Chan Wei

Lim Zhong Hui

Tan Hong You
M4

Laminar flow
Also known as

streamline flow
Occurs when the
fluid flows in
parallel layers,
with no
disruption
between the
layers
The opposite of
turbulent flow
(rough)

Laminar flow
In fluid dynamics (scientific study of

properties of moving fluids), laminar flow is:

A flow regime characterized by high
momentum diffusion, low momentum
convection, pressure and velocity independent
from time.
*momentum diffusion refers to the spread of
momentum (diffusion) between particles of
substances, usually liquids

Laminar flow
Laminar flow over a flat

and horizontal surface

can be pictured as
consisting of parallel and
thin layers
Layers slide over each

other, thus the name

streamline or smooth.
The paths are regular
and there are no
fluctuations

Turbulent
Flow

Laminar Flow

Laminar flow
3 Conditions
fluid moves slowly
viscosity is relatively high
flow channel is relatively small
Blood flow through capillaries is laminar flow,

as it satisfies the 3 conditions

Most type of fluid flow is turbulent
There is poor transfer of heat energy!

Turbulent flow
Usually occurs when the

liquid is moving fast

The flow is chaotic and
there are irregular
fluctuations
Includes:
Low momentum diffusion
high momentum convection
rapid variation of pressure

and velocity of the fluid

Good way to transfer
thermal energy

Turbulent Flow
The speed of the fluid at a point is

continuously undergoing changes in both

magnitude and direction.

Examples of turbulence
Oceanic and atmospheric layers and ocean

currents
External flow of air/water over vehicles such as
cars/ships/submarines
In racing cars, e.g. leading car causes
understeer at fast corners
Turbulence during air-planes flight
Most of terrestrial atmospheric circulation
Flow of most liquids through pipes

Reynolds number
A dimensionless number in fluid mechanics
Dynamic Pressure : Shearing Stress
Thus, it quantifies the relative importance of these

two types of forces for given flow conditions.

Arises when performing analysis of fluid dynamics
Can be used to determine dynamic similitude in

such cases. Concept used in the testing of models,

e.g. testing miniature airplanes/submarines

Dynamic Pressure + Shearing

Stress
Dynamic Pressure
The pressure of a
fluid which results
from its motion
Formula:
Fluid Density
Fluid Velocity

Shearing Stress
Measure of the force
of friction from a
fluid acting on a
body in the path of
that fluid
Formula:
Weight
Density of
Water

Water
Average
Surface
water
Slope
depth

Reynolds number
Flow in a pipe or liquid
p is the density of the fluid
V is the mean fluid velocity
D is the diameter
Q is the volumetric flow

Dynamic Pressure

rate

is the dynamic viscosity of the

fluid
v is the kinematic velocity of the
fluid
A is the pipe cross-sectional area.

Shearing Stress

Reynolds number
The Reynolds number can be used to

determine if a flow is laminar, transient or

turbulent
Laminar when Re < 2300
Turbulent when Re > 4000
Transient when 2300 < Re < 4000
Spermatozoa

1104

Blood flow in brain

1102

Blood flow in aorta

1103

Acknowledgements
http://www.geo.wvu.edu/~jtoro/geol101/strea

ms/laminar%20flow.jpg
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3
28742/laminar-flow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminar_flow
http://www.answers.com/topic/laminar-flow
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/files/imagec
ache/feature/files/20071217_physics.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulent_flow#Ex
amples_of_turbulence

Acknowledgements
http://anordinarymom.files.wordpress.com/20

08/11/airplane-turbulence-copy.gif
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/reynoldsnumber-d_237.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_similitud
e
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/reynoldsnumber-d_237.html