226 Chapter 7 Two-dimensional Ideal Flow

Where abrupt changes of the outer boundary occur, such as at points B and C, it
can be seen that the streamline AA′D cannot follow the contour and separates from
the boundary. At B, where the streamline turns towards the fluid, the velocity at the
separation area will be zero and the fluid trapped there will be stagnant. At point C,
the streamline turns away from the fluid, indicating high velocity in the separation
bubble. This velocity is spent in rotation of considerable vigour. Certainly, therefore,
the assumption of irrotational flow is not valid there. In general, then, wherever the
streamlines diverge or converge abruptly, separation may occur. Because GFE is
smooth and converging, no separation will occur there. Should, however, the flow
direction be reversed, although the flow net would remain the same, separation might
be expected downstream of F due to the divergence of flow. Separation phenomena
are discussed fully in Chapter 11 in connection with boundary layer.
Constructing flow nets is a useful exercise which requires a lot of patience and
experience. The alternative is to use precise mathematical expressions for stream
function and velocity potential describing the flow from which a flow net can be
plotted exactly. The following sections of this chapter deal with such mathematical
expressions for some basic flows which may then be combined to represent more
complex flow patterns.

EXAMPLE 7.1 In a two-dimensional incompressible flow the fluid velocity components are given by
vx = x − 4y and vy = −y − 4x. Show that the flow satisfies the continuity equation and
obtain the expression for the stream function. If the flow is potential, obtain also the
expression for the velocity potential.

Solution
For two-dimensional incompressible flow, the continuity equation is

v v
−−−−x + −−−−y = 0,
x y
but vx = x − 4y and vy = −y − 4x,
v v
and −−−−x = 1, −−−−y = – 1 ;
x y

therefore, 1 − 1 = 0 and the flow satisfies the continuity equation.

To obtain the stream function, using equations (7.10),

Ψ
v x = −−−− = x – 4 y, (I)
y
Ψ
v y = – −−−− = – ( y + 4x ) . (II)
x

Therefore, from (I),

Ψ= ( x – 4y ) dy + f ( x ) + C

= xy − 2y 2 + f (x) + C.
 7.5 Relationship between stream function and velocity potential. Flow nets 227

But, if Ψ0 = 0 at x = 0 and y = 0, which means that the reference streamline passes

through the origin, then C = 0 and

Ψ = xy − 2y 2 + f (x). (III)

To determine f (x), differentiate partially the above expression with respect to x

and equate to −vy, equation (II):

Ψ
−−−− = y + −−− f ( x ) = y + 4 x,
x x

f( x) = 4x dx = 2x 2 .

Substitute into (III),

Ψ = 2x 2 + xy − 2y2.

To check whether the flow is potential, there are two possible approaches:
(a) Since

v v
−−−−y – −−−−x = 0,
x y

but

vy = −(4x + y) and vx = (x − 4y),

therefore,

v v
−−−−y = – 4 and −−−−x = – 4 ,
x y

so that

v v
−−−−y – −−−−x = – 4 + 4 = 0
x y

and the flow is potential.

(b) Laplace’s equation must be satisfied:
2
Ψ 2
Ψ
−−−−−2 + −−−−−2 = 0,
x y
Ψ = 2x 2 + xy − 2y 2.

Therefore,

Ψ Ψ
−−−− = 4x + y and −−−− = x – 4 y,
x y
2
Ψ 2
Ψ
−−−−−2 = 4 and −−−−−2 = – 4 .
x y
228 Chapter 7 Two-dimensional Ideal Flow

Therefore 4 − 4 = 0 and so the flow is potential.

Now, to obtain the velocity potential,

Φ
−−−− = v x = x – 4 y;
x

therefore,

Φ= ( x – 4y ) dx + f ( y ) + G .

But Φ0 = 0 at x = 0 and y = 0, so that G = 0. Therefore

Φ = x2 2 − 4yx + f( y).

Differentiating with respect to y and equating to vy,

Φ d
−−−− = – 4x + −−− f ( y ) = – ( 4x + y )
y dy
d y2
−−− f ( y ) = – y and f ( y ) = – −− ,
dy 2

so that

Φ = x 2 2 − 4yx − y 2 2.

7.6 STRAIGHT LINE FLOWS AND THEIR COMBINATIONS

The simplest flow patterns are those in which the streamlines are all straight lines
parallel to each other (Fig. 7.12).

FIGURE 7.12
Rectilinear flow