer, where the flow velocity eventually reaches 0 m/s
where it completely stops. This creates friction as adjacent layers of fluid particles move past the
layer, causing the velocity to gradually slow down. However, in order to compensate for the
decrease in velocity, the centerline velocity (the fluid in the center of the pipe) increases, in order
to maintain a constant mass flow rate of the fluid. This creates a velocity gradient along the pipe
(Prabhakara & Deshpande, 2004).

Figure 10: Velocity magnitudes at inlet, outlet, developing and developed region

As shown in the figure above, at the radial distance of 0.05 m, the flow velocity throughout
the pipe is maintained at a constant magnitude of 3.5 m/s. The entering fluid remains at constant
velocity as it driven in by the difference in pressure, hence the no-slip condition does not occur.
The velocity will only decrease and reach 0 at the radial distance of x = 0.05 m.

In the developing region, it was shown that the maximum velocity occurs at the radial
distance of x = 1 m, where the velocity is 6.45 m/s, whereas the velocity reaches 0 at the radial
distance of x = 0.05 m. this can be described using the no-slip condition, where initially at 0 m,
the fluid flows at the maximum velocity of 6.45 m/s, which slows down as it approaches the
solid boundary of the upper wall of the pipe. The velocity is reduced gradually until it reaches a
complete stop at 0.05 m.

Next, in the developed region, where x of 7 m was selected, it was determined that the
maximum velocity is at 6.77 m/s. This corresponds with the situation where at regions beyond
the entry length of 4.2 m, the developed region will have a constant maximum velocity of 6.77
m/s. Moreover, the velocity will be at zero at the radial distance of 0.05 m, as determined based
on the no-slip condition. The developed region and developing region uses the same principle
and described similarly

At the outlet, it was determined that the maximum velocity achieved at radial distance of 0
m is 6.98 m/s, it reaches a velocity of 0 m/s at radial distance of 0.05 m. In this region, the fluid
flow has been fully developed and will maintain a constant velocity profile beyond the entry
length. There is a very small deviation in values between the maximum velocity of the developed
region and the outlet, which could have existed when evaluating the value of the velocity.

Figure 11 velocities of fluid at radius of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 cm when the flow is fully developed.
For r = 1.5cm, u = 6.37m/s

Figure 12 Velocity magnitude when radius = 0.015m

For r = 2.5cm, u = 5.25m/s

Figure 13 Velocity magnitude when radius = 0.025m

For r = 3.5cm, u = 3.57m/s

Figure 14 Velocity magnitude when radius = 0.035m

Percentage difference of radius 1.5cm:

|𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑟𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒|

= × 100
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

|6.37𝑚/𝑠 − 6.4578664𝑚/𝑠|
= × 100% = 1.38%
6.37𝑚/𝑠

Percentage difference of radius 2.5cm:

|𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑟𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒|

= × 100
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
 |5.25𝑚/𝑠 − 5.4113258𝑚/𝑠|
= × 100% = 3.07%
5.25𝑚/𝑠

Percentage difference of radius 3.5cm:

|𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑟𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒|

= × 100
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

|3.57𝑚/𝑠 − 3.8058223𝑚/𝑠|
= × 100% = 6.61%
3.57𝑚/𝑠

Radius, r(cm) Theoretical Velocity Simulated Velocity Percentage difference

(m/s) (m/s) (%)
1.5 6.37 6.4578664 1.38
2.5 5.25 5.4113258 3.07
3.5 3.57 3.8058223 6.61
Table 3: Percentage difference on different radius.

Graph of Outlet Velocity against Radius

7

6
Outlet Velocity, m/s

3 ANSYS
Theoretical
2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Radius, cm

Graph 1: Graph of Simulated and Theoretical Outlet Velocity against Radius

 In a fully developed laminar flow, the flow is steady. Fluid moves at a constant axial
𝑟2
velocity without acceleration. The velocity profile can be derive as 𝑈𝑟 = 2𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 (1 − 𝑅2 ). From

Graph 1, the outlet velocity of the flow is inversely proportional to the radius from the pipe
centerline. The theoretical value for the velocity is smaller than the results generated from
ANSYS. The percentage difference is also getting larger as the radius increase. This is due to the
reason of theoretical calculation is taking consideration of many others factors involved such as
friction in pipe and fluid properties. Meanwhile, the stimulation result from ANSYS software
reflects the ideal case as only necessary data is inputted before stimulation begin which can
caused to the result has a large differences with the theoretical value. As a result, with the aid of
the formula, the larger the radius, the greater the friction, so the velocity will reduce.

Conclusion

To conclude, the mesh size of 1000x20 is chosen as it provides accurate results and has the
lowest percentage difference compared to the other mesh sizes. According to the graph of
velocity against the axial distance, it can be seen that the velocity increases from the inlet to the
centerline region due to the flow trying to achieve the fully developed flow. Once the velocity
reaches the distance at which the fluid is fully developed, the velocity is said to have achieved
maximum and remains constant until the outlet. The distance at which the fluid is fully
developed, also known as the entry length, is determined to be 4.2 m from the simulation results.
From the velocity contour, it is noticed that the boundary layer region gets thicker along
increasing distance. After the fluid is fully developed, the boundary layers tend to merge as they
remain constant at the fully developed region and the outlet region. Therefore, the velocity and
thickness of the fluid increases accordingly. Last but not least, with the aid of CFD, problems
regarding pipe flow can be conveniently analyzed and solved.
References

Aerodynamics for Students. (2005). Entrance Length. [Online] Available at: http://www-
mdp.eng.cam.ac.uk/web/library/enginfo/aerothermal_dvd_only/aero/fprops/pipeflow/node9.html
[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].

Encyclopædia Britannica. (2018). Laminar flow. [Online] Available at:

https://www.britannica.com/science/laminar-flow [Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].

Engineeringtoolbox.com. (2003). Entrance Length and Developed Flow. [Online] Available at:
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/entrance-length-flow-d_615.html [Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].

Prabhakara, S. and Deshpande, M. D. (2004). The No-Slip Boundary Condition in Fluid

Mechanics. [Online] Available at: https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/reso/009/05/0061-
0071[Accessed 31 Jul. 2019]

Simscale.com. (2019). What is Laminar Flow? — SimScale Documentation. [Online] Available

at: https://www.simscale.com/docs/content/simwiki/cfd/what-is-laminar-flow.html [Accessed 31
Jul. 2019]