4 Concepts of Fluid Flow

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Description of Fluid Motion

4.2.1 Lagrangian Approach V.S. Eulerian Approach

4.2.2 Control Volume

4.2.3 Flow Patterns

4.3 Types of Flow

4.3.1 Uniform Flow and Non-uniform Flow

4.3.2 Steady Flow and Unsteady Flow

4.3.3 Real Flow and Ideal Flow

4.3.4 One-, Two- and Three-Dimensional Flow

4.4 Flow Rate and Mean Velocity

4.5 Acceleration

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4 Concepts of Fluid Flow

4.1 Introduction

Concept.
Fluid Mechanics solve many civil engineering problems such as
(1) The distribution of potable water
(2) The collection of domestic sewage and storm water
(3) The wave actions on offshore structures

4.2 Description of Fluid Motion

Concept.
The particles of fluid can move independently of each other.

There are two common approach for describing the displacement, velocity, and
acceleration.

1 Lagrangian Approach: Using a fluid particle approach

2 Eulerian Approach: Using a control volume approach

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4.2.1 Lagrangian Approach V.S. Eulerian Approach

Concept.
Lagrangian Approach

‘Description of motion where individual particles as observed as a function of time.’

In this approach, we focus on the individual particle’s motion. Time as function, to observe
the particles flowing.

Disadvantage of Lagrangian Approach:

It is difficult to analysis since there are extreme large number of particles.

Concept.
Eulerian Approach

‘Description of motion where the flow properties are functions of both space and time.’

In this approach, we focus on a whole flow field at any position and time.

Describe the particles happening at the positions [ x , y , z ] at a time t. Therefore, it can

find the velocity, acceleration, momentum, and energy of the particles.

Eulerian Approach is a common for solving the problems of fluid mechanics since the
physical laws are easier to apply to actual situations.

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4.2.2 Control Volume

Concept.
Control Volume is a purely imaginary area within a body of flowing fluid, which is located
in space, and the matter can pass this volume.

It can be of any shape. The selection of the control volume position and shape depends on
the problem.

Control volume is enclosed by the control surface.

Control volume can deform with time and move and rotate in space. The mass in the
control volume can change with time.

Therefore,

Only forces acting externally on the control volume have to be considered.

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4.2.3 Flow Patterns

Concept.
The most common methods to identify velocity of flow are path lines, streak lines and
streamlines.

Path lines: Trace the position of a particle at successive intervals of time starting from a
given point.

Streak lines: Trace of all particles that have previously passed through a common point.

Streamlines: An imaginary curve that is tangential to the velocity vectors of a connected

series of fluid particles.

In steady flow, these all lines are identical. However, they are all different in unsteady
flow.

The streamlines are always tangential to the flow and there is no flow across a streamline.

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4.3 Types of Flow

4.3.1 Uniform Flow and Non-uniform Flow

Concept.
In uniform flow, the velocity (including its magnitude and direction) does not change from
one point to another along any of the streamlines in the flow flied.

Both area and velocity of the flow must be the same at every cross-section.

The streamlines must be straight and parallel.

It will be changed the direction of the flow if streamlines are not straight.

It will be changed the magnitude of the flow if the streamlines are not parallel.

Concept.
In non-uniform flow, the velocity changes from point to point along streamlines.

Concept.
Uniform flow can be defined as:
dV
=0
ds

Non-uniform flow can be defined as :

dV
≠0
ds

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 V = velocity of flow
S = position measuring along a streamline

4.3.2 Steady Flow and Unsteady Flow

Concept.
Steady flow is the velocity at any point in the flow field does not change with respect to
time.

dV
=0
dt

Unsteady flow is the velocity at a point changes over time.

dV
≠0
dt
V = velocity of flow
t = time of study

Concept.
If the pipe is with a constant diameter, the flow is uniform and steady.

Most the civil engineering hydraulic problems are concerned with steady flow.

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4.3.3 Real Flow and Ideal Flow

Concept.
Ideal flow is the fluid, which has no viscosity.

Real flow is the fluid with viscosity. The shear stresses between neighbour fluid particles
will be developed.

If a real flow passes a boundary, the velocity of real flow is equal to the velocity of a
contact with the boundary immediately.

The velocity of continuous layers of fluid will increase as moving away from the boundary.

Concept.
Boundary layer: The part of the flowing adjoining the boundary when there is change of
velocity.

In boundary layer, shear stresses will be developed, which is between the layers of fluid
moving with different velocities as a result of viscosity.

The thickness of the boundary layer is defined as:

The distance from the boundary at which the velocity becomes equal to 99% of the free stream
velocity.

The shear stresses due to the boundary can be ignored if the fluid as an ideal fluid.

The boundary layer is comparatively thin, and it can assume as an ideal fluid if the fluid
velocity is high and the viscosity is low. It greatly simplified the analysis of the flow and
still leads to useful results.

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4.3.4 One-, Two- and Three-Dimensional Flow

Concept.
Three-dimensional flow is the fluid flow, which there is no obstruction or channelling.

Two-dimensional flow is the fluid flow, which the velocity of flow in one co-ordinate
direction has no changes.

One-dimensional flow is the fluid flow, which the velocity of flow is constant across each
section but changes in only one direction.

The average flow in a pipe can be considered as one-dimensional.

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4.4 Flow Rate and Mean Velocity

Concept.
Flow rate/ Discharge: The quantity of fluid flowing per unit time across any section.

For volume flow rate, unit: m 3 /s .

For weight flow rate, unit:kN /s .
For mass flow rate, unit:kg / s

In dealing with incompressible fluids, volume flow rate is commonly used.

In dealing with compressible fluids, mass flow rate or weight are easily to use.

Concept.
In a real fluid, the velocity near to a solid boundary will be zero.

Q=∫ V ∙ dA
Q = Volume flow rate(m 3 /s )
V = Velocity of flow(m/s )
dA = Area normal to the direction of velocity(m 2)

If the velocity of flow is constant,

Q=V × A

The velocity of the flow

Q
V́ =
A
V́ = The average velocity/ mean velocity

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4.5 Acceleration

Concept.
In Eulerian system, the velocity is function which there are four independent variables: x,
y, z, t.

V =u i⃗ + v ⃗j+ w ⃗k

The velocity changes

∂V ∂V ∂V ∂V
d V= ∆t+ ∆ x+ ∆ y+ ∆z
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z

∂V ∂V ∂V ∂V
❑ dV = ∆t+ ∆ x+ ∆ y+ ∆z
⇒ ∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z

dx dy dz
let u= , v= , w=
dt dt dy

∂ ∂ ∂
{∇= i+
∂x ∂ y ∂ z
j+ k
V =ui+ vj+ wk

D ∂
❑ = +V ∙∇
⇒ Dt ∂t

Therefore, the acceleration

DV ∂V
❑ = +( V ∙ ∇ ) V
⇒ Dt ∂t

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