Fluid Mechanics II (ME 221) – Midsemester Exam (Maximum Marks: 60)

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

• Timing is Sunday, 26 February, 2023, 09-11 AM.

• Make suitable assumptions wherever necessary and clearly mention them in the solution.
• Getting final answers correct without showing intermediate steps will not be accepted and no marks
will be awarded.
• Wherever required, it is necessary to show the control volume/coordinates axis/origin etc.
• For water take viscosity as 0.001 N-s/m2 and density as 998 Kg/m3. g = 9.81 m/s2
=============================================================================
1. (10 Marks) A long plate drags an oil (density = 872.5 Kg/m3 and viscosity = 0.155 N-s/m2) film as it
moves upwards. After a long time, the film thickness is found to be 1.04 cm. Find the velocity
distribution inside the film when there is no net flow of oil.
Solution: Since the plate is very long in y-z plane, we assumed that the flow becomes fully developed
i.e. 𝜕𝑣/𝜕𝑦 = 0 and there is no flow in z-direction. Also, after a long time the flow is assumed to be
steady. We also assume that the oil film thickness is same at all y in the fully developed region.
Applying continuity equation
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
+ =0⇒
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
Since u = 0 at x = 0 we get u = 0 everywhere (1 marks).
Now, we consider the x-momentum equation
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 1 𝜕𝑝 𝜕𝑝
𝑢 +𝑣 =− + 𝜈∇2 𝑢 ⇒ =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜌𝑜 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
Since 𝑝 = 𝑝atm at the oil-air interface, we get 𝑝 = 𝑝atm
everywhere within the oil film (1 marks).
Next, we consider the y-momentum equation
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 1 𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑣 𝜕 2𝑣
𝑢 +𝑣 = −𝑔 − + 𝜈 ( 2 + 2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜌0 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
2
𝑑 𝑣 𝑔
⇒ 2 = (1 marks)
𝑑𝑥 𝜈
Integrating the above equation gives
𝑑𝑣 𝑔
= 𝑥 + 𝑐1
𝑑𝑥 𝜈
The shear stress applied by air on oil is negligible. Therefore
𝑑𝑣 𝑔ℎ
𝜇 | = 0 ⇒ 𝑐1 = −
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=ℎ 𝜈
The velocity profile can be obtained by integrating the previous equation for velocity gradient
𝑔 2 𝑔ℎ
𝑣(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 𝑐2 (2 marks)
2𝜈 𝜈
If the plate movies with a velocity 𝑉0 then 𝑣(𝑥 = 0) = 𝑐2 = 𝑉0 . The final expression for the velocity
profile is
𝑔
𝑣(𝑥) = 𝑉0 + (𝑥 2 − 2ℎ𝑥)
2𝜈
The average flow velocity inside the oil film is
1 ℎ 1 ℎ 𝑔
𝑉̅ = ∫ 𝑣(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ [𝑉0 + (𝑥 2 − 2ℎ𝑥)] 𝑑𝑥
ℎ 0 ℎ 0 2𝜈
1 𝑔 ℎ3
⇒ 𝑉̅ = [𝑉0 ℎ + ( − ℎ3 )]
ℎ 2𝜈 3

1
 𝑔ℎ2
⇒ 𝑉̅ = 𝑉0 −
3𝜈
When there is no net flow inside the oil film then 𝑉̅ = 0 and we get
𝑔ℎ2
𝑉0 = (3 marks)
3𝜈
The velocity distribution is
𝑔ℎ2 𝑔 2 𝑔 2 2
𝑣(𝑥) = + (𝑥 − 2ℎ𝑥) = ( ℎ + 𝑥 2 − 2ℎ𝑥)
3𝜈 2𝜈 2𝜈 3
9.81 × 872.5 2
⇒ 𝑣(𝑥) = ( 0.01042 + 𝑥 2 − 2 × 0.0104𝑥)
2 × 0.155 3
⇒ 𝑣(𝑥) = 1.99 + 27610.4𝑥 2 − 574.3𝑥 m/s (2 marks)

2. (6 Marks) SAE 10 oil (density = 870 Kg/m3 and viscosity = 0.104 Kg/m-s) flows through the 4-cm-
diameter vertical pipe. For the mercury (density = 13550 Kg/m3) manometer reading h = 42 cm shown
in figure 2
(a) state the direction of flow. [2 Marks]
(b) calculate the volume flow rate in m3/h. [4 Marks]
Solution: If the pressure at the lower and higher point of the manometer connections are 𝑝1 and 𝑝2 ,
respectively, then
𝑝1 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝑥 − 𝜌𝑚 𝑔ℎ − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔(𝐻 + 𝑥 − ℎ) = 𝑝2
⇒ 𝑝1 − 𝑝2 = (𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌𝑜 )𝑔ℎ + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻
𝑝1 − 𝑝2 𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌𝑜
⇒ = ℎ+𝐻
𝜌𝑜 𝑔 𝜌𝑜
Since the pressure difference is more than the hydrostatic head of 3 m, the flow must happen upward
(2 marks). Applying energy equation between the lower and higher point of the manometer
connections (V is the average pipe velocity and 𝛼 is the
kinetic energy correction factor)
𝑝1 𝑉2 𝑝2 𝑉2
+𝛼 + 𝑧1 = +𝛼 + 𝑧2 + ℎ𝑓
𝜌𝑜 𝑔 2𝑔 𝜌𝑜 𝑔 2𝑔
𝑝1 − 𝑝2 𝑝1 − 𝑝2
⇒ ℎ𝑓 = − (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 ) = −𝐻
𝜌𝑜 𝑔 𝜌𝑜 𝑔
𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌𝑜
⇒ ℎ𝑓 = ℎ = 6.12 m
𝜌𝑜
For laminar flow
64 𝐻 𝑉 2 64𝜇 𝐻 𝑉 2 32𝜇𝐻𝑉
ℎ𝑓 = = =
𝑅𝑒 𝐷 2𝑔 𝜌𝑜 𝑉𝐷 𝐷 2𝑔 𝜌𝑜 𝐷2 𝑔
Equating the two expressions for head loss
32𝜇𝐻𝑉 𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌𝑜 (𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌𝑜 )𝐷2 𝑔 ℎ
= ℎ⇒𝑉=
𝜌𝑜 𝐷2 𝑔 𝜌𝑜 32𝜇 𝐻
The volume flow rate is
𝜋𝐷2 (𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌𝑜 )𝜋𝐷4 𝑔 ℎ
𝑄=𝑉 =
4 128𝜇 𝐻
4
(13550 − 870)𝜋0.04 × 9.81 0.42
⇒𝑄= = 0.0105 m3 /s = 37.9 m3 /h (4 marks)
128 × 0.104 3

3. (12 Marks) Consider two-dimensional laminar boundary-layer flow along a flat plate. Assume that
the velocity profile in the boundary layer is sinusoidal, 𝑢/𝑈∞ = sin(𝑎𝑦/𝛿 + 𝑏)
(a) Find the value of constants a and b. [2 Marks]
2
 (b) Find the boundary layer thickness 𝛿(𝑥) in terms of Re𝑥 . [3+1+2 Marks]
(c) Find the displacement thickness 𝛿 ∗ (𝑥) in terms of Re𝑥 . [2 Marks]
(d) Find the total frictional force per unit width on the flat plate of length L. [2 Marks]
Solution: (a) Using no-slip boundary condition 𝑢(𝑦 = 0) = 0
0 = sin 𝑏 ⇒ 𝑏 = 0 (1 marks)
At the edge of the boundary layer 𝑢(𝑦 = 𝛿) = 𝑈∞
𝜋
1 = sin 𝑎 ⇒ 𝑎 = (1 marks)
2
So, the velocity profile is
𝑢 𝜋𝑦
= sin ( )
𝑈∞ 2𝛿
(b) Momentum integral equation for a flat plate
𝜏𝑤 𝑑 𝑑𝜃
= (𝑈𝑒2 𝜃) = 𝑈∞ 2
𝜌 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
The momentum thickness is
𝛿
𝑢 𝑢
𝜃=∫ (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦
0 𝑈∞ 𝑈∞
Using 𝜂 = 𝑦/𝛿
1
𝑢 𝑢
𝜃 = 𝛿∫ (1 − ) 𝑑𝜂
0 𝑈∞ 𝑈∞
1 1
𝜃 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
⇒ = ∫ sin ( 𝜂) [1 − sin ( 𝜂)] 𝑑𝜂 = ∫ [sin ( 𝜂) − sin2 ( 𝜂)] 𝑑𝜂
𝛿 0 2 2 0 2 2
1 1
𝜃 𝜋 1 1 2 𝜋 1 1 sin(𝜋𝜂)
⇒ = ∫ sin ( 𝜂) 𝑑𝜂 − ∫ [1 − cos(𝜋𝜂)] 𝑑𝜂 = − [cos ( 𝜂)] − [𝜂 + ]
𝛿 0 2 2 0 𝜋 2 0 2 𝜋 0
𝜃 2 1 (0 − 0)
⇒ = − [0 − 1] − [(1 − 0) + ]
𝛿 𝜋 2 𝜋
𝜃 2 1 4−𝜋
⇒ = − = (3 marks)
𝛿 𝜋 2 2𝜋
Wall shear stress
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝜂
𝜏𝑤 = 𝜇 |𝑦=0 = 𝜇 |𝜂=0
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝑦
𝜇 𝜕𝑢
⇒ 𝜏𝑤 = |
𝛿 𝜕𝜂 𝜂=0
𝜇𝑈∞ 𝜋
⇒ 𝜏𝑤 = (1 marks)
2𝛿
Putting everything back into momentum integral equation
1 𝜇𝑈∞ 𝜋 4 − 𝜋 2 𝑑𝛿
= 𝑈
𝜌 2𝛿 2𝜋 ∞ 𝑑𝑥
𝜋2 𝜈
⇒ 𝛿 𝑑𝛿 = ( ) 𝑑𝑥
4 − 𝜋 𝑈∞
1 2 𝜋2 𝜈 𝜋2 𝜈 2
⇒ 𝛿 =( ) 𝑥=( ) 𝑥
2 4 − 𝜋 𝑈∞ 4 − 𝜋 𝑈∞ 𝑥

𝛿 2𝜋 2 1 4.8
⇒ =√ ≈ (2 marks)
𝑥 4 − 𝜋 √𝑅𝑒𝑥 √𝑅𝑒𝑥
(c) displacement thickness

3
 𝛿 1
∗
𝑢 𝑢
𝛿 = ∫ (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦 = 𝛿 ∫ (1 − ) 𝑑𝜂
0 𝑈∞ 0 𝑈∞
1 1
𝛿∗ 𝜋 2 𝜋 2
⇒ = ∫ [1 − sin ( 𝜂)] 𝑑𝜂 = [𝜂 + cos ( 𝜂)] = (1 − 0) + (0 − 1)
𝛿 0 2 𝜋 2 0 𝜋
∗
𝛿 2 𝜋−2
⇒ = 1− =
𝛿 𝜋 𝜋
𝛿 ∗ 𝜋 − 2 2𝜋 2 1 1.74
= √ ≈ (2 marks)
𝑥 𝜋 4 − 𝜋 √𝑅𝑒𝑥 √𝑅𝑒𝑥
(d) total drag force
2
𝐹𝐷 = 𝜌𝑈∞ 𝜃(𝑥 = 𝐿)
2
2
4−𝜋 4 − 𝜋 𝜌𝑈∞ 𝐿 0.66
⇒ 𝐹𝐷 = 𝜌𝑈∞ 𝛿(𝐿) = √ = 𝜌𝑈 2 𝐿 (2 marks)
2𝜋 2 √𝑅𝑒𝐿 √𝑅𝑒𝐿 ∞

4. (7 Marks) A spherical ball of diameter 𝐷 = 5 cm and specific gravity 𝑆𝐺 = 0.5 is dropped into water
(𝜌 = 998 kg/m3 ) at inlet velocity 𝑉0 = 10 m/s. It will travel a depth ℎ and then pop out again.
Assuming a constant drag coefficient 𝐶𝐷 = 0.47 and acceleration due to gravity 𝑔 = 9.81 m/s2, find
ℎ.
Solution: Imagine a situation when the ball is inside water at a depth of 𝑦 (gravity acts along 𝑦 direction
and origin is located at the free surface) and moving downward with speed 𝑣. The equation of motion
is
𝑑𝑣
∑𝐹𝑌 = 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚𝑣
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑣
⇒ 𝑚𝑔 − 𝐵 − 𝐹𝐷 = 𝑚𝑣 (2 marks)
𝑑𝑦
where 𝑚 = 𝑆𝐺𝜌𝑉 is the mass of the ball, 𝐵 = 𝜌𝑉𝑔 is bouncy force, 𝐹𝐷 = 𝐶𝐷 𝜌𝑣 2 𝐴/2 is the drag force
on the ball. Also, 𝑉 = 𝜋𝐷 3 /6 and 𝐴 = 𝜋𝐷2 /4 are the volume and frontal area of the ball, respectively.
1 𝑑𝑣
(𝑆𝐺 − 1)𝑔𝜌𝑉 − 𝐶𝐷 𝜌𝑣 2 𝐴 = 𝑆𝐺𝜌𝑉 (𝑣 )
2 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑣 1 − 𝑆𝐺 1 𝐶𝐷 𝐴 2
⇒ −𝑣 =𝑔 + 𝑣 (2 marks)
𝑑𝑦 𝑆𝐺 2𝑆𝐺 𝑉
Let
1 − 𝑆𝐺 1 𝐶𝐷 𝐴 3 𝐶𝐷
𝐴=𝑔 and 𝐵 = =
𝑆𝐺 2𝑆𝐺 𝑉 4𝑆𝐺 𝐷
Then
𝑑𝑣
−𝑣 = 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑣 2
𝑑𝑦
0 ℎ
𝑣
⇒ −∫ 2
𝑑𝑣 = ∫ 𝑑𝑦
𝑉0 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑣 0
𝑉0 ℎ
𝑣
⇒∫ 2
𝑑𝑣 = ∫ 𝑑𝑦
0 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑣 0
1 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑉02
⇒ ln =ℎ
2𝐵 𝐴
1 𝐵
⇒ℎ= ln (1 + 𝑉02 )
2𝐵 𝐴
Based on the given data

4
 0.5
𝐴 = 9.81 × = 9.81 m/s2
0.5
3 0.47
𝐵= = 14.1 m−1
4 × 0.5 0.05
1 14.1
ℎ= ln (1 + 100) = 0.176 m (3 marks)
2 × 14.1 9.81
5. (13 Marks) Consider a steady flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through a parallel plate
channel. The height of the channel ( H ) is very small as compared to its other two dimensions. The
flow can be treated as the parallel flow in the axial direction. The fluid properties are assumed to be
constant. The flow is driven by the upper plate only, which is moving in its own plane under the
influence of a constant forcing F . Some kind of pre-coated chemical layer at the lower wall alters the
u
flow velocity in the field by enforcing a new condition at fluid-solid interface and is given as: u = 
n
, where u is the fluid velocity tangent to the surface and n is the normal vector pointing towards the
fluid. The parameter  is known as ‘slip length’.
a) Derive the pertinent equation(s) that govern the flow dynamics for this problem. [3 Marks]
b) By solving the governing transport equation(s) obtain the velocity distribution in the channel. [4
Marks]
c) Write the boundary conditions that you have considered for obtaining the velocity distribution. [3
Marks]
d) Also, clearly state the assumptions you have considered for this analysis. [2 Marks]
e) What would be the velocity profile if compared with that of the profile for  = 0 . [1 Marks]
Solution:
F

H Fluid flowing

Assumptions: (2 marks)
Steady flow
Constant density and viscosity
Parallel flow
Incompressible flow
2D flow
 ()
=0
z
u v
Continuity Equation: + =0
x y
u
Since the flow is Parallel flow: = 0 i.e. u  u( x) which means the flow is fully developed flow
x

5
 Dv p
y-momentum Equation:  = − +  2v
Dt y
using the above assumptions;
p
= 0 i.e. p  p( y)
y
 u u u  p   2u  2u 
x-momentum Equation:   + u + v  = − +   2 + 2  (3 marks)
 t x y  x  x y 
using the above assumptions, the simplified x-momentum is written as:
 2u 1 p
= =k
y 2  x
Since there is no any applied pressure (given): k = 0
 2u
=0 (1)
y 2
The general solution of equation (1) is given as:
u( y) = c1 y + c2 (2)
Boundary conditions: (3 marks)
At y = H;  w ( L 1) = F (per unit width)
du F
 =
dy y=H
L
F
c1 =
L
At y = 0; u( y) = u g (given)
c2 = u g
Substituting the values of c1 and c2 in equation (2); we get
F u
u( y) = + u g where u g =  (4 marks)
L n
When  = 0 ; u g = 0
And the velocity profile with no slip is given as;
F
u( y) = (1 marks)
L

6. (4 Marks) A radial flow pump is used to supply water to IIT Guwahati campus through a circular pipe
having length 300 m. Based on the average flow velocity of water, the Reynolds number is calculated
as 2000. Up to an initial 50 m from the pump outlet, no support is needed for the pipe, while institute
engineer needs to calculate the wall shear stress for designing rest of the pipe line. The engineer is
reluctant to perform involved mathematical calculations; instead he wants to get an expression for the
wall shear stress, which can be related to the directly measurable parameter(s). Clearly writing the
justification(s)/steps, derive an expression of the wall shear stress. [2+2 Marks]
Solution:
Given: L = 300 m
Laminar flow with Re = 2000
Up to 50 m; no support is required.
L uang D
Entrance length for laminar flow; e = 0.05 Re and Re = 2000 =
D 
6
 Consider the 50 m distance is greater than the entrance length required for the fully developed laminar
flow region. (Assumption)

Now, equating the force balance equation in the fully developed region: (2 marks)
 Fx = 0
−( p + dp) R 2 + p R 2 −  w 2 Rdx = 0
dp 
=2 w
dx R
The expression of wall shear stress is given as: (2 marks)
R dp
w =
2 dx

7. (8 Marks) Water of kinematic viscosity,  = 1.04 x 10-6 m²/s is flowing steadily over a smooth flat
plate at zero angle of attack with a velocity 1.6 m/s. The length of the plate is 0.3 m. Assume a cubic
velocity profile calculate the following:
a) The thickness of boundary layer at 15 cm from the leading edge. [3 Marks]
b) The rate of growth of boundary layer at 15 cm from the leading edge. [2 Marks]
c) The total drag coefficient on one side of the plate. [3 Marks]
Solution:
Given:  = 1.04 x 10-6 m²/s

U  = 1.6 m/s

L = 0.3 m
u
Assume the cubic profile for velocity as: = A0 + A1 + A2 2 + A3 3
U

 = 0; u = 0 

 = 1; u = U  
Boundary conditions: A0 = 0, A1 = 3, A2 = −3, A3 = 1,
 = 1; u ' = 0 

 = 1; u '' = 0 

The cubic velocity profile using the above boundary conditions are given as:
u
= 3 − 3 2 +  3
U

Now, using the Karman momentum Integral equation over a flat plate;

7
  w d ( U 2 )  dU 
= +  U
 dx dx

dU 
For flow over the flat plate; = 0 and we get;
dx

 w d ( U 2 )
=
 dx

The value of momentum thickness is given as;


u  u  u  u 
1
 
= 1 −  dy =   1 −  d
0
U  U  0
U  U 
1
  =   (3 − 3 2 +  3 )(1 − 3 + 3 2 −  3 )d
0

3
  = 
28
Hence, the value of wall shear stress is given as;
3 d
w = U 2 (1)
28 dx
Further, for the laminar flow the wall shear stress can also be expressed as;

du 3U 
w =  = (2)
dy y =0


On equating Equations (1) and (2);

 x

  d = 28
0 0
U 
dx

7.48 x
 = 56 x U  =
Rex

U x
Where; Rex =

a) The thickness of boundary layer at 15 cm from the leading edge;
7.48 x 7.48  0.15
= = = 2.3356 mm (3 marks)
Rex 1.6  0.15
1.04 10−6
b) The rate of growth of boundary layer at 15 cm from the leading edge;
d 56 1 14 3.74
= = = = 7.7854 mm (2 marks)
dx U  2 x Rex 1.6  0.15
1.04 10−6
c) The total drag coefficient on one side of the plate;

8
 w 6 6 1.04 10−6
Cf = = = = 1.6702 mm (3 marks)
1
U 2 U  1.6  2.335 10−3
2
2nd solution with other boundary conditions (Velocity profile)
Solution:
Given:  = 1.04 x 10-6 m²/s

U  = 1.6 m/s

L = 0.3 m
u
Assume the cubic profile for velocity as: = A0 + A1 + A2 2 + A3 3
U

 = 0; u = 0 

 = 1; u = U  
Boundary conditions: A0 = 0, A1 = 3 2, A2 = 0, A3 = −1 2,
 = 1; u ' = 0 

 = 0; u '' = 0 

The cubic velocity profile using the above boundary conditions are given as:
u 3 1
=  − 3
U 2 2

Now, using the Karman momentum Integral equation over a flat plate;

 w d ( U 2 )  dU 
= +  U
 dx dx

dU 
For flow over the flat plate; = 0 and we get;
dx

 w d ( U 2 )
=
 dx

The value of momentum thickness is given as;


u   u  
1
u u
  =  1 −  dy =   1 −  d
0
U  U  0
U  U 
3  
1
1 3 1
  =     −  3 1 −  +  3 d
0  
2 2 2 2
39
  = 
280
Hence, the value of wall shear stress is given as;
39 d
w = U 2 (1)
280 dx
Further, for the laminar flow the wall shear stress can also be expressed as;

9
 du 3 U 
w =  = (2)
dy y =0
2 

On equating Equations (1) and (2);


280 
x

  d = 13
0 0
U 
dx

280  x 4.6409 x
= =
13 U  Rex

U x
Where; Rex =

d) The thickness of boundary layer at 15 cm from the leading edge;
4.6409 x 4.6409  0.15
= = = 1.449 mm (3 marks)
Rex 1.6  0.15
1.04 10−6
e) The rate of growth of boundary layer at 15 cm from the leading edge;
d 280  1 70 13 2.320477
= = = = 4.83045 mm (2 marks)
dx 13 U  2 x Rex 1.6  0.15
1.04 10−6
f) The total drag coefficient on one side of the plate;
w 3 3 1.04 10−6
Cf = = = = 1.34575 mm (3 marks)
1
U 2 U  1.6 1.449 10−3
2

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