ME 522

ADVANCED FLUID MECHANICS

TERM PROJECTS USING FLUENT
Pick one (20% of Grade)

Problem 1
Consider two circular cylinders placed in a row and incompressible fluid is flowing over the cylinders as shown
in fig below. Consider the distance between the center of cylinders L = 2, 6, 10 cm (3 different cases). Consider
velocity of water U0 = 1m/s and 100m/s (2 different cases). Diameter of both cylinders is D = 1 cm. For all 6
cases, find

1. Velocity vectors (flow field) and Pressure drop across the cylinders.
2. Boundary layer thickness at θ = 900 and 450 across 1st and 2nd cylinder and also find the separation
points.
3. Find the Coefficient of Drag and compare with theoretical or experimental values.
4. Compare all the cases qualitatively.

U0 = 1m/s & 100m/s L=2,6&10cm

Problem 2
An incompressible fluid is flowing over a stepped surface as shown in fig below . Consider flow velocity to be
1m/s and 100m/s (2 different cases) and height of the step as 1cm and 2cm. For 4 cases, find

1. Velocity vectors (flow field) and Velocity profile.

2. Attachment point at the horizontal surface of the step
3. Compare results qualitatively.
 U = 1m/s & 100m/s
0

H = 1cm & 2cm

Problem 3
Consider a cylinder rotating in clockwise direction at angular velocities 50 and 100rpm (2 different cases) and a

incompressible fluid velocity viz. air is in the range U0 = 1m/s and 100m/s the arrangement is as shown below.

1. Find Fluid flow field for both angular velocities of cylinder.

2. Find Lift and Drag coefficients and compare it with Theoretical values.
3. Comment on the results qualitatively.

U0 = 1m/s and 100m/s

Problem 4
An incompressible fluid is flowing in a pipe of diameter D = 20cm and 40cm (2 different cases). Another fluid
enters the pipe through a smaller inlet as shown below.

1. Find velocity vectors (flow field).

2. Estimate the necessary pipe length for establishing a parabolic velocity profile in the pipe.
3. Comment on the results qualitatively.
 U0 = 1m/s & 100m/s
D

D = 20cm & 40cm

d d = 2cm (2 different cases to be done)

V0 = 5m/s & 10m/s

Problem 5
Consider two ellipses placed in a row and an incompressible fluid is flowing from one side as shown in fig
below. Distance between the two cylinders is L = 2cm. Consider velocity of water U 0 = 1m/s and 100m/s.
Distance between the foci of the ellipse is 4cm and length of minor axis is 2cm. Find

1. Velocity vectors and Pressure drop across the cylinders

2. Boundary layer thickness across 1st and 2nd cylinder and also find the separation points
3. Find the Coefficient of Drag and compare with theoretical value.

U0 = 1m/s & 100m/s

Problem 6
An incompressible fluid from a large reservoir flows into a long pipe with diameter D = 10cm and 20cm (choose
1 value ).Fluid flow velocity is U0. Assume the pipe boundary wall thickness at entry to be zero.

1. Estimate the necessary pipe length for establishing a parabolic velocity profile in the pipe.
2. Find fluid flow field or velocity vector and pressure drop in the pipe (to be verified with theoretical
values).
 D

U = 1m/s and 100m/s

0 D = 10cm and 20cm

Problem 7
Consider an incompressible fluid flowing between 2 parallel plates which are separated by distance 10cm and
20cm. The fluid is flowing with a velocity U0 = 1m/s and 100m/s. There is an obstacle above the bottom plate
whose dimensions are 2cm X 1cm (W x H). Find

1. The pressure loss due to the obstacle in the direction of flow.

2. Find velocity vectors, will the fluid gets stabilized after certain length? Demonstrate.

U =1m/s & 100m/s

0
W
L

Problem 8
Viscous fluid flows in the gap between an inner cylinder with radius R1 that rotates at angular speed Ώ1 and an
outer cylinder with radius R2 that rotates at angular speed Ώ2. Fluid flow velocity Uθ is 50m/s. Both cylinders
are rotating in the same direction. Calculate

1. Circumferential velocity distribution and verify with theoretical values.

2. Give the qualitative explanation for the results obtained.
 Ώ1 = 50rpm
Ώ2 = 100rpm
R1 = 20cm
R2 = 40cm

Problem 9
An incompressible fluid is flowing downwards in a pipe of diameter D = 10cm and 20cm, hits the stagnant plate
at a velocity U0 = 1m/s and 100m/s (consider a value in the range). The distance between the pipe exit and
plate is L = 5cm and 10cm. Find

1. Velocity vectors
2. Pressure exerted on the plate by varying the distance between the plate and the exit of the pipe.

U0

Problem 10
Incompressible fluid is flowing through a bifurcating channel whose major channel diameter D = 10cm and
diameter of smaller channel d = 5cm each. The angle between the bifurcating channel is 60 0 and equally
distributed along the central axis. Fluid flow velocity U0 =1m/s and 100m/s. Find

1. Fluid flow field or velocity vectors

2. Flow separation in the system.
 d

0
60
U0 = 1m/s and 100m/s D

Problem 11
Consider a incompressible fluid flowing in a pipe of diameter D = 30cm, which has 3 branches of equal
diameter d = 5cm, spaced at equal distance of w = 10cm. Fluid flow velocity is 50m/s. Find

1. Fluid flow field or velocity vectors.

2. Find Velocity contours along the vertical axis.

U0 = 50m/s D

Problem 12
Consider 5 solid Aluminium tubes placed in staggered position with the fluid flow of velocity (CASE:1) v=0.05
m/s (CASE:2) v=0.02 m/s. The dimensions are as follows:
Outer Diameter = 12 mm
Wall thickness = 1mm
Distance between Cylinders = 3mm.
Show:
1. Velocity and pressure drop across cylinder.
2. Show Velocity and pressure contours.