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Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 2
Fundamental Concepts
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Main Topics
Continuum Concept
Velocity Field
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Continuum Concept
Continuum concept is the basis of classical fluid mechanics
Fluids are composed of molecules separated by empty spaces
Definition: Fluid properties vary smoothly from point to point
Each fluid property is assumed to have a definite value at every point in space
E.g., density, = (x, y, z, t); called a field representation
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Any exceptions to the continuum concept?
Note that the continuum assumption is valid in treating the
behavior of fluids under normal conditions
It breaks down when the mean free path is similar to the
dimensions considered. E.g., in rarefied gas flow
What is the mean free path?
Continuum Concept
It is the average distance a gas molecule travels before
colliding with another molecule
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Properties
Continuum Concept
What is the SG of a substance with 23500 kg/m
3
density?
Specific gravity, SG = density/density of H
2
0 at 4
o
C
(or 1000 kg/m
3
). SG has no units.
Specific weight, = weight per unit volume or mg/V or g
What is the units of ?
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Specific Gravity
Table A.1,
Pages 786 and 787
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Velocity Field
It indicates the velocity of a fluid particle passing through
the point x, y, z at time t. Note: it is a vector field.

Because of the continuum assumption velocity can be
represented by a field
In scalar components:
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Velocity Field
Steady Flow: Flow properties (e.g. = , V, T) are independent
of time; i.e., /t = 0 or E.g., = (x, y, z);
Unsteady Flow: Flow properties vary with time
No-slip condition: Fluids have zero velocity at a solid boundaries
Pipe flow
Boundary layer flow
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Velocity Field
One-dimensional flow: The velocity field (not all the flow properties) is a
function of only one space coordinate.
e.g. fully developed pipe flow;
velocity varies with radius
Two dimensional flow: The velocity field is a function of two space
coordinates, e.g. flow between diverging straight walls
Three-dimensional flow: The velocity field is a function
of all three space coordinates, e.g. round turbulent jet.
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Velocity Field
Uniform flow: Flow in which velocity is constant everywhere
(i.e., independent of all space coordinates).
Uniform Flow at a Section: Velocity is constant across any
section normal to the flow.
Note that this is inconsistent with the No-Slip condition at
a solid boundary.
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Velocity Field: Flow Visualization
Flow patterns are visualized using
timelines, pathlines, streaklines or
streamlines
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Velocity Field
Pathline is the trajectory that a moving fluid
particle follow. These can be thought of as a
"recording" of the path a fluid element in the flow takes over a certain period.
Timeline is a line formed by a number of adjacent
fluid particles that are marked at a given instant in
time.
Streamlines are lines that are instantaneously tangent to the velocity
vector of the flow. These show the direction a fluid element will
travel at any point in time. Most commonly used.
Streakline is the locus of points of all the fluid particles that have
passed continuously through a particular point in the past.
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Streaklines
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Streamlines
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Streamlines
The shapes of streamlines can be derived from the
velocity field
Since streamlines are tangent to velocity vectors
o dy/dx)
streamline
= v(x, y)/u(x, y) [for 2D flows]
It implies that given a velocity field, an equation
for streamlines can be obtained


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Streamlines
Given: V = xi + yj
Find: i) Equation for streamlines through (1,3)
ii) velocity of a fluid particle at a point (2,5)
Solution:

Separating variables:

integrating:
=> ln y = ln x + c
1

=> ln y/x = c
1
or y/x = C
=> ln y - ln x + c
1

At (1, 3) => 3/1 = C = 3.
The equation is y/x = 3 or y = 3x
Velocity at (2,5) is V = 2i + 5j
from which curves can be plotted
Example: