Potential Flow

Chapter Three
PART ONE

Dr. Hamdy A. Kandil

15 March 2016

The Stream Function, (x,y)

Consider the continuity equation for an incompressible 2D flow

u v
+
=0
x y

Substituting the clever transformation, (x,y)

Defined as:
Gives

u v

+
= (
) + (
)=0
This is true for any smooth
x y x y
y
x
function (x,y)
so that it always satisfies the continuity eq.

using stream
u
function
two unknows
v

} one

unknow

c
conservation of mass will always be satisfied

The Stream Function,

Why do this?


Single variable replaces (u,v).

Once is known, (u,v) can be determined.

Physical significance
1.

Curves of constant are streamlines of the

flow

2.

Difference in between streamlines is equal

to volume flow rate between streamlines

The Stream Function: Physical Significance

1. Curves of constant are streamlines of the flow
Recall that the streamline equation is
given by:

Change in along
streamline is zero

2. Difference in between streamlines is equal to volume

flow rate between streamlines

Let dq represent the volume rate of flow per unit width perpendicular
to the xy plane passing between the two streamlines.
From conservation of mass we know that the inflow, dq, crossing the
arbitrary surface AC must equal the net outflow through surfaces
AB and BC. Thus,

or in terms of the stream function

Thus, the volume rate of flow, q,

between two streamlines can be
determined by integration to yield

Example Stream Function

The velocity components in a steady, incompressible, twodimensional flow field are

u = 2y

v = 4x

Determine the corresponding stream function and show on a

sketch several streamlines.
Indicate the direction of flow along the streamlines.
From the definition of the stream function

u=

= 2y
y

= y 2 + f1 (x)

v=

= 4x
x

= 2x 2 + f 2 (y)

= 2x2 + y 2 + C
For simplicity, we set C = 0

Example Solution

=0

= 2x 2 + y 2

Streamlines can now be

determined by setting
=const. and plotting the
resulting curve.
With the above
expression for , the
value of at the origin is
zero so that the equation
of the streamline passing
through the origin is
0 = -2x2 + y2
For

y2 x 2

=1
/2

which we recognize as the

equation of a hyperbola

Rate of rotation (angular velocity)

Consider the rotation about z-axis of the rectangular element x-

y

The rotation of the side x



 


tan    




Rate of rotation (angular velocity)

Angular Velocity of OA
 




 




 lim
 
 

The rotation of the side y


  

tan    




Angular Velocity of OB

 
 

   lim


 





Rate of rotation (angular velocity)

The rotation of the element about the z axis is defined as the

average of the angular velocities of the two mutually
perpendicular lines OA and OB. If counterclockwise rotation is
considered to be positive, then:
Average rotation about z-axis
1 v

z =
2 x y

Average rotation about x-axis,

1 w

x =
2 y z

Average rotation about y-axis,

Rotation Vector

1 u w

2 z x

y =

r
1 w v u w v u
= x i + y j + z k =
i +
j + k
2 y z z x x y

Rotational and Irrotational Flows

The vorticity is defined as:

 2=
w v u w v u

i +
j + k
z
x
y
z

x y

For irrotational flow = = 0

Examples: Rotational flow:
Solid-Body Rotation
(Forced Vortex): u = r

Rotational and Irrotational Flows

Examples: Irrotational flow:

Free Vortex: u = K/r

Mathematical Representation

Vorticity is the curl of the velocity vector

For 3-D vorticity in Cartesian coordinates:

v
i
v
V
x
u

v
j

y
v

v
k
v w v
= i
+
z
y z
w

v u w v v u
j
+ k
z x x y

The horizontal relative vorticity (about z axis) is found by

eliminating terms with vertical ( ) components:

v
i
v
v

k ( V )
x
u

v
j

y
v

v
k
v u
=
z x y
w

Circulation ( )

The circulation ( ) is a measure of rotation and is defined as

the line integral of the tangential component of the velocity
taken around a closed curve in the flow field.

r
r r
= V dl = V cos dl
NOTE:
The flow is irrotational if

=0,

=0,

=0

For 2-D Cartesian Coordinates

d = udx + ( v +

v
u

) dxdy
y
x
= z . area

v
u
dx ) dy ( u +
dy ) dx vdy
x
y

= (

= . area

Potential Function,

Irrotational approximation:
vorticity is negligibly small

In general, inviscid regions are

also irrotational, but there are
situations where inviscid flow
are rotational, e.g., solid body
rotation.

What are the implications of irrotational approximation. Look at

continuity and momentum equations.
Use the vector identity where is a scalar function
Since the flow is irrotational where

is a scalar potential function

Irrotational Flow Approximation

Therefore, regions of irrotational flow are also called regions of

potential flow.

From the definition of the gradient operator

Cartesian

Cylindrical

,
x

,
ur =
r
u=

, w=
z
y

1
, uz =
u =
r
z
v=

Substituting into the continuity equation for incompressible flow

gives:

Irrotational Flow Approximation

This means we only need to solve 1 linear scalar equation to

determine all 3 components of velocity!
Laplace Equation

Luckily, the Laplace equation appears in numerous fields of

science, engineering, and mathematics. This means there are
well developed tools for solving this equation.

Momentum equation
If we can compute from the Laplace equation (which came from
continuity) and velocity from the definition
, why do we
need the NSE? the answer: To compute Pressure.
To begin analysis, apply irrotational approximation to viscous term
of the incompressible NSE

=0

Irrotational Flow Approximation

Therefore, the NSE reduces to the Euler equation for

irrotational flow
Instead of integrating to find P, use vector identity to derive
Bernoulli equation

Irrotational Flow Approximation

This allows the steady Euler equation to be written as

This form of Bernoulli equation is valid for inviscid and irrotational

flow since weve shown that NSE reduces to the Euler equation.
However,

Inviscid
Irrotational ( = 0)

Irrotational Flow Approximation

Therefore, the process for irrotational flow

1.
Calculate from Laplace equation (from continuity)
2.
Calculate velocity from definition
3.
Calculate pressure from Bernoulli equation (derived from
momentum equation)
2

p V2
p V
+
+ gz =
+
+ gz
2
2

Valid for 3D or 2D

Irrotational Flow Approximation

2D Flows

For 2D flows, we can also use the stream function

Recall the definition of stream function for planar (x-y) flows

u=

v=

Since vorticity is zero for irrotational flow,

z =

v u
=0
x y

= 2

This proves that the Laplace equation holds for the stream
function and the velocity potential

Irrotational Flow Approximation

2D Flows

Constant values of :
streamlines
Constant values of :
equipotential lines
and are mutually
orthogonal
is defined by continuity;
2 results from
irrotationality
is defined by irrotationality;
2 results from continuity

Flow solution can be achieved by solving either 2 or 2,

however, BCs are easier to formulate for .

Relation between and lines

If a flow is incompressible, irrotational, and two dimensional, the

velocity field may be calculated using either a potential function or a
stream function.
Using the potential function, the velocity components in Cartesian
coordinates are

u=

v=

d =
dx +
dy = udx + vdy
x
y

And

For lines of constant potential (d = 0), which are called

equipotential lines:

u
dy
=
v
dx =c

Since a streamline is everywhere tangent to the local velocity, the

slope of a streamline, which is a line of constant , is

Relation between and lines

v
dy
=

dx =c u

Comparing equations of slopes yields:

1
dy
=
(dy dx) =c
dx =c

The slope of an equipotential line is the negative reciprocal of

the slope of a streamline.
Therefore, streamlines ( = constant) are everywhere
orthogonal (perpendicular) to equipotential lines ( = constant).
This observation is not true, however, at stagnation points,
where the components vanish simultaneously.

Irrotational Flow Approximation

2D Flows

Similar derivation can be performed for cylindrical coordinates

(except for 2 for axisymmetric flow)
 Planar, cylindrical coordinates: flow is in (r,) plane
 Axisymmetric, cylindrical coordinates : flow is in (r,z) plane

Planar

Axisymmetric

Irrotational Flow Approximation

2D Flows

Potential flows Visualization

Flow fields for which an incompressible fluid is assumed to be frictionless and
the motion to be irrotational are commonly referred to as potential flows.
Paradoxically, potential flows can be simulated by a slowly moving, viscous
flow between closely spaced parallel plates.

For such a system, dye

injected upstream reveals an
approximate potential flow
pattern around a streamlined
airfoil shape.
Similarly, the potential flow
pattern around a bluff body is
shown. Even at the rear of the
bluff body the streamlines
closely follow the body shape.
Generally, however, the flow
would separate at the rear of
the body, an important
phenomenon not accounted for
with potential theory.

Irrotational Flow Approximation

2D Flows

Method of Superposition
1.
Since 2 = 0 is linear, a linear combination of two or more
solutions is also a solution, e.g., if 1 and 2 are solutions,
then (A1), (A+1), (1+2), (A1+B2) are also solutions
2.
3.

Also true for in 2D flows (2 =0)

Velocity components are also additive

Irrotational Flow Approximation

2D Flows

Given the principal of superposition, there are several

elementary planar irrotational flows which can be
combined to create more complex flows.
Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows
 Uniform stream
 Line source/sink
 Line vortex
 Doublet

Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows

Uniform Stream

u = U=constant , v = 0, w = 0

In Cartesian coordinates

= U x , = U y
Conversion to cylindrical
coordinates can be achieved
using the transformation

= U r cos , = U r sin

Stagnation Flow

The flow is an incoming far field flow which is

perpendicular to the wall, and then turns its direction near
the wall
The origin is the stagnation point of the flow. The velocity
is zero there.

Application: Stagnation Flow

For a stagnation flow,

Hence,

= u = Bx,
x

r
V = Bx i By j

= v = By
y

Therefore,

B 2
B 2
2
(
x

y
)
=
r cos 2
And
2
2

= u = Bx,
= v = By
y
x
Therefore
B 2
= Bxy = r sin 2
2

Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows

Line Source/Sink

vr

Lets consider fluid flowing

radially outward from a line
through the origin
perpendicular to x-y plane
from mass conservation:
The volume flow rate per unit
thickness is K
This gives velocity
components

vr =

K
and v = 0
2r

K
=
=
2r r r

=
and v = 0 =
r
r

vr =

Stream function and potential function

= 0 and
r

K
=
r 2r

By integration:

K
ln r
=
2

=0
r
K
K

and
=

=
r 2r
2

By integration:

K
=

Equations are for a source/sink

at the origin

Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows

Line Source/Sink

If source/sink is moved
to (x,y) = (a,b)
K

K
K

Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows

Line (potential) Vortex

A potential vortex is defined as a

singularity about which fluid flows
with concentric streamlines
Vortex at the origin. First look at
velocity components

 1 $
=
=0
"

$

1 


 

2%
"
& =

Equations are for a line vortex

at the origin where the
arbitrary integration constants
are taken to be zero at
(r,)=(1,0)

These can be integrated to give

and

&

Free Vortex

The potential represents a flow swirling around origin with a

constant circulation .
The magnitude of the flow decreases as 1/r.

Line Vortex

now we consider situation when the

stream lines are concentric circles i.e. we
interchange potential and stream
functions:

circulation

= V ds =
C

= K
= K ln r

ds = d = 0

in case of vortex the circulation is zero

along any contour except ones enclosing
origin
2

K
(rd ) = 2 K
r

ln r
2

Stokess Theorem
The transformation from a line integral to a surface integral in
three-dimensional space is governed by Stokess theorem:

where n dA is a vector normal to the surface, positive when pointing

outward from the enclosed volume, and equal in magnitude to the
incremental surface area.

In words, the integral of the normal component of the curl of the
velocity vector over any surface A is equal to the line integral of
the tangential component of the velocity around the curve C which
bounds A.

Stokess theorem is valid when A
represents a simply connected region in
which VS is continuously differentiable.

Thus, it is not valid if the area A contains
regions where the velocity is infinite.

Potential Vortex

The curl of the velocity vector for the potential vortex can be
found using the definition for the curl of V S in cylindrical
coordinates

But & = 0 and

 =

2%

which simplifies in two dimensions to:

Although the flow is irrotational ( =0), we must remember that

the velocity is infinite at the origin (i.e., when r = 0 ).
In fact, the flow field at the origin is rotational and vorticity
exists there.
We will now calculate the circulation around a closed curve C1
which encloses the origin. We can choose a circle of radius r1
The circulation is

Recall that Stokess theorem, is not valid if the region contains

points where the velocity is infinite, which is true for vortex
flow at the origin.

However, if we calculate the circulation around a closed curve C2,

which does not enclose the origin, such as that shown in Fig. 3.13
b, we find that

Therefore, the circulation around a closed curve not containing

the origin is zero.

Paths for the calculation of the circulation for a potential vortex: (a)
closed curve C1, which encloses origin; (b) closed curve C2, which does
not enclose the origin.

Shape of the free surface

=

 =

1 

=
" 2%

Bernollis equation

p V2
+
+ gz = const
2
at the free surface p=0:

V12 V2 2
=
+z
2g 2g

2
z= 2 2
8 r g

Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows

Line Vortex

If vortex is moved to (x,y) =

(a,b)