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FLUID MECHANICS & HYDRAULICS

7 LAMINAR FLOW

1. INTRODUCTION

At flow velocity the fluid moves in layers. Each layer of fluid slides over the adjacent layer. Due
du
to relative velocity between two layers the velocity gradient , exists and hence a shear
dy

du
stress, T =  acts on the layer.
dy

2. LAMINAR FLOW BETWEEN PARALLEL PLATES

In this case, the shear stress distribution across a section, the ratio of maximum velocity to
average velocity and difference of pressure head for a given length of parallel plates are to be
calculated.
Assuming two plates of unit width.

H
1
y

Assuming an element of fluid at point


( + dy)(dx × 1)
y

dy  P 
P (dy×1) P + x × dx  (dy × 1)
dx  

 (dx×1)

Applying momentum equation in flowing direction.

 p    
P dy − P + dx dy +   +  dx − dx = dm.ax
 x   y

P 
− dx dy + dx dy = 0  ax = 0
x y

 P
 = (1)
y x
Above relation states that, pressure gradient in x direction is equal to shear gradient in
transverse direction (y- direction).

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We know that,
du
=
dy
Putting above relation in equation (1), we get
2 p
 =
y x

2 1 p
 =
y2 4 x

Integrating the above equation, we get

u 1  P 
= y + c1
y   x 

Integrating the above equation, we get

1  P  2
u= y + c1y + c2 ……………………(2)
2  x 

Case 1: Both Plates Are Fixed

So, boundary conditions,
y = 0, u = 0
 On putting above conditions is equation (2),
We get C2 = 0
At y = H, u = 0
1  P  2
0 = H + C1H
2  x 
1  P 
 C1 = − H
2  x 

So, by equation (2), we get

1  P  2 1  P  1
u= y − Hy
2  x  2  x 

1  P 
u=− (Hy − y2 )
2  x 

Case 2: CouetteFlow (lower plate is fixed only)

v

Apply boundary condition,

At y = 0, u = 0  C2 = 0
At y = H, u = v
here v = velocity of upper plate.

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So, equation (2) becomes,

1  P  2
v1 = − H + C1H
2  x 
v 1  P 
 − H = C1
H 2  x 

So, by equation (2), we get

1  P  2  v 1  P  
u= y + −   H y
2  x   H 2  x  
−1  P  v
u=   (Hy − y2 ) + y
2  x  H

2.1. Maximum Velocity (umax) for Both Cases

Case 1: Fixed Plates

We know that, for this case

−1  P 
u= (Hy − y2 )
2  x 

H
At y = , u = umax
2

−1  P   H  H  
2

 umax =   H −   
2  x   2  2  
−1  P  2
 umax = H
8  x 

Case 2: Couette Flow

We know that, for this case:

−1  P  v
u=   (Hy − y2 ) + y
2  x  H

du
for u = umax  =0
dy

du t  P  v
 = (H − 2y) + = 0
dy 2  x  H
v
+ 
y= H + H
1  P 
2  x 

2.1.1 Mean Velocity (u)

It is the constant velocity at any cross section so that the mass flow rate remain same as
is original.

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°
dm

Mathematically, consider a point (1)

o o
m=  dm
H
 (H × 1)u =  (dy × 1)u
O
−1  P 
u= (Hy − y2 )
2  x 
H
−1  P 
 Hu = 
2  x  O  (Hy− y2 )dy

−1  P  2
u= H
12  x 

Important: Relation between maximum and mean velocity for this case.
umax = 1.5u

3. HEAD LOSS

Assuming two points (1) and (2) in the flowing fluid between parallel plates.

2 3
H

We know that for this case mean velocity is given as

−1  P  2
u= H
12  x 
−12u
 x = P
H2
Integrating the above equation, we get
2 L
12u
−  P =
H2 0
dx
1

12uL
 P1 − P2 =
H2
P1 − P2 12uL
 =
g gH2
P1 − P2 12uL
Discharge form  =
g gH3

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4. SHEAR DISTRIBUTION

General equation of shear stress is given as

du
=
dy
d  1  P  
= − (Hy − y2 )
dy  2  x  
−1  P 
= (H − 2y)
2  x 

5. LAMINAR FLOW THROUGH PIPE

For the flow of viscous fluid through circular pipe, the velocity distribution across a section, the
ratio of maximum velocity to average velocity, the shear stress distribution and drop of
pressure for a given length is to be determined the flow through the circular pipe will be viscous
or laminar, if Re is less than 2000.
Consider a horizontal pipe of radius R. The fluid is flowing from left to right in the pipe.

R
r

Assuming a cylindrical element of radius ‘r’ in the flowing fluid.

T (2Pr dx)

PPr2

(P + dp dx) (Pr )
2

dx

dx

Applying momentum equation in flow direction

 P 
Pr2 −  P + (r2 ) − (2r)dx = 0
 x 
P
− dx(r2 ) − (2r)dx = 0
x
−  P 
=
2  x 

Comparing above equation to general equation of shear distribution. We get,

du −r  P 
− =
dr 2  x 
du 1  P 
 = r
dr 2  x 
Integrating the above equation, we get
1  P  2
U= r + C1 (1)
5  x 

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Apply boundary condition
At r = R, U = 0
−1  P  2
C = R [from equation (1)]
4  x 

1  P  2
U= (r − R 2 )
4  x 

−1  P  2
U= (r − R 2 )
4  x 
5.1. Maximum Velocity (Umax)
General equation for this case is given as
−1  P  2
U= (R − r2 )
4  x 
At r = 0, u = Umax
−1  P  2
 Umax = R
4  x 
By rearranging the terms, we can get
 2 
U = Umax = 1 − 2 
 R 

5.2. Mean Velocity (U)

It is the constant velocity at a cross section so that the mass flow rate remains same as
original.
Mathematically,
 r2 
U = Umax 1 − 2 
 R 
 
m = m
R
(R 2 )U =  (2R dr)U
O
R
 r2 
 R 2U = 2 Umax 1 − 2  r dr
O  R 
 R 2
R2 
 R 2U = 2 Umax  − 
 2 4
U
 U = max
2
−1  P  2
U= R
8  x 

Important Relation between maximum and average velocity.

Umax = 2U

5.3. Head Loss

Assume two different points (1) and (2) in the flowing fluid through pipe.

1 2
D

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−1  P  2
U= R
8  x 
−1  P   D 
U=
8  x   2 
32U
 x = −P
D2
Integrating the above equation. We get
L 2
32U
D2 0
x = −  P
1

32UL
 P1 − P2 =
D2
P − P2 32UL
 1 =
g gD2

[It is known as “Hagen-Poiseuille equation”]

P1 − P2 128 QL
Discharge form  =
g  gD4

5.4. Correction Factor

There are two types of correction factors.

(i) Momentum Correction Factor ()

It is defined as the ratio of momentum of the flow per second based on actual velocity to
the momentum of the flow per second based on average velocity across a section.
Mathematically,
Momentum per second based on actual velocity
=
Momentum per second based on average velocity

(ii) Kinetic Energy Correction Factor ()

It is defined as the ratio of the kinetic energy of the flow per second based on actual
velocity across a section to the kinetic energy of the flow per second based on average
velocity across the same section.
Mathematically,
K.E. / sec based on acutal velocity
=
K.E. / sec based on average velocity

Example
Calculate (i) Pressure gradient along flow (ii) average velocity (iii) discharge for an oil of
viscosity 0.01 Ns/m2 flowing between two stationary plates 7-meter-wide and 20 mm
apart. The velocity midway between plates is 5 m/s.
Solution:

 dP 
(i) Pressure gradient 
 dx 

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1  dP  2
Umax = −  t
8  dx 
2
1  dP   20 
5= −    
8  0.01  dt  100 
dP
= −10 N/m2 Per m
dt
Umax 3
(ii) average velocity = =
u 2
2Umax 2  5
u= = = 6.67 m/s
3 3
(iii) Discharge
Q =btu

20 10
=7 
100 3

= 4.67 m3/s

Example: If pressure gradient for flow through plate is –2700 N/m2 per m what will shear

stress on wall if plates are 23 mm apart.

Solution:

−1 dP
0 =  t
2 dx

−1 23
=  ( −2700) 
2 100

= 310.5 N/m2
Example: There is a horizontal crack 40 mm wide and 25 mm deep in a wall of thickness
100 mm, if rate of leakage is 0.19 / sec through the crack is then what be pressure
difference between two end? (μ = 0.05 poise)
Solution:
b = 40 mm = 0.04 meter
t = 25 = 0.2 5meter
L = 100 mm = 0.1 meter
Rate of leakage = u  area of cross – section of crack = (b  t)  u

0.19  10−4 = ( 0.04  0.25)  u

u = 1.9  10−3 m/s

12  u L
P1 − P2 =
th2

12  1.9  10−3  0.05  0.1

= = 1.83  10−4 N/m2
10  0.25  0.25

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Example: If Kinetic energy is for actual velocity of flow is 3J/sec and kinetic energy factor
is 2 then kinetic energy per sec for average velocity of flow will be
Solution:
α =2
3
Kinetic energy per sec for average velocity of flow = = 1.5
2
Example: If moment per second based on actual velocity and average velocity is 4, 2
respectively then momentum correction factor will be
Solution:
4
= =2
2
Example: A crude oil of viscosity 0.1 Ns/m2 has relative density of 0.7 flow through a
circular pre of 25 mm diameter and 200 m length. The rate of flow is 3.5 l/s. Find pressure
drop, shear stress? (Assume laminar flow)
Solution:
μ = 0.1 Ns/m2
ρ = 0.7 × 1000 = 700 kg /m3
D = 25 mm = 0.25 meter
L = 200 m
θ = 3.5 × 10-4 m3/s
32  uL
(i) Pressure drop =
DL
Q 3.5  10−4
u= = = 0.7 m/s
 2 
D (
 6.25 ) 2

u 4
32  0.71  0.1  200
P1 − P2 =
( 0.025)2
= 727 × 10-3 N/m2

(ii) Shear stress

P r
0 = − 
x 2

P P1 − PL 727  10−3
= =
x L 300

= 2.42×10-3 N/m2

0.025
0 = 2.42  153 
2

= 3.025 × 10-5 N/m2

Example: If head loss of for a flow through pipe is 10 cm, what will be density of fluid if

diameter, viscosity, rate of flow is 30 mm, 0.1 Ns/m2, 3cm/sec respectively

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(Length = 300 mt)

Solution:

32 uL
hf =
g D2

10 32  0.1  3  300  1000  1000

=
100 100    9.81  30  30

ρ = 32.62 × 103 kg/m3

P
Example: Find average velocity of = 700 N/m2 per m
x

R =3mm μ 0.1 Ns/m2

Solution:

1  P  2
u=   R
8  x 
2
1  3 
=  (700)  
8  0.1  100 

u = 0.78 m/sec

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