Viscous flow Theory (ME631)

Turbulent Flow
S. Sarkar

1. Discuss in brief with sketch:

(a) Natural transition of flow on a flat plate with no pressure gradient.
(b) Bypass transitions, formation of turbulent spots and their propagations.
(c) Effect of free stream turbulence and pressure gradient on flow transition.
2. (a) Derive the linearized Navier-Stokes equations from method of small disturbances
pertaining to theory of stability of laminar parallel flows.
(b) Establish then Orr-Sommerfield (O-S) equations using normal mode of
disturbance stating the boundary conditions. Mention the method for solution of the
O-S equation.
(c) What is stability curve? Describe the physical significance of stability curve with
a sketch.
3. The continuity and momentum equation in usual notation for a compressible flow are
given as:
 
 ( u j )  0
t x j
  p  ij
(  ui )  (  ui u j )   
t x j xi x j
2 ui  u u j 
 ij    ij  i  where,  ij  1 if i=j, else zero.
3 xi  x j xi 
 
Obtain,
(a) Equation of continuity in conventional averaging.
(b) Show that the x-momentum equation for a incompressible flow is
u u u 1 p  u2 u v u w 
u v w    2 u      , where (u,v,w) are
x y z  x  x y z 
the Cartesian component of velocity, u  u  u  and u is the time-averaged velocity, u  is
fluctuations.
(c) Discuss in brief the eddy viscosity hypothesis and an expression for eddy viscosity in
mixing length.

4. (a) Clearly explaining the assumptions involved show that the velocity distribution in
the inner portion of the turbulent boundary layer can be written as
u  yu 
 A ln B
u   
(b) Experimental measurements of fully developed turbulent flow in a smooth pipe show
that the velocity distribution may be adequately described by

1/ n
u  yu 
 C  
u   
where, u is the friction velocity. Within a given range of Reynolds number both C and n
may be treated as constants. Show that pipe friction coefficient varies with Re 2 /( n 1) ,
where Re is the Reynolds number based on the pipe diameter and mean flow.

2. Suppose that the power law approximation for velocity distribution in the turbulent
boundary layer on a flat plate, in the form
1
u  yu  n
 C1   
u   
is chosen so as to have the same value of u and du/dy for same value y as that given by
the inner velocity law,
u  yu 
 A ln    B
u   
Show that the value of C1 and the value of y at the common point are given by,
 B 
C1  nA exp   1
 An 
yu  B
and  exp n  
  A
Given A=2.5 and B=5.5 find C1 for n=7 and 9.

3. With the value of C1 determined is the previous exercise for n=9 (i.e., C 1=10.56)
deduce that,
1

cf  0.0372 R x1 / 6 and C F  0.0445 R 6

Find the thickness of the turbulent boundary layer at the trailing edge of the plate when
the length of the plate is 0.3m and Reynolds number based on plate length is 7.5106.
4. The Reynolds number of a flat plate at zero incidence is 5106. Transition on each
surface occurs at 0.4C. The velocity distribution in the laminar part of the
u  y 
boundary layer is given by  Sin  , whilst in the turbulent part of the
U  2 
boundary layer it may be taken to fit a power law of index 1/7. Find the drag co-
efficient of the plate. (taking both surface into account).

5. Find the value of boundary layer drag co-efficient for a symmetrical wing at zero
incidence each surface of which has the same value of  and U at the trailing edge
as the surface of prob. 3.

6. A smooth porous plate is at zero incidence in an air stream of velocity 30 m/sec

and uniform suction is applied to the plate causing a flow into the plate of 0.015
m/sec per square meter of the plate area. Show that far downstream form the
 
leading edge the velocity component u tends to u  30 1  e 106 y and the skin

friction co-efficient is given by c f  0.001 . Find the value of the displacement

and the momentum thickness.

Here, y is measured in meters and  is taken as 1.4610-5 m2/sec.

7. An experiment is performed on fully developed turbulent flow in a smooth pipe at

Re = 105. The pipe inner diameter is 60 mm and the flow rate being
3
5.2510-3 m3s-1. The fluid is water with density   1000 kg/m and kinematic

viscosity =1.0210-6 m2s-1. Determine (i) the wall shear stress, (ii) pressure drop
over a length of 10m and (iii) the thicknesses of viscous sublayer in millimeters.