FLUID MECHANICS

Objectives:

To define the term of fluid

To develop understanding of shear stress in a moving fluid
To know differences between fluids and solids, Newtonian and Nonnewtonian fluids
To know the fluid properties such as density, specific density, etc.

Fluid Mechanics - Introduction

Fluid Mechanics is that section of applied mechanics, concerned with the statics and
dynamics of liquids and gases.
Fluid Statics: Which treats fluids in the equilibrium state of no shear stress
Fluid Mechanics: Which treats when portions of fluid are in motion relative to other
parts.

Chapter 1 Fluids and their properties

1.1 Fluids
In everyday life, we recognize three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Although
different in many respects, liquids and gases have a common characteristic in which they
differ from solids: they are fluids, lacking the ability of solids to offer a permanent
resistance to a deforming force.

Fig. 1. Deformation caused by shearing forces

Definition: A fluid is a substance which deforms continuously under the action of
shearing forces, however small they may be.
Conversely, it follows that:

If a fluid is at rest, there can be no shearing forces acting and, therefore, all forces in the
fluid must be perpendicular to the planes upon which they act.
1.2 Shear stress in a moving fluid

Fig.2 Variation of velocity with distance from a solid boundary

Newtons law of viscosity

du
dy

where = shear stress, = dynamic viscosity

1.3 Differences between solids and fluids:
The differences between the behaviours of solids and fluids under an applied force are as
follows:
i.
ii.

For a solid, the strain is a function of the applied stress, providing that the
elastic limit is not exceeded. For a fluid, the rate of strain is proportional to the
applied stress.
The strain in a solid is independent of the time over which the force is applied
and, if the elastic limit is not exceeded, the deformation disappears when the
force is removed. A fluid continues to flow as long as the force is applied and
will not recover its original form when the force is removed.

1.4 Newtonian and Non-newtonian fluids

Newtonian fluids:
Fluids which obey the Newton's law of viscosity are called as
Newtonian fluids.
Newton's law of viscosity is given by
= dv/dy
where = shear stress
= viscosity of fluid
dv/dy = shear rate, rate of strain or velocity gradient

Fig. 3 Variation of shear stress with velocity gradient

Non-Newtonian fluids:
Fluids which do not obey the Newton's law of viscosity are
called as non-Newtonian fluids.
Generally non-Newtonian fluids are complex mixtures: slurries, pastes, gels,
polymer solutions etc.,
Plastic,
Bingham-plastic: Resist a small shear stress but flow easily under larger shear stresses.
e.g. tooth-paste, jellies, and some slurries.
Pseudo-plastic: Most non-Newtonian fluids fall into this group. Viscosity decreases with
increasing velocity gradient. e.g. polymer solutions, blood. Pseudoplastic fluids are also
called as Shear thinning fluids. At low shear rates(du/dy) the shear thinning fluid is more
viscous than the Newtonian fluid, and at high shear rates it is less viscous.
Dilatant fluids: Viscosity increases with increasing velocity gradient. They are
uncommon, but suspensions of starch and sand behave in this way. Dilatant fluids are
also called as shear thickening fluids.

Time dependent behaviors:

Those which are dependent upon duration of shear.
Thixotropic fluids: for which the dynamic viscosity decreases with the time for which
shearing forces are applied. e.g. thixotropic jelly paints.
Rheopectic fluids: Dynamic viscosity increases with the time for which shearing forces
are applied. e.g. gypsum suspension in water.
Visco-elastic fluids: Some fluids have elastic properties, which allow them to spring back
when a shear force is released. e.g. egg white.
1.8 Density
1.8.1 Mass density
Mass density is defined as the mass of the substance per unit volume.
Units: kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3)
1.8.2 Specific weight
Specific weight w is defined as the weight per unit volume.
w = g
Units: Newtons per cubic meter (Nm-3)
1.8.3 Relative density
Relative density is defined as the ratio of mass density of a substance to some standard
mass density.
= substance/ water at 4C
Units: no units
1.8.4 Specific volume
Specific volume is defined as the reciprocal of mass density.
1.9 Viscosity
1.9.1 Coefficient of dynamic viscosity
The coefficient of dynamic viscosity can be defined as the shear force per unit area (or
shear stress) required to drag one layer of fluid with unit velocity past another layer a unit
distance away from it in the fluid.
Units: Newton seconds per square meter (N s m-2)

1.9.2 Kinematic viscosity

Kinematic viscosity is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to mass density.
= /
Units: square meter per second (m2/s)