Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations

C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 1 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_02
A viscous, incompressible, Newtonian liquid flows in steady, laminar, planar flow down a vertical wall. The
thickness, o, of the liquid film remains constant. Since the liquid free surface is exposed to atmospheric pressure,
there is no pressure gradient in the liquid film. Furthermore, the air provides a negligible resistance to the motion of
the fluid.

1. Determine the velocity distribution for this gravity driven flow. Clearly state all assumptions and boundary
conditions.
2. Determine the shear stress acting on the wall by the fluid.
3. Determine the maximum velocity of the fluid.


















Answer(s):
---


wall
o
air liquid
y
x
g
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 2 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_03
An incompressible, viscous fluid is placed between horizontal, infinite, parallel plates as is shown in the figure. The
two plates move in opposite directions with constant velocities, U
1
and U
2
. The pressure gradient in the x direction
is zero and the only body force is due to gravity which acts in the y-direction.
1. Derive an expression for the velocity distribution between the plates assuming laminar flow.
2. Determine the volumetric flow rate of the fluid between the plates.
3. Determine the magnitude of the shear stress the fluid exerts on the upper plate (at y=b) and clearly indicate its
direction on a sketch.














Answer(s):
---


b
y
x
U
1

U
2

g
fluid with density, , and dynamic viscosity,
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 3 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_05
In cylindrical coordinates, the momentum equations for an inviscid fluid (Eulers equations) become:
2
1
r
r
r
z
z
u Du p
f
Dt r r
Du u u p
f
Dt r r
Du p
f
Dt z
u
u u
u


u

| | c
= +
|
c
\ .
c | |
= +
|
c
\ .
c
= +
c

where u
r
, u
u
, and u
z
are the velocities in the r, u, and z directions, p is the pressure, is the fluid density, and f
r
, f
u
,
and f
z
are the body force components. The Lagrangian derivative is:
r z
u D
u u
Dt t r r z
u
u
c c c c
+ + +
c c c c

A cylinder is rotated at a constant angular velocity denoted by O. The cylinder contains a compressible fluid which
rotates with the cylinder so that the fluid velocity at any point is u
u
=Or (u
r
=u
z
=0). If the density of the fluid, , is
related to the pressure, p, by the polytropic relation:
k
p A =
where A and k are known constants, find the pressure distribution p(r) assuming that the pressure, p
0
, at the center
(r=0) is known. Neglect all body forces.


Answer(s):
( )
1 1 1
2 2 1
0 2
k
k k
k k k
k
p r p A r

(
= + O



Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 4 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_08
Two immiscible viscous liquids are introduced into a Couette flow device so that they form two layers of equal
height as shown:









The dynamic viscosity, , of liquid A is one quarter that of liquid B. The upper plate is moved at a constant
velocity, U, while the bottom plate remains stationary.

a. Determine the velocity of the interface between the two liquids.
b. Determine the apparent viscosity of the mixture as seen by an experimenter who believes that only one liquid
is in the device.


Answer(s):
1
5 i
V U =
* 8
5
=

liquid A (
A
=)
liquid B (
B
=4)
H/2
H/2
stationary wall
y
x
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 5 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_09
Consider the fully-developed, steady, laminar circular pipe flow of an incompressible, non-Newtonian fluid due to a
constant pressure gradient dp/dz < 0. Gravitational effects may be neglected. The normal stress in this fluid in the
z-direction, i.e. o
zz
, is equal to p where p is the pressure. The shear stress, o
rz
, is related to the velocity gradient by:
2
z
rz
du
C
dr
o
| |
=
|
\ .


where C is a known constant.

Find:
1. the velocity profile, u
z
(r), and
2. the friction factor, f, (i.e. the wall shear stress made dimensionless using the dynamic pressure based on the
average velocity in the pipe)
for this pipe flow in terms of C, (the fluid density), dp/dz, r, and R (the radius of the pipe), or a subset of these
parameters.


Answer(s):
( )
1
2
3 3
2 2
2 1
3 2
z
dp
u R r
C dz
| |
=
|
\ .

2
49
2
C
f
R
=



Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 6 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_13
An incompressible fluid flows between two porous, parallel flat plates as shown:










An identical fluid is injected at a constant speed V through the bottom plate and simultaneously extracted from the
upper plate at the same velocity. Assume the flow to be steady, fully-developed, the pressure gradient in the x-
direction is a constant, and neglect body forces. Determine appropriate expressions for the x and y velocity
components.


Answer(s):
y
u V =
1 exp
1 exp
x
Vy
h p y
u
V x h Vh

( | |

( |
c | | \ .
(
=
`
|
( c | | \ .

( |

( \ . )


y
x
h flow direction
V

porous plate
porous plate
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 7 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_14
Determine the torque (in lb
f
-ft) and power consumption (in hp) required to turn the shaft in the friction bearing
shown in the figure. The length of the bearing into the page is 2 in. and the shaft is turning at 200 rpm. The
viscosity of the lubricant is 200 cp and the fluid density is 50 lb
m
/ft
3
.















Answer(s):
( )
( )
( )
1
2 1
2
r r
R R
r r
R R
u r
R r
R r R
u
e
A A
A A

(
= + +
`

+ )


2.00
0.002
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 8 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_19
Consider two concentric cylinders with a Newtonian liquid of constant density, , and constant dynamic viscosity,
, contained between them. The outer pipe, with radius, R
o
, is fixed while the inner pipe, with radius, R
i
, and mass
per unit length, m, falls under the action of gravity at a constant speed. There is no pressure gradient within flow
and no swirl velocity component. Determine the vertical speed, V, of the inner cylinder as a function of the
following (subset of) parameters: g, R
o
, R
i
, m, , and .




















Answer(s):
( )
2 2
ln
2 2 4
i
i i i o
o i
R g mg g
V R R R R
R R

t
| || |
=
| |
\ .\ .


fixed outer cylinder
with radius, R
o

movable inner
cylinder with radius,
R
i
, and mass per unit
length, m
annular region filled with
liquid of density, , and
dynamic viscosity,
V

g

R
o
R
i
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 9 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_20
A wide flat belt moves vertically upward at constant speed, U, through a large bath of viscous liquid as shown in the
figure. The belt carries with it a layer of liquid of constant thickness, h. The motion is steady and fully-developed
after a small distance above the liquid surface level. The external pressure is atmospheric (constant) everywhere.















a. Simplify the governing equations to a form applicable for this particular problem.
b. State the appropriate boundary conditions
c. Determine the velocity profile in the liquid.
d. Determine the volumetric flow rate per unit depth.

Answer(s):
2
1
2
y
g gh
u x x U
v v
= +
3
3
gh
Q Uh
v
= +



liquid
atmosphere
belt
U
gravity
h
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 10 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_24
Consider a film of Newtonian liquid draining at volume flow rate Q down the outside of a vertical rod of radius, a,
as shown in the figure. Some distance down the rod, a fully developed region is reached where fluid shear balances
gravity and the film thickness remains constant. Assuming incompressible laminar flow and negligible shear
interaction with the atmosphere, find an expression for u
z
(r) and a relation for the volumetric flow rate Q.




















Answer(s):
( )
2
2 2
ln
4 2
z
g gb r
u r a
a


| |
= +
|
\ .

( )
4 2 2 4
4
3 4
ln
2 4
g b a b a
b
Q b
a
t

(
+
=
(
(



r
a
b
film
film
z
gravity
atmosphere
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 11 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_27
Consider steady flow at horizontal velocity U (at y ) past an infinitely long and wide plate. The plate is porous
and there is uniform flow normal to the surface at a constant velocity, V. Assume there are no pressure gradients
and that gravity is negligible.











a. Determine the y-velocity at all points in the flow field.
b. Determine the x-velocity at all points in the flow field.
c. What restriction is there on the velocity V?
d. Quantify how far into the flow the wall effects are felt. Clearly indicate what criterion you are using.


Answer(s):
y
u V =
1 exp
x
V
u U y
v
( | |
=
| (
\ .

V < 0
ln 0.01
V
v
o =

V
horizontal velocity is U as y
y
x
incompressible, constant viscosity
Newtonian fluid
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 12 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_30
An incompressible, Newtonian liquid of density and dynamic viscosity is sheared between concentric cylinders
as shown in the sketch below. The inner cylinder radius is R
i
and the outer cylinder radius is R
o
.









a. Determine the velocity profile for the liquid in the gap assuming that the inner cylinder rotates with constant
angular speed, e. Do not assume that (R
o
R
i
) << R
o
.
b. Determine the torque (per unit depth into the page) acting on the outer wall of the cylinder.

Answer(s):
( )
2 2 2 2
0
2 2 2 2
0
i o
o i
R R R r
u r r
R R r R
u
e
| || |

= | |
| |

\ .\ .

2 2
2 2
4
i o
o i
R R
T
R R
te
| |
=
|

\ .


R
i
R
o
Practice Problems on the Navier-Stokes Equations
C. Wassgren, Purdue University Page 13 of 13 Last Updated: 2010 Oct 13

ns_32
A viscous, incompressible fluid flows between the two infinite, vertical, parallel plates shown in the figure.
Determine, by use of the Navier-Stokes equations, an expression for the pressure gradient in the direction of flow.
Express your answer in terms of the mean velocity. Assume that the flow is laminar, steady, and fully developed.












Answer(s):
2
2
1 1 2
1
8
x
dp y
u g h
dx h

(
| | | |
= +
(
| |
\ . \ . (


2
12
x
u dp
g
dx h

| |
= +
|
\ .


g
h
x
y