Viscous Flow 2010

Homework #3
1. Lubrication theory:
We want to design a bearing pad of two constant clearance sections: a leading-edge
clearance h1 of length L1 and a trailing-edge of clearance h 2 of length L 2 . The pad is to
move with constant velocity U relative to the bearing plate after the gap is filled with
lubricant of viscosity  .
(1) Let Q V represent the constant volume flux of lubricant through the bearing gap
per unit span. Write an (approximate) equation for Q V .
(2) Sketch the pressure profile under the pad
(3) Estimate the load-carrying capacity of the pad as a function of the length ratio
  L1 L 2 and the clearance ratio   h1 h 2 .
(4) Determine the design parameters  and  to maximize the load-carrying capacity
if L  L1  L 2 and h 2 are specified.

y
L2 L1
U
p0 h1 p0
h2
x

2. Alternating Poiseuille flow:

Consider an incompressible and viscous fluid is driven in a rigid channel, h  y  h

p
by an oscillating pressure gradient   G 0  G1 cos  t where G 0 , G 1 and  are constant.
x

(1) Write down the governing equation and the BCs. Show that a solution is possible
i t
in the form u ( y , t )  u 0 ( y )  R e {u 1 ( y ) e }, where Re{} takes the real part.
(2) Find u0 ( y) .

(3) Show that with a suitable real constant  , the second component can be written
as
G1  c o s h [ (1  i ) y /  ] 
u1 ( y )  1   .
i  c o s h [ (1  i ) h /  ] 

Any comment on the value of  ?

(4) Show that as    , the wall shear stress is

Viscous Flow HW#3 F.-L. Yang 1

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  
 w a ll   ( y  0)   hG 0  G1    c o s  t  s in  t  .
 2 

Then determine the time, within in a period T  1/ when the wall shear stress
reaches its maximum.
(5) Suppose G1 G0  0 . Discuss whether the velocity can be negative for some
values of y and t.

3. Starting flow between two porous wall

Consider a steady downward vertical flow, v   v0 , between two rigid porous walls at
y=0 and y=h. The lower plate starts to move to the right at a constant U at time zero.
Assume that gravity force is negligible.
(1) Write down the governing equation and the initial and the boundary conditions.
(2) Solve for the new steady state solution.
(3) Solve for the velocity profile from time zero (expect a series solution).
(4) If the solution you obtain in (c) is sketched in Fig1(b) while Fig1(a) is the linear
Couette flow between two impermeable walls. Can you explain why the two steady
state profiles are so different?
(5) What if we have a blowing flow, ie. v  v 0 ?

(a) (b)

Fig1

4. Flow Kinematics (40%)

We have introduced two simple models for real fluids in class. One that in solid body
rotation with  u r , u  , u z     r 2 , 0 , 0  and the other flow is generated by an potential
vortex in motion of  u r , u  , u z    0 ,  2  r , 0  . Assume both flows are steady and gravity
force is negligible. Do the following problems for each flow:
(1) Compute the nonzero strain fields. Which one deforms a fluid element?
(2) Determine the viscous stress,  r . Which flow gives zero  r ?
(3) Show that the viscous force per unit fluid volume is F i         i . Then evaluate
   and comment on F i .
(4) Solve the pressure field. Expect to see results as portrayed in Fig 2.
(5) Determine the free surface profile (where p=constant)

Viscous Flow HW#3 F.-L. Yang 2

(6) From (a)-(c), does irrotationality guarantee zero viscous stress? If not, what
mechanism results in viscous stress?

Fig2
5. Stagnation flow
We have computed the stagnation flow towards a flat plate in class. The flow profile is
sketched below. Recall that the viscous penetration is suppressed by the incoming
external flow.

Outer potential flow:

( u , v )  ( x ,   y )

(1) If a VERY thin plate of length L   is placed along the central streamline A.
Do you think the thin plate will affect the flow motion? If Yes, state how and sketch
the new flow lines. If No, state reasons.
(2) If the external potential flow is reversed as shown in Fig 3(a), a pair of
STATIONARY vortices are developed when the flow reaches its steady state in Fig
3(b). Explain why the vortex pair stays attached. Describe how you can estimate the
height of the vortice center.
(3) How the vortex circulation depend on the strength of the external flow,  ?

Outer potential flow:

(u , v )  (  x , y )

Fig3
Hint: Remember that a pair of vortex of opposite circulation travels at the induced velocity as shown on the
right. Dimension analysis may help. The potential vortex in Prob3 may help too.

Viscous Flow HW#3 F.-L. Yang 3