1

APPROXIMATE SOLUTIONS OF THE

NAVIER-STOKES EQUATION

Andrés Felipe Sánchez Galindo

Bogotá D.C,
Universidad de San Buenaventura
andres_sanchez01@hotmail.com


The vector form of the navier-stokes equation which works for
Abstract— In this paper we will simplify the equation of Navier-
Stokes and show some approaches, the relationship between
Newtonian incompressible fluids with constant properties:
inertia and viscosity, whether or not significant for the region of 𝐷𝑉⃗ 𝜕𝑉⃗
the flow field with the help of the reynols numbers. 𝜌 = 𝜌 [ + (𝑉 ⃗ ∗∇
⃗ )𝑉
⃗ ] = −∇⃗ 𝑝 + 𝜌g⃗ + 𝜇∇2 𝑉
⃗ (2)
𝐷𝑡 𝜕𝑡
Index Terms—Navier-Stokes, Reynols numbers, Viscosity, You can see that the variables (𝜌,V, t,𝜇) are dimensional and
Inertia, Flow. with the help of the following table we can scale the
parameters.
INTRODUCTION

W e will derive the deferential equation of Navier-Stokes

for incompressible, Newtonian fluids and thus simplify
the calculations, this equation is a fluid flow model which mixes
the thermodynamic properties, transport of constants and
Newtonian fluids. We can cancel some variables that depend on
the assumptions and the geometry depending on the problem
the approximations are made to simplify the calculations, if this “Figure (2),table 1. “
approximation is not suitable for a certain problem it will be We define the nondimensional variables with the table (figure
incorrect due to the wrong analysis of it, so we should associate 2), scaling parameters
very well the variables to use a correct flow type, it must also
 𝑡 ∗ = 𝑓𝑡
be considered that the flow may not be the same in all regions 𝑃−𝑃∞
of the fluid.  𝑃∗ =
𝑃0 − 𝑃∞
𝑥
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑥∗ =
𝐿
𝑔⃗
 𝑔=
𝑔
𝑉⃗
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑉∗ =
𝑉
 ∇∗ = 𝐿∇

We leave the equations in dimensional terms to relate them in

“Figure (1), region of fluid. “ equation (2)
1
 𝑡 = 𝑡∗
𝑓
NONDIMENSIONALIZED EQUATIONS OF MOTION
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗∗
𝑥 = 𝐿𝑥
 ⃗ = 𝑉𝑉
𝑉 ⃗⃗⃗⃗∗
The objective is to compare the order of magnitude of the 1
movement equations to simplify and approximate the solutions.  ∇= ∇∗
𝐿
The equation of continuity incompressible, the vectorial form  𝑃 = 𝑃∞ + (𝑃0 − 𝑃∞ )𝑃 ∗
of the equation for fluids incompressible Newtonians  𝑔 = 𝑔𝑔
incompressible continuity equation:
⃗ ∗∇
𝑉 ⃗ = 0 (1) We substitute the variables in the main equation
 2

⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ 𝜌𝑉 2
𝜕𝑉 that the drag force is always
𝜌𝑉𝑓
+ (𝑉⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ ∙ ∇∗ )𝑉
⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ = 𝐹𝐷 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 ∗ 𝜇𝑉𝐷
𝜕𝑡⃗⃗⃗∗ 𝐿
𝑃0 − 𝑃∞ ∗ ∗ 𝜇𝑉 ∗ 2 ∗
− ∇ 𝑃 + 𝜌𝑔𝑔 ⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ + ∇ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
V (3) To analyze the flow on a sphere, a linear function of
𝐿 𝐿2
We multiply the whole term by
𝐿 velocity and viscosity is used, which gives a drag
2 (the primary dimensions
𝜌𝑉
𝑚
coefficient.
[ 2 ]), the terms in [] are nondimensionales
𝐿2 𝑡
𝑓𝐿 𝜕𝑉 ⃗⃗⃗⃗∗
[ ] ∗ + (𝑉 ⃗ ∗ ∙ ∇∗ )𝑉
⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ =
𝑉 𝜕𝑡
𝑃 −𝑃 𝑔𝐿 𝜇
𝑔∗ + [ ] ∇∗ 2 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
− [ 0 2∞] ∇∗ 𝑃 ∗ + [ 2] ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑉 ∗ (4)
𝜌𝑉 𝑉 𝜌𝑉𝐿
Navier-Stokes equation in nondimensional form
𝜕𝑉⃗⃗⃗⃗∗
[𝑆𝑡] ∗ + (𝑉 ⃗ ∗ ∙ ∇∗ )𝑉
⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ = 𝐹𝐷 = 3𝜋𝜇𝑉𝐷
𝜕𝑡
1 1 “Figure (3) Drag in sphere”
𝑔∗ + [ ] ∇∗ 2 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
−[𝐸𝑢 ]∇∗ 𝑃 ∗ + [ 2] ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑉 ∗ (5)
𝐹𝑟 𝑅𝑒
Nondimensionalization APPROXIMATION FOR INVISCID REGION FLOW
We can use any value of the scale parameters and this
Regions where net viscous forces are negligible compared to
simplifies the calculations.
pressure and intertia forces, it is also called frictionless flow,
Normalization
because its viscous forces are net are negligible
To normalize the equation, we must choose the parameters ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗∗
𝜕𝑉 1 1
of stalling for the flow that is analyzed and thus all the [𝑆𝑡] ⃗ ∗ ∙ ∇∗ )𝑉
+ (𝑉 ⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ = −[𝐸𝑢 ]∇∗ 𝑃 ∗ + [ 𝑔∗ + [ ] ∇∗ 2 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
] ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑉∗
𝜕𝑡 ∗ 𝐹𝑟 2 𝑅𝑒
nondimensional variables are of order of magnitude unity. When losing its viscous term the equation of navier Stokes is
 𝑡 ∗ ~1 reduced to the equation of euler
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑥 ∗ ~1 If Re large
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑉 ∗ ~1 𝜕𝑉⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ 1
[𝑆𝑡] ∗ + (𝑉 ⃗ ∗ ∙ ∇∗ )𝑉
⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ = −[𝐸𝑢 ]∇∗ 𝑃 ∗ + [ ] ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑔∗
 𝑃 ∗ ~1 𝜕𝑡 𝐹𝑟 2
 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑔∗ ~1
 ∇∗ ~1
Depends only on the relative magnitudes of the dimensionless
parameters St, Eu, Fr, and Re.

CREEPING FLOWAPROXIMATION
It is known as '' flow of stokes '' or '' Reynolds low number
flow ‘’. His Reynolds number is less than 1, h is 𝜌, 𝑉, 𝐿 are very
small and his 𝜇 is very large.
For simplicity, it is assumed that the gravitational effects are “Figure (4) Region Euler equation”.
negligible, or that they only contribute to a component of
hydrostatic pressure, also in this type of fluid it is assumed that We use vector identity to derive Bernoulli equation
St~1,Fr~1 𝑉2
⃗ ∙ 𝛻)𝑉
(𝑉 ⃗ = 𝛻( )−𝑉 ⃗ × (𝛻 × 𝑉
⃗)
1 2 2
[𝐸𝑢 ]𝛻 ∗ 𝑃∗ = [ ] 𝛻 ∗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑉 ∗ (6) recognize the second term in parentheses on the right side
𝑅 𝑒
Since 𝑃^∗~1, ∇^∗~1 as the vorticity vector ϛ
𝑃 −𝑃 1 𝜇 𝑉2
𝐸𝑢 = 0 2∞ ~ = =𝑃0 − ⃗ ∙ 𝛻)𝑉
(𝑉 ⃗ = 𝛻( )−𝑉
2
⃗ ×ϛ
𝜌𝑉 𝑅 𝑒 𝜌𝑉𝐿
𝜇𝑉 alternate form of the steady Euler equation is written as
𝑃∞ ~ (7) 𝑉2 1
𝐿 ⃗ × ϛ = − 𝛻𝑃 + 𝑔
Is very different from intertia dominated flows where density 𝛻( )−𝑉
2 𝜌
has completely dropped out of nondimensionalization equation, ⃗ = 𝛻(𝑔𝑧)
𝑔 = −𝑔𝑘
to prove it we go to the dimensional form.
rearrange by combining three terms within one gradient
𝜇𝑉
𝑃0 − 𝑃∞ ~ ≠ 𝑃0 − 𝑃∞ ~𝜌𝑉 2 operator
𝐿 𝑃 𝑉2
∇𝑃 = 𝜇∇2 𝑉 ⃗ 𝛻( + + 𝑔𝑧) = 𝑉 ⃗ ×ϛ
𝜌 2
DRAG ON AN OBJECT IN CREEPING FLOW
The force of drag on an object in the flow of stokes is a Steady incompressible Bernoulli equation in inviscid regions
function of the speed, length and viscosity of the fluid so of flow
 3

𝑃 𝑉2 ∇∙𝑉⃗ = ∇ ∙ ∇∅ = ∇2 ∅ = 0
+ + 𝑔𝑧 = 𝐶
𝜌 2 This is Laplace equation

Momentum equation we use it to apply the irritation

IRROTATIONAL FLOW APPROXIMATION approach to the viscous term
There are regions of flow in which the fluid particles do not 𝜇∇2 𝑉⃗ = 𝜇∇2 (∇∅) = 𝜇∇(∇2 ∅) = 0
have net rotation (irrotational), it can be applied in some regions the equation of navier stokes for the irritation flow is reduced
of the fluid and not in general, the approximation is that the Nondimensional
vorticity is insignificant. In general, the invisible regions of ⃗⃗⃗⃗∗
𝜕𝑉 1
[𝑆𝑡] ∗ + (𝑉 ⃗ ∗ ∙ ∇∗ )𝑉
⃗⃗⃗⃗∗ = −[𝐸𝑢 ]∇∗ 𝑃 ∗ + [ ] ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑔∗
flow away from the solid walls and the wakes of the bodies are 𝜕𝑡 𝐹𝑟 2
also irrotational, Solutions obtained for the class of flow Dimensional
defined by irrotationality are approximations of full Navier 𝜕𝑉⃗
Stokes solutions 𝜌 [ + (𝑉 ⃗ ∙ ∇)𝑉 ⃗ ] = −∇𝑃 + 𝜌𝑔
𝜕𝑡
Ϛ = ∇𝑥𝑉 ⃗ ≌0
This equation leaves the derivation of the Bernoulli equation
and is valid for Inviscid (along a streamline) and Irritational
(ϛ = 0 everywhere)
𝑃 𝑉2
+ + 𝑔𝑧 = 𝐶
𝜌 2
Process
1. Calculate from Laplace equation(continuity)
2. Calculate velocity 𝑉 ⃗ = ∇∅
3. Calculate pressure (derived momentum)
𝑉∞ 2 − 𝑉 2
𝑃 = 𝑃∞ + 𝜌 [ + 𝑔(𝑧0 − 𝑧)]
2
“Figure (5) Region irrotational flow”. 2D FLOWS
The two most common examples are planar flux (flux in a
Continuity equation plane with negligible variation in the direction normal to the
It is a vector identity concerning the rotational gradient of plane) and axisymmetric flux (flux in which rotational
any scalar function ϕ, and therefore the rotational of any vector symmetry exists around an axis).
⃗ , if the rotational of a vector is zero, the vector can be
𝑉 We use the streamfunction
expressed as the gradient of a scalar function ϕ, called the 𝜕𝜓 𝜕𝜓
potential function. 𝑈= 𝑉=
𝜕𝒴 𝜕𝑥
∇x∇ϕ = 0 Since vorticity is zero
∇x𝑉⃗ =0 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑈
Ϛ𝑧= − =0
⃗ = ∇ϕ
𝑉 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝒴
The equation is valid for fully three-dimensional flow fields, 𝜕2𝜓 𝜕2𝜓
+ =0
if the irrotationality approximation is adequate in the study flow 𝜕𝒴 2 𝜕𝑥 2
region. The equation of laplace fulfills he potential of the velocity
Cartesian and the flow function
𝜕∅
𝑈= 2D FLOWS
𝜕𝑥
𝜕∅ • ψ Constant in streamline
𝑉=
𝜕𝑦 • ϕ Constant in equipotential lines
𝜕∅ • ϕ and ψ orthogonal
𝑊= • ψ is defined by continuity Results from irrotationality
𝜕𝑧
Cylindrical ∇2 ψ
𝜕∅ • ϕ is defined by irrotationality ∇2 ϕ results from
𝑈𝑟 =
𝜕𝑟 continuity
1 𝜕∅
𝑈𝜃 =
𝑟 𝜕𝜃
𝜕∅
𝑈𝑧 =
𝜕𝑧
The utility of the equation becomes evident when it is
replaced in the incompressible flow continuity equation where
the Laplacian operator
 4

Method of superposition
Several solutions of the Laplace equation can be combined,
and it is guaranteed that the combination is also a solution. If a
region of irrotational flow is modeled by the sum of two or more
separate fields of irrotational flow, for example, a source
located in a free flow, one can simply add the potential velocity
functions of each individual flow to describe the flow field
combined
Because ∇2 ∅=0 and ∇2 𝜓 = 0 are linear combination it has
two or more solutions
“Figure (6) Lines 2D”. Velocity component are aditive
𝜕𝜙 𝜕(𝜙1 + 𝜙2 ) 𝜕𝜙1 𝜕𝜙2
𝑢= = = +
The derivation for cylindrical coordinates is similar except 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
UNIFORM STREAM
axisymmetric flow
It can be thought is the uniform flow current that moves with
constant velocity in the x direction (from left to right)
• Cartesian coordinates
𝜙 = 𝑉𝑥
𝜓 = 𝑉𝒴
• Cilindrycal coordinates conversion
𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃
𝒴 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃
𝜙 = 𝑉𝑟 cos 𝜃
𝜓 = 𝑉𝑟 sin 𝜃
“Figure (7) Planar”.

“Figure (10) Uniform stream”.

“Figure (8) Axisymmetric”.

This table summarizes the irrotational regions LINE SOURCE/SINK

two-dimensional flow The fluid emerges and flows in a uniform out in all directions

• The streamfunction and potential are derived by seeing

that the flow is radially 𝒱̇ /𝐿
• Velocity components
𝒱̇ /𝐿
𝑈𝑟 =
2𝜋𝑟
𝑈𝜃 = 0

“Figure (9) Table 2”.

 5

“Figure (11) Line sourse/sink”. “Figure (13) Line sourse/sink”.

𝜕𝜙 1 𝜕𝜓 𝒱̇ /𝐿 LINE VORTEX
𝑈𝑟 = = = It consists of a linear source and a linear sink of the same
𝜕𝑟 𝑟 𝜕𝜃 2𝜋𝑟
1 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜓 magnitude
𝑈𝜃 = =− =0 Velocity components
𝑟 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑟
• Integrated 𝜕𝜙 1 𝜕𝜓
𝑈𝑟 = = =0
𝒱̇ /𝐿 𝜕𝑟 𝑟 𝜕𝜃
𝜙= 𝚕𝚗 𝑟 1 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝜓 Γ
2𝜋 𝑈𝜃 = =− =
𝒱̇ /𝐿 𝑟 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑟 2𝜋𝑟
𝜓= 𝜃 Integrated
2𝜋 Γ
𝜙= 𝜃
2𝜋
Γ
𝜓=− 𝚕𝚗 𝑟
2𝜋

“Figure (14) Line Vortex”.

“Figure (12) Line sourse/sink”.
Moves in x,y =(a,b)
moves in x,y =(a,b) Γ Γ 𝒴−𝑏
𝜙= 𝜃 = tan−1 ( )
𝒱̇ /𝐿 𝒱̇ /𝐿 2𝜋 1 2𝜋 𝑥+𝑎
𝜙= 𝚕𝚗 𝑟1 = 𝚕𝚗√(𝑥 − 𝑎)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑏)2 Γ Γ
2𝜋 2𝜋 𝜓=− 𝚕𝚗 𝑟1 = − 𝚕𝚗√(𝑥 − 𝑎)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑏)2
𝒱̇ /𝐿 𝒱̇ /𝐿 𝑦−𝑏 2𝜋 2𝜋
𝜓= 𝜃1 = tan−1 ( )
2𝜋 2𝜋 𝑥−𝑎
 6

“Figure (16) Doublet”.

We add 1 and 2, apply Algebra and take a=0

K=doublet strength
sin 𝜃
𝜓 = −𝐾
𝑟
cos 𝜃
𝜙=𝐾
𝑟

“Figure (15) Line Vortex”.

DOUBLET
Is a combination of line sink and line source of equal
magnitude
Sourse
𝒱̇ /𝐿 𝒴
𝜓= 𝜃1 𝜃1 = tan−1 ( )
2𝜋 𝑥+𝑎
Sink
𝒱̇
𝒴
𝜓 = − 𝐿 𝜃2 𝜃2 = tan−1 ( )
2𝜋 𝑥+𝑎
“Figure (18) Doublet”.

REFERENCES
[1] Yunus A. Çengel, John M. Cimbala, “Fluid mechanics fundamentals and
aplications”,2006, McGraw-Hill series in mechanical engineering, 1st ed.