Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

(i) Rotational and Irrotational flow

Flow
Radial motion or Radial flow

Rotary or Vortex Motion

Free vortex

Free Cylindrical Vortex

Forced vortex

Free Spiral vortex

Forced Cylindrical Vortex Forced Spiral vortex

Basically there are two types of motion

(i) Translation and
(ii) Rotation
The two may exist independently or simultaneously.
If now an element is represented, it may be subjected to deformation. This can be linear
or angular.
If the motion of the particles is purely translational and the distortion is symmetrical, the
flow is irrotational and the vorticity

v y vx

=cons tant .

x
y

Example: Flownet application.

Forced vortex is also known as flywheel vortex.
Free vortex is also known as potential vortex.

v
=C
r

vr =C

Compound vortex combination of free and forced vortex also known as Rankine vortex.
Spiral vortex (free vortex and a radial flow).
Rotation of a fluid, moving as a solid, about an axis is called forced vortex motion. Every
particle of fluid will have same angular velocity.
Free vortex motion:
Each particle moves in a circular path with speed varying inversely as the distance from
the centre

vr =cons tant

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

r0
2r2
______

Paraboloid

2g

C
L

Forced vortex
v
=cons tant
r

. Rotation of the fluid in a tea cup is an example of a forced vortex.

Sharp curved orifice

Bath tub vortex

(Basic vortex)
Vortex
Rotational flow
Irrotational flow

Application
(i) Vertical intake in Reservoir
(ii) Horizontal intake
(iii) Pump sump intake

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

surface vortex

subsurface vortex
(submerged or underwater vortex)

1
(a)

(b)

(c)

local vortex

concentric or column vortex

Open air-core
(vortex orifice flow)

dimple

line vortices

Types of vortices due to location of appearance and resulting shape

1

description
due to:
1) increase of circulation
2) development relative to
the intake
3) Physical
explanation

weak
undeveloped
combined potential
and rotational vortex
(Rankine vortex)

critical
critical
critical stage
for air-entrainment

strong
developed
potential vortex or free
spiral vortex with an
open air-core

The different types of stable surface vortices at intakes vertically

downstream (drain vortices), indication and distinction

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Vt Tangential velocity
Free Vortex

Vt = ____
2-r r

Forced vortex

Vt = r

(vorticity)
2

Combined vortex

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

o
rc
Flow around a 90 bend ___ = 0.5
b
Zone of seperation, Shock waves and Hydraulic jump can be seen
in the downstream of the bend (after Thandaveswara)

(iv) Cyclone.
Rankine vortex is a combination of free and forced vortex.
Forced vortex (inner core region) and Free vortex (in outer core region).
Free vortex tangential velocity

Pressure distribution

Velocity distribution

2ro

Rankine vortex
v = wr
t
C
v =
,r <r
t 2 r o

Vortices can be classified based on vortex strength. A basic vortex also referred as bath
tub vortex.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras