REPORT ON

COMPLEX POTENTIAL THEORY

SUBMITTED BY
Mr. G. S. M. REDDY MT11HPE002
Mr. NIKHIL B. MULIK MT11HPE004
Mr. NIDHIN K. MT11HPE009


M. Tech, 2011
VNIT, NAGPUR

SUBMITTED TO
PROF. A. S. DHOBLE

INTRODUCTION
In theory of fluid dynamics, there are special type of flow fields that can be
completely comprehended by a function in complex plane that is COMPLEX POTENTIAL
function. For such, flow field must be incompressible, in-viscid, steady and irrotational.
These assumptions leads to the realisation of two inherent real valued functions known as
VELOCITY POTENTIAL function and STREAM function. These constitute visualisation
and analysis techniques for the fluid flow under consideration. Although no fluid flow is
incompressible and in-viscid, some flow fields may be approximated to the former, leading to
better understanding. For instance, majestic sweeps of oceanic or atmospheric currents.

MATHEMATICAL REPRESENTATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Most prevailing approach in the study of fluid dynamics is EULERIAN approach
which means position of observer is fixed as against to LAGRANGIAN approach which
takes the observer on a ride with fluid flow. Thus we consider infinitesimally small fluid
elements flowing in field and being observed by observer from a distant location.
Hence we fix a region in space with a coordinate system attached to it with observers
position as origin 'O'. We call this space as "Flow Domain" or "Control Volume" as all our
discussions are limited to this region only.
Thus Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y and Z axes.
Now, every fluid flow has certain properties associated with it. They are mass (m),
Density (), viscosity (), Temperature (T), Pressure (P), Thermal conductivity (k) etc. In
study of fluid dynamics we consider Pressure (T) to be constant and Thermal conductivity (k)
to be negligible. Along with these two properties in this context, we consider fluids to be in-
viscid (i.e. = 0) and incompressible (i.e. = constant).
Flow field is defined as a vector called, (V bar)

where i, j, & k are mutually perpendicular unit vectors along the direction of axes x, y
and z respectively. Such that u, v, & w are functions of x, y, z, and t (time). Thus
u = f
1
(x,y,z,t); v = f
2
(x,y,z,t); & w = f
3
(x,y,z,t) Hence

= F(x,y,z,t).
In following discussion though we consider,

= F(x,y,z). As steady state prevails.

Mathematically,
y Incompressible, in-viscid and steady flow is governed by following equation:
u x v y w z (For 3D flow)
u x v y (For 2D flow)
OR

y And irrotational flow is governed by following equation:
w y v zi u z w x v x u y

(For 3D )
OR

It is from these two conditions above, Velocity potential function and Stream
function is defined.


While,

Stream function (); other

Velocity potential function()

Other than these assumptions:
y The flow separation does not occur between solid surface and boundary of the fluid .
y Newton's second law holds true at any point in the flow domain.








STREAM FUNCTION
Stream function is defined such that,

&

Thus satisfies

As, u x v y substitute u and v from above equation, we get

( being smooth function )

Hence In a 2D flow domain [x,y] ;

Stream Lines:
Definition of lead us to another concept called Stream lines. Stream lines are nothing but
curves with constant value of .
Thus for stream lines : slop of a stream line =

Stream function also satisfies Laplace equation,

.... ( This comes from applying definitions of u and v in terms of in irrotationality

equation)

Some Features of Stream line:
y A tangent to stream line gives direction of flow at the point in field.
y Value of stream function along stream line remains constant.
y Closeness of stream lines is measure of volume flow rate through a surface.
y More the streamlines are closely packed more will be the volume flow rate.
y Stream lines always run parallel to each other i.e. no two stream line intersect each
other in flow domain








Example:
Stream function for forced vortex

Stream function for doublet:







Stream function for source/ sink:




VELOCITY POTENTIAL FUNCTION
Velocity potential function is defined such that,

&

Thus satisfies

As v x u y , Substitute u and v from above equations, we get

; (being a smooth function)

Hence by definition,

(Gradient of )
Thus, in a 2D flow domain [x,y] ;

Similar to Stream function Velocity potential function gives out Equipotential lines, with
constant value of . i.e. (

Velocity Potential function also satisfies Laplace equation,

.... ( This comes from applying definitions of u and v in terms of in continuity

equation)



For example,
Velocity potential function for source/ sink



Velocity potential function for source - sink at finite distance



MATHEMATICAL RELATION BETWEEN
We know, as

but by definition,

&

..... (Substitute these in above equation)

we get,
;
but for Equipotential lines where,
So,
;



Similarly,
We know, as

but by definition,

&

....(Substitute these in above equation)

We get,

but for stream lines, ;
So,


;

Hence we find that,

Hence, It is concluded that,
y Stream Lines and Equipotential Lines are always orthogonal to each other.
y While, are conjugate functions of each other.


COMPLEX POTENTIAL FUNCTION
Complex Potential function () is a Complex valued function with its both domain
and co-domain being complex numbers. It is defined as,
z wheiez x y
In complex potential theory, it is represented by :
x y
Where, is Velocity potential and is Stream function.
For this representation, it has to satisfy a precondition that determines if is analytic
in its domain. This condition is known as Cauchy - Riemann equation.
It states that, For to be analytic over its domain,



As we know, by definitions of
we have, &


Thus it satisfies the Cauchy Riemann Equation. Hence is analytic over its domain.
where,

Representation of complex potential function in polar co-ordinates:

.....where

Thus Cauchy Riemann Equation for Polar co-ordinates becomes ;

EQUATION OF MOTION
By considering the equilibrium of a particle of fluid, the application of Newton's second law
of motion yields two dimensional equations of motion

Equation A

Now using the irrotationality,

Yields a modification to equation A

Equation B

And further rearrangement yields

Equation C

where

, The term n parenthesis are same in both equations, and they are not
function of x or y since their derivatives are zero. Hence they define a function which
depends only upon t, thus

For steady flow,

and thus the becomes constant and above equation reverts to

Bernoulli equations. For wave theory this equation is the unsteady form of the Bernoulli
equation, which is valid throughout the fluid. Dean and Dalrymple show that C(t) may be
absorbed into the definition of the velocity potential and may be taken as zero so that