MCE 244 - Lecture Notes Wk1

Takoradi Technical University Fluid Mechanics II MCE244
1. FLUID FLOW
Fluid dynamics is concerned with the pressure and energy distribution in fluids flowing
under the action of gravity and/or mechanical forces (e.g. pump, fan, etc.). Three
situations are considered:
 Closed duct flow (e.g. flow through pipes)
 Open channel flow (e.g. drainage, rivers, streams, etc.)
 Flow around stationary or moving bodies submerged in large body of fluid
Only closed duct flow will be considered at this level.
Note:
Key parameters that describe the behavior of moving fluid include fluid velocity,
density and pressure.
1.1 Classification of Flow

1.1.1 Steady and Unsteady Flow
Steady Flow – key parameters do not change with time
Unsteady Flow – the key parameters do vary with time
1.1.2 Uniform and Non-Uniform Flow

Uniform Flow – the flow parameters such as velocity, pressure, etc. are uniform
across the section of the pipe
Non-Uniform Flow – the flow parameters are not uniform across the section of
the pipe
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1.1.3 One-, Two-, and Three-Dimensional Flow

One-Dimensional Flow – the flow in which the velocity depend on only one
space coordinate (e.g. V = f(x)). This type of flow includes flow in pipes and
channels. In pipes, flow velocity varies with the radius of the pipe, and in
channels it varies with depth. It could be steady flow if time is not involved. If
the flow velocity varies with time, then the flow is unsteady.
Two-Dimensional Flow – the flow in which the velocity depend on only two
space coordinate (e.g. V = f(x,y)). This flow type occurs in the entrance region
of a pipe, and flow around a sphere. It can also be called plane flow
Three-Dimensional Flow - the flow in which the velocity depend on three space
coordinate (e.g. V = f(x,y,x)). For example the flow in a washing machine is
unsteady three-dimensional flow.
1.1.4 Compressible and Incompressible Flow

Fluid flow is incompressible if the density of a fluid particle is constant as it
𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝜌
moves along, i.e. =0 =0 =0 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
2
1.1.5 Viscous and Inviscid Flow

Inviscid flow – in this flow, the effects of viscosity can be completely neglected
with no significant effects on the solution to a problem involving the flow – this
makes the fluid problem easy to solve.
Viscous Flow – In reality, all fluids have viscosity and therefore the viscous
effect cannot be neglected. Viscous effects are very important in pipe flows and
many other kinds of flows inside conduits; they lead to losses and require
pumps in long pipe lines. Viscous effect causes velocity to be zero at the inside
walls of pipes (i.e. no-slip condition).
1.1.6 Laminar and Turbulent Flow

Laminar Flow – when all particles in the flow move in parallel layers such that
no particle moves from one layer to another. There is negligible mixing of fluid
particles.
Turbulent Flow – in this type of flow, the particles move in irregular path such
that there is mixing of fluid particles. The fluid motion is random.
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The velocity at which fluid flow changes from laminar to turbulent is called
Critical Velocity
A dimensionless parameter called the Reynold’s number (Re) is used to

determine if a flow is laminar or turbulent,
𝜌𝑉𝐷 𝑉𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = = 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕
𝜇 𝜈
Where ρ = density of fluid, V = average velocity of the fluid, D = pipe diameter
µ = viscosity of fluid and γ = kinematic viscosity of the fluid.
If Re < 2000 the flow is Laminar

If 2000 < Re > 4000, the flow is in transition
If Re > 4000, the flow is Turbulent
1.2 Description of Flow

1.2.1 Path Line – This refers to the locus of points travelled through by a particular
fluid particle in a flow. It provides the history of the particle’s motion
1.2.2 Streak Line – this is the locus of fluid particles that have passed sequentially
through a given point in the flow. Basically, it is a line drawn to connect all fluid
particles that have moved through a given point or station.
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1.2.3 Streamline – a line which is tangential to the instantaneous local velocity vector.
Streamlines are everywhere parallel to the local velocity, meaning;
 fluid cannot cross a streamline

 streamlines cannot cross each other
V
θ dy
dx u
𝑑𝑦 𝑉
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = = 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒
𝑑𝑥 𝑢
.
1.2.4 Streamtube – this is made up of a bundle of streamlines. For example, a pipe
is a stream tube. Again, fluid within a streamtube must remain in the tube and
cannot cross the boundary of the streamtube

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Takoradi Technical University Fluid Mechanics II MCE244

1.1 Classification of Flow

1.1.2 Uniform and Non-Uniform Flow

1.1.3 One-, Two-, and Three-Dimensional Flow

1.1.4 Compressible and Incompressible Flow

1.1.5 Viscous and Inviscid Flow

1.1.6 Laminar and Turbulent Flow

A dimensionless parameter called the Reynold’s number (Re) is used to

If Re < 2000 the flow is Laminar

1.2 Description of Flow

 fluid cannot cross a streamline

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