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Module 4: Vorticity Stream Function Approach for Solving Flow Problems

Lecture 24:

The Lecture deals with:

Vorticity-stream function approach for solving Navier-Stokes Equations

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Module 4: Vorticity Stream Function Approach for Solving Flow Problems

Lecture 24:

Vorticity-stream function approach

The vorticity-stream function method is one of the most popular methods for solving 2-D
incompressible Navier-Strokes equations. The governing equations are

(24.1)

(24.2)

and

(24.3)

As it was discussed earlier, it is difficult to deal with equation (24.1 and 24.2) due to the
lack of presence of a separate equation for pressure We introduce stream function

and vorticity as

(24.4)

(24.5)

We can readily see that existence of (24.4) automatically satisfies continuity equation
(24.3) If we substitute the dependent variable with stream function, we shall not be
concerned with equation (24.3) any more.
Invoking equation (24.4) into (24.5) we obtain Poisson equation.

(24.6)

Now we differentiate equation (24.1) with respect to and equation (24.2) with respect to
. If we subtract differentiated equation (24.2) from differentiated equation (24.1) and
rearrange the resulting equation, we shall obtain

(24.7)

This equation is the vorticity transport equation. Let us express the equation (24.6) in

terms of finite difference quotient for and and putting

(24.8)

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Module 4: Vorticity Stream Function Approach for Solving Flow Problems

Lecture 24:

Now for equation (24.7) we can write

(24.9)

If we put we shall obtain

(24.10)

And we rewrite equation (24.4) as

(24.11)

(24.12)

Thus we have now a system of simultaneous equation, (24.8), (24.10), (24.11) and
(24.12) to be solved for and

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Module 4: Vorticity Stream Function Approach for Solving Flow Problems

Lecture 24:

Let us discuss the solution procedure

1. Divide the physical domain by a mesh system where

Figure 24.1

2. Set the known boundary conditions for and

3. Choose initial values of and at the interior grid points. Taking initial values for

vorticity as zero is usually acceptable. Initial values for at each column of points can
be calculated from the axial velocity profile at that location. However, for interior

points may be taken as and

4. Calculate everywhere using equation (24.8). Gauss-Seidel or overrelaxation type

calculation is done, for example:

where, is the value from previous calculation, is the most recent value, F is the

overrelaxation factor and is newly adjusted better guess.

5. Calculate and at all the internal grid points using equations (24.11 and 24.12).

6. In a subsequent step, calculate at all interior mesh points using equation (24.10).

7. Apply appropriate boundary conditions (which has been discussed, in details, in lecture
25).

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8. Go back to step (4) and calculate with the help of current value of and

values, where denotes the pervious level. After, evaluating at all points, find out

at all points which are indeed improved values. Start repeating steps 4 to 8 untill the
desired degree of convergence is achieved.

Congratulations, you have finished Lecture 24. To view the next lecture select it from the
left hand side menu of the page or click the next button.

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