Example 1 Consider the steady, two-dimensional velocity field given by V = ( u, v ) = (1.3 + 2.8 x ) i + (1.5 2.8 y ) j .

. Verify that this flow field is incompressible.

Solution of Example 1:
u v Check if x + y = 0 ? u = 2.8 u = 1.3 + 2.8 x , x v = 2.8 v = 1.5 2.8 y , y u v Since x + y = 0 , the given

flow field is incompressible.

Example 2 The u velocity component of a steady, two-dimensional, 2 incompressible flow field is u = ax bxy , where a and b are constants. Velocity component v is unknown. Generate an expression for v as a function of x and y.

Solution of Example 2:
u v Since x + y = 0 v u = = 2ax + by y x

Integrate with respect to y:

1 v = 2axy + by 2 + f ( x ) 2

Example 3 Consider fully developed, two-dimensional channel flowflow between two infinite parallel plates separated by distance h, with both the top plate and bottom plate stationary, and a forced pressure gradient dP/dx driving the flow as illustrated in the figure. (dP/dx is constant and negative.) The flow is steady, incompressible, and twodimensional in the xy-plane. The velocity components are 2 given by u = (1 2 )( dP dx ) ( y hy ) and v = 0 , where is the fluids viscosity. Generate an expression for stream function along the vertical dashed line in the Figure. For convenience, let = 0 along the bottom wall of the channel. What is the value of along the top wall?

Solution of Example 3: Start with the definition of stream function:

1 dP 2 y hy ) =u = ( y 2 dx

Integrate with respect to y:

1 dP y 3 y2 = h + g ( x) 2 dx 3 2

Use the definition of stream function again:

0=v=

g ( x) = C

= g ( x) x

So the stream function is

1 dP y 3 y2 = h +C 2 dx 3 2

Use the BC for to determine the constant C = 0 along y = 0 : C = 0 So the stream function is
1 dP y 3 y2 = h 2 dx 3 2

Stream function along the top wall y = h :

top =
1 dP 3 h 12 dx

Example 4 As a follow-up to Example 3, calculate the volume flow rate per unit width into the page of Figure 3 from first principles (integration of the velocity field). Compare your result to that obtained directly from the stream function. Discuss.

Solution of Example 4: Integrate the velocity along y direction to obtain the volume flow rate:
Q = udA =
A y =h y =0

1 dP 2 ( y hy )Wdy . 2 dx
y =h

1 dP y 3 y2 1 dP h3 = h W = W 2 dx 3 2 2 dx y =0 6 1 dP 3 hW = 12 dx

Where W is the width of the channel into the page. So the volume flow rate per unit width
Q 1 dP 3 h = W 12 dx

The volume flow rate per unit width obtained directly from the stream function according to Example 3:
Q 1 dP 3 1 dP 3 = top bottom = h 0 = h W 12 dx 12 dx

Results from both approaches agree.