Heat Transfer

Bachelor of Engineering

3. Steady State Multi-dimensional Conduction

Multi-dimensional Heat Conduction
In one dimensional conduction, the temperature gradient is
significant for only one coordinate direction.
However, in many cases such problems are grossly oversimplified if
a one-dimensional treatment is used, and it is necessary to account
for multidimensional effects.
To analyze the more general case of two-dimensional heat flow
under steady state condition with no heat generation, the Laplace
equation applies as,

Assuming constant thermal conductivity. The solution to this

equation may be obtained by analytical, numerical, or graphical
techniques. Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 2
Multi-dimensional Heat Conduction
The objective of any heat-transfer analysis is usually to predict heat
flow or the temperature that results from a certain heat flow.
The solution to above Equation will give the temperature in a two-
dimensional body as a function of the two independent space
coordinates x and y.
Then the heat flow in the x and y directions may be calculated from
the Fourier equations

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 3

Multi-dimensional Heat Conduction
These heat-flow quantities are directed either in the x direction or in the y
direction.
The total heat flow at any point in the material is the resultant of the qx and
qy at that point.
Thus the total heat-flow vector is directed so that it is perpendicular to the
lines of constant temperature in the material, as shown in Figure.
So if the temperature distribution in the material is known, we may easily
establish the heat flow.

Sketch showing the heat

flow in two dimensions.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 4
Finite Difference Form of Heat Equation
In many practical situations the geometry or boundary conditions are such
that an analytical solution has not been obtained at all, or if the solution
has been developed, it involves such a complex series solution that
numerical evaluation becomes exceedingly difficult. For such situations
the most fruitful approach to the problem is one based on finite-difference
techniques, the basic principles of which we shall discuss in this section.

Sketch illustrating nomenclature used in

two-dimensional analysis of heat
conduction.

The nodal network for the finite difference

formulation of two dimensional
conduction in rectangular coordinates.

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 5

Finite Difference Form of Heat Equation
Consider a two-dimensional body that is to be divided into equal
increments in both the x and y directions, as shown in above Figure.
The nodal points are designated as shown, the m locations indicating
the x increment and the n locations indicating the y increment.
We wish to establish the temperatures at any of these nodal points
within the body, using Equation

as a governing condition.
Finite differences are used to approximate differential increments in
the temperature and space coordinates; and the smaller we choose
these finite increments, the more closely the true temperature
distribution will be approximated.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 6
Finite Difference Form of Heat Equation

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 7

Finite Difference Form of Heat Equation

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 8

Finite Difference Form of Heat Equation

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 9

Finite Difference Form of Heat Equation

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 10

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 11
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 12
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 13
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 14