Chapter VI

POTENTIAL FLOW and LIFT &DRAG

Dr. Huynh Cong Hoai -HCMUT
6.1 DEFINITIONS
  
1. Angular motion  i j k 
 1  
Rotation vector  Rot (u ) = 1    
2 2  x y z 
u uy u z 
 x

1  u u  1  ux uz  1  u u 
x   z  y  y     z   y  x 
2  y z  2  z x  2  x y 
1  uy ux 
For flow in plane (xoy) x  0 y  0 z    
2  x y 

 1 
Irrotational flow  Rot (u )  0 x  0 y  0 z  0
2
The requirement for irrotational flow in plane (xoy)
1  uy ux  uy ux
z  0 z    0  0
2  x y  x y

2. Velocity potential and potential flow

when the velocity components of flow in plane xoy can be expressed in term of scalar
function (x,y) as
  
ux  uy  or u  grad 
x y
(x,y) called velocity potential
In polar coordinate, (r,) is defined
 1 
ur  ; u  ;
r r  y

3. Potential flow u
u ur
The flow having the potential flow is called y
potential flow r

The potential flow is an irrotational flow 

o x x
The rotation of fluid elements
 1  Polar coordinate
  Rot (u )
2
 1 irrotational flow
 Rot ( grad  )  0
2
uy ux
Condition for a flow is a potential when it is an irrotational flow  0
x y

1
 Velocity potential satisfies Laplace’s equation
 2  2
 0 Laplace’s equation
x 2 y 2
When  = const. Equipotential line

3. Stream Function and stream line

If we define a function (x,y) (called stream function) which relates to the velocity
ux, uy as
 
ux  ; uy  
y x

y
In the polar coordinate,  (r, ) : u
u ur
1   y
ur  ; u   r
r  r

o x x

Polar coordinate

Some properties of stream function

- When (x,y) = C Streamline

(x,y) = C

o
x
- The volume flow rate (q) between of two streamlines (x,y) = A and (x,y) =
B can be determined as q = B - A

B

y
q

x A

For the potential flow, stream function satisfies Laplace’s equation

 2    0 Laplace’s equation

2
6.3 SOME BASIC PLANE POTENTIAL FLOW
1. Uniform flow y 1 2 3 4
4
5
u x  Uo uy  0
U0
 1  3 4
 Rot (u ) U0
2 3 3
1  u y u x  U0
2D flow: z     2 2
2  x y  U0

z  0 irrotational flow Potential flow

1 Uo 1
U0
x
Velocity potential : (x,y) 1 2 3 4
U0 U0 U0 U0
  d
ux   U0  U0   U0 x  C   U0x
x x dx
 
uy  0   (x)
y y

Stream function :  (x,y)

  d
ux   U0  U0   U0 y  C =Uoy
y y dy

 
uy   0    (y)
x x

2. Source and sink

Consider a fluid flowing radially outward from the point ( source) in x-y plane. Let
q be volume flowrate. (q is called strength of source) y
From the continuity equation
q
ur  u  0
2r
q q x q x y  ur
u x  u r cos   cos    r
2r 2r r 2 x 2  y 2  
q q y q y q x
u y  u r sin   sin    x
2r 2r r 2 x  y 2
2
 

Rot u  0
Velocity potential : In polar coordinate (r,)
q
In Polar coordinates  Ln r
2
q
In Cartersian coordinates 
4

Ln x 2  y 2 
Stream function : in polar coordinates (r,)
q q y
  In Cartersian coordinates  ac tan
2 2 x

3
 Equipotential line
q
 Ln r
2
q 2 1 2 1
1  Ln r q The circle with the center
2 re at o and radius of r re q

q
Stream line :  
2
q 21
1    The radial line with the angle of 
2 q
y y
3 4 3
4 2 2

r 1 r 1
5 o o
x x
1  1 
2 2
3 3
6
7 8

Source q Sink : the flow toward the origin -q

3. Vortex: The flow in which the stream lines are concentric circles and the
tangential velocity varies inversely with the distance from the origin.

u  ur  0
2r

 : circulation (constant) u 
r 2r
This is a potential flow o

Velocity potential

y

In polar coordinates   3
2 4
2
  y
In Cartesian coordinates  arctg  
2 x
1 2 3 1
Stream function O x
 >0: xoaùy
In polar coordinates   ln( r ) döông
2 

In Cartesian coordinates   ln( x 2  y 2 )
4

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4. Doublet
Source y Sink
Consider the equal strength (q, -q), source sink pair
as shown in fig
The distance between the source and sink is  q -q
/2 /2
Doublet is defined as o x

 0 and  q mo ( strength of doublet)

Velocity potential
m0  x  y
 ( x, y ) 
2  x 2  y 2 

m 0 cos
In the polar coordinate 
2r
o x
Similarly , the stream function
 m0 y
 
2 x 2  y 2 
m 0 sin 
In the polar coordinate  
2r

The streamlines and equipotential lines of doublet are shown in fig.

Homeworks : 1) 6.7, 2) 6.12, 3) 6.14, 4) 6.15, 5) 6.16, 6) 6.18

q q q

mocos  mosin  mocos 

mosin 

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 6.4 SUPERPOSITION OF BASIC , PLANE POTENTAL FLOW

Potential flows are

Various basic velocity potentials and stream
governed by Laplace’s
functions can be combined to form new
equation
potentials and stream functions

1. Source in uniform flow-Half body

Velocity Potential
Uniform flow + source q
 = u+ s = U o x  Ln( x 2  y 2 ) (In Cartesian coordinate)
4
 = u+ s = U o r cos   q Lnr (In polar coordinate)
2

Stream Function
q q y
=  u+ s = U o y  arctan( ) (In Cartesian coordinate)
2 x
q (In polar coordinate)
Uo  = u+ s = U o r sin   
2

Velocity components  q
ur   U o cos  
q r 2r
  U o r cos   Lnr
2 1  1
u    U o r sin
S    U o sin 
r  r
Stagnation point S: the point has the velocity equal zero
haft body
  q
 q  q
Let :ur = 0 and uθ =0 S  ,  
2U 2 2
 q   o  Stagnation point
Replacing S  ,   Into stream function
2U
 o  q/(2Uo)
q q
  U o r sin    
2 2 

Plot the stream line

q q
U o r sin   
2 2 q
2 U o

The combination of a uniform flow and

a source can be used to describe the
flow around a haft body

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2. Flow around a circular cylinder
y

x
Uniform flow (Uo) + doublet (m0) o

Uo

Velocity Potential Stream Function

In Cartesian coordinate In Cartesian coordinate
m0  x  m y
 = u+ d = U o x  =  u+ d = U 0 y  0 2 2
2  x 2  y 2  2 x  y
In polar coordinate In polar coordinate
 = u+ d = U 0r cos   m0 cos   = u+ d = U 0r sin  
m0 sin 
2r 2r
 m0   m 
 cos  U 0r    sin  U 0r  0 
 2r   2r 

From stream function streamlines

 m 
  sin  U 0r  0 
 2r 
 m 
Plot the streamline ψ = 0 sin  U 0 r  0   0
 2r  = 0
 m  m0
U 0 r  0   0 r A
 2r  2U 0
q
D C
= 2
Streamline ψ = 0 is circle with the center at O  =2 B

Then streamlines for  = 1,  = 2, …. can Uo

be plotted as shown in fig.

Thus , a uniform flow combined with a doublet could be used to represent flow around a
circular cylinder
If the radius of cylinder is ro, the doublet will have the strength mo as
m0  2U 0 r02

and the velocity potential and stream function for flow around the circular cylinder (r0)
are expressed as
 r2   r2 
  u o r cos  1  02    u o r sin  1  02 
 r   r 
Application: flow passing a pier, Wind passing chimney

7
3. Flow around a circular cylinder combined with a free vortex
Flow around a circular cylinder r0
 r02   r02 
 C  U o r cos  1    C  u o r sin  1  

 r 2   r2 
r0
 
Free vortex : V   V  ln( r )
2 2
Flow around cylinder + free vortex
Uo
Velocity potential Stream function
 r02    r02  
   C  V  U o r cos  1       C   V  u o r sin  1   ln(r )
 r 2  2  r 2  2
  4r0U 0 2 stagnation points
  4r0U 0 1 stagnation point
  4r0U 0 There is no stagnation point on cylinder surface ( stagnation point
is located away from the cylinder surface)

0   4r0U 0   4r0U 0   4r0U 0

The resultant force developed on cylinder surface ( per unit of length)

Fx  0
Fy
Fy   U 0 
(Kutta – Jouskowky law)

The lift Fy is called Magnus effect

Home work: (From page 167) 1)3.19 2) 3.21 3) 3.24

8
 LIFT AND DRAG
Dr. Huỳnh công Hoài - HCMUT
Fluid flow over solid bodies or solid body moving
frequently occurs in practice, and it is responsible for
drag – lift force. Such as drag force acting on
automobiles, power lines, trees.. and the lift
developed by automobiles , airplane wing…

6.1 BOUNDARY LAYER

1. Definite of boundary layer

Boundary layer is the layer of fluid in the

immediate vicinity of a bounding surface
where the effects of viscosity are important

The thickness of boundary layer () is defined as the

distance from the wall to the point where the velocity u is
99% of the velocity of main stream (the velocity in the
middle of the pipe or river)

In the boundary layer the effects of viscosity are

important

2. Boundary layer of flow past a flat plate and a cylinder

Flow past a flat plate Considering a flow past the flat plate parallel to the
Viscous effects upstream with the length of l and various Re=Ul/.
important
a) Re=Ul/ = 0,1 (small) : the viscous effects are
relatively strong . The thickness of boundary layer is
large

Viscous effects
important

b) Re=Ul/ = 10 (moderate ) : the region in which

viscous effects become smaller

Viscous effects c) Re=Ul/ = 107 (large) : the boundary layer is thin,

important and the thickness of boundary is increasing in the
direction of flow, starting from zero at the leading edge
of the plate.
The floe within in boundary layer may be laminar or
turbulent

9
 Flow past a cylinder Considering a flow past a cylinder with the
diameter of D and various Re=UD/.
a) Re=UD/ = 0,1 (small) :
Viscous effects are felt
throughout a relatively large
portion of the flow feild

a)
b) Re=UD/ = 50 (moderate) :
The region ahead of the cylinder
in which viscous effects are
important become smaller. The
flow separate from the body at the
back
b)
c) Re=UD/ = 105 (large) : The
boundary layer is thin and the
region of viscous effects is
extending far downstream of the
cylinder

c)

3. Boundary layer characteristics

Considering the development of boundary layer on the flat plate:

- The thickness of boundary increasing in the direction of the flow
- In the beginning of plate, the laminar flow within the boundary layer
- After the region of laminar flow, the turbulent flow within the boundary
- In the region of boundary layer, the gradient velocity is large and effect of
vicousity is important
- Outside the region of boundary layer, effect of viscousity is not important.

10
6.2 DRAG AND LIFT
1. Lift and drag concept
Any object moves through a fluid, an interaction between
the object and fluid occurs. This interaction generates the L
force acting on the object. The resultant force in the D
direction of upstream velocity is termed drag D, and the
resultant force normal to the upstream velocity is term
the lift L

Considering a foil moving in fluid

a) Pressure force

b) Viscous force

c) Resultant force lift (L) and drag (D)

2. Drag and drag coefficient :

Drag:
Drag is a net force in the direction of flow due to the pressure and shear forces on the
surface of object.
Drag can be determined by theory for the objects which have the simple shape. Most
of drag is determined from the experiment and bases on the drag coefficient CD :

CD : Drag Coefficient FD: Drag  : Density of fluid

A: characteristic area of body.
A is one of the following, as per convention
(1) A = frontal area = project area on a plan normal to U. This is used foe blunt (bluff)
shaped objects such as spheres, cylinders, cars, trains
(2) A = planform area = area of body as seen above. This is used for thin , flat, surfaces
where friction forces are predominant as for example flat plate flow, airplane wing,
hydrofoils.
(3)A = wetted area. Customarily this is used for water crafts such as boat, barges and
ships.

11
Drag coefficient CD is a function of

- Shape of object
- Reynolds number objech
- Mach number ( U/c) (c : Velocity of sound)
- Froude number
- Roughness of surface of object

Drag coefficient of common geometries

Drag Coefficients of Vehicles

Mercedes Ben A
class CD = 0,22,
one of lowest CD
Drag coefficient of car

12
Example 1: The drag coefficient of a car at the design conditions of air density ρ= 1,2
kg/m3 and 100 km/h is to be determined experimentally in a large wind tunnel in a
fullscale test as shown in figure. The frontal area of the car is 2 m2. If the force acting on
the car in the flow direction is measured to be 30kgf, determine the drag coefficient of
this car. (After Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications By Yunus A. Cengel,
John M.Cimbala)

Solution The drag force acting on a body and the

drag coefficient are given by
Wind tunnel
100km/s

Some drag coefficients

Re : small
Re  1

Re : large

b : length of object .

13
14
 Example 2:
26,82 m/s
(= 1,2 kg/m3, = 1,51.10-5)

Solution
U=26,82
m/s
26,82.12,2/(1,51.10-5)=2,167. 107

Ds=12,2m
26,82. 4,6/(1,51.10-5)=8.17.106
DC=4,6m
b= 15,2 m

Fig.1
= ½ .1,2 . 26,822./4.12,22 .0,3=15135,59 N

= ½ .1,2 . 26,822.15,2. 4,6 .0,7 =21123,61N

= 15135.59. (15,2 + 12,2/2) + 21123.61. (15,2/2) =482927,72Nm

Example 3: A 2-m-long, 0.2-m-diameter cylindrical pine log (density ρLog= 513 kg/m3) is
suspended by a crane in the horizontal position. The log is subjected to normal winds of 40
km/h (density ρair = = 1,103 kg/m3 .) and the drag coefficient for the cylinder CD = 1,2.
Disregarding the weight of the cable and its drag, determine the angle θ the cable will make
with the horizontal and the tension on the cable
(After Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications By Yunus A. Cengel, J. M.Cimbala)
Solution
Drag force acting on the log

= 32,7 N
The weight of the log is
Flog
FD =
θ
W R
The resultant force acting on the log and the angle it makes with the horizontal become
= 318 N

= 9,66 θ= 84o

15
Example 4: A 2-m-high, 4-m-wide rectangular advertisement panel is attached to a 4-m-
wide, 0,15-m-high rectangular concrete block (density ρ=2300 kg/m3) by two 5-cm-diameter,
4-m-high (exposed part) poles, as shown in figure. If the sign is to withstand 150 km/h winds
from any direction and the drag coefficient is CD = 0,3 for a circular rod, CD = 2,0 for a thin
rectangular plate. Determine (a) the maximum drag force on the panel, (b) the drag force
acting on the poles, and (c) the minimum length L of the concrete block for the panel to resist
the winds. Take the density of air to be 1,30 kg/m3.
(After Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications By Yunus A. Cengel, J. M.Cimbala)
Solution The drag force acting on the panel is

FD, panel = = 18000 N

The drag force acting on each pole is

FD, pole = 68 N

The drag force acting on both poles is 68 × 2 = 136 N

B The weight of the concrete block is
W=ρgV= (2300)(9,81)(L.4 . 0,15 m)= 13540L (N)
A
Taking the moment about side AB and setting it equal to zero gives
L
Substituting and solving for L gives
18000×5.15 +136× 2.15 −13540 L× L / 2 = 0 → L = 3.70 m

3. Lift and lift coefficient

When the object is not symmetrical object, it will not produce the symmetrical flow
field and the net force will be normal to the free stream.
Similarly in drag, lift coefficient is defined as following

FL
V

CL : Lift coefficient FL : lift

 : Density of fluid A : characteristic area
CL = f (shape, Re, Ma, Fr, /l )

FL

Pressure distribution on the surface of an automobile and lift force.

16
Lift on an airfoil

Definition of various terms associated with an airfoil.

For airfoils, the contribution of

viscous effects to lift is usually
negligible since wall shear is parallel
to the surfaces and thus nearly normal
to the direction of lift.

Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3i_XHlVCeU

The lift and drag characteristics of an

airfoil during takeoff and landing can
be changed by changing the shape of
the airfoil by the use of movable flaps.

Effect of flaps on the lift and drag coefficients of airfoil

From Abbott and von Doenhoff, for NACA 23012(1959).

17
 Example 4:
A small airplane has the weight of W = 10 kN, total wind area of 25 m2 and a take off
speed of 90 km/h. The lift and drag coefficient of the wind for a small angles of attack can
be approximated as CL = 0,11α and CD = 0,002 + 0,0025α, where α = angel of attack in
degrees. Determine the power required at the take off (density of air ρa = 1.2 kg/m3)
(Ans: 6,15 kW)
(After Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications By Yunus A. Cengel, J. M.Cimbala)

Solution
For the airplane taking off : W = FL  W = CLρAV2/2
CL = W/(ρAV2/2)
CL = 10000/(1.2*25*(90*1000/3600)^2/2) =1.06666N
CL = 0.11α α = CL /0.11 α = 1.06666 /0.11 = 9.696973
CD = 0.002 + 0.0025α
CD = 0.002 + 0.0025*9.696973 = 0.026242433
FD = CD ρAV2/2
= 0.026242433*1.2*25*(90*1000/3600)^2/2 =246.0228094N
Power required : P = FD.V = 246.0228094*(90*1000/3600)/1000 = 6.15057 kW

Example 5: A commercial airplane has a total mass of 70000 kg and a wing planform
area of 150 m2.The plane has a cruising speed of 558 km/h and a cruising altitude of 12000 m,
where the air density is 0,312 kg/m3 (density of air on the ground is 1,20 kg/m3) The plane has
double-slotted flaps for use during takeoff and landing, but it cruises with all flaps retracted.
Assuming the lift and the drag characteristics of the wings can be approximated by NACA
23012 (Figure). Determine (a) the minimum safe speed for takeoff and landing with and
without extending the flaps, (b) the angle of attack to cruise steadily at the cruising altitude,
and (c) the power that needs to be supplied to provide enough thrust to overcome wing drag.
(After Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications By Yunus A. Cengel, J. M.Cimbala)
Solution a) The weight of the airplane are
W = mg = (70,000 kg)(9.81 m/s2)=686700 N
The minimum velocities corresponding to the stall
conditions, CLmax (refer the chart)
Without and with flaps: , CDmax1 = 1,52 CDmax1 = 3,48
For takeoff, total weight W of the aircraft be equal to lift
W = FL = ρ ACLV2/2

Without flap

With flap

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b) Cruising speed of the airplane
V = 558 . 1000/3600 = 155 m/s
When an aircraft is cruising steadily at a constant altitude, the lift must be equal to the
weight of the aircraft, FL = W. Then the lift coefficient is determined to be

=1,22

For the case with no flaps, the angle of attack corresponding to this value of CL is
determined from the chart to be : α = 10o
c) When the aircraft is cruising steadily at a constant altitude, the net forceacting on the
aircraft is zero, and thus thrust provided by the engines must be equal to the drag force.
The drag coefficient corresponding to the cruising lift coefficient of 1.22 is determined
from chart to be CD = 0,03 for the case with no flaps. Then the drag force acting on the
wings becomes:
=16,9 kN

The power required to overcome this drag is equal to the thrust times the cruising
velocity:
Power = Thrust x Velocity = FDV = (16.9)(155) = 2620 kW

Homeworks: (page 365) 1)9.10, 2)9.13, 3)9.15, 4)9.23, 5)9.24

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