Chapter 4

Irrotational Motion
(potential flow)

Outline
4.1 Stream function
4.2 Velocity potential function
4.3 2-D incompressible irrotational
motion
4.4 Fundamental potential flows
4.5 Combined flow and superposition
4.6 Bernoulli equation

4.1 Stream Function

A useful relation between the streamlines and the
continuity equation may be formulated for the special
case of two-dimensional incompressible fluid flow.

1.The definition of the stream function

In two-dimensional, incompressible flow
Continuity equation:

u ( v )

x
y

Then, we define the stream functions as follows:

udy vdx d
dx
dy
x
y

the differential of the function

Now, substitute the stream function into continuity:

It satisfies the continuity condition.

In cylindrical coordinates:

2. Properties of the Stream Function

(1). The stream function is constant along streamline.
= C is streamline
dx
dy

u
v

Streamlines are constant, thus d = 0

(2). For irrotational flow, stream function satisfies
Laplace equation
z

1 v u
(

)0
2 x
y

2
2

0
2
2
x
y
2

(3) The change in is equal to the volume rate of flow

nx cos

n y sin

per unit width of two dimensional flow

v r
2
2
V ndl (unx vn y )dl = (unx dl vn y dl ) dx dl sin
1

(u cos dl v sin dl )= (udy vdx)

1

dy dl cos

dy
dx
y
x

d
1

2 1

v
V

4.2 Velocity Potential Function

In irrotational flow:
V 0
w v
u w
v u
x ( ) 0, y ( ) 0, z ( ) 0
y z
z x
x y
w v u w
v u
namely

y z z x
x y
the differential of the function

d udx vdy wdz

dx
dy
dz
x
y
z

u
,v
,w
.
V
is velocity potential
x function
y
z

Irrotational flow is frequently called potential

flow

4.3 Two-dimensional Incompressible

Irrotational Motion
For two-dimensional incompressible irrotational motion,
there exist both stream function and velocity potential
function and they are related.

Cauchy-Riemann equations:

x
y

y
x

1
ur

r
r
1

r
r

x
y

y
x

Properties:

(1) Both stream function and velocity potential

function satisfy the Laplace equation
1 v u
z (

)0
2 x
y

u v

0
x y

2
2

0
2
2
x
y
2

2 2

0
2
2
x
y
2

Laplace equation is linear, thus flows may be

constructed by superposition of various stream functions
or potential functions

x
y

y
x

(2) Lines of constant and must form

orthogonal mesh (flow net)

( i
j)(
i
j)
x
y
x
y

x x y y
u (v) vu
0

Example 1
Given velocity field of two-dimensional incompressible
flow

u x 4y

v y 4x

Find (1) the flow is rotational or not

(2) velocity potential function
(3) stream function

x
y

y
x

u x 4y

Solution
(1).

V z v u 4 (4) 0
x
y

The flow is irrotational flow

(2).

u x 4y
x

x dx ( x 4 y)dx
x2
4 xy C ( y )
2

v y 4x

u x 4y

C ( y )
4 x
v y 4x
y
y
C ( y )
y
y
C ( y )
y dy ydy
y2
C ( y) C
2

Hence

x2
y2
4 xy C
2
2

v y 4x

u x 4y

(3)

v y 4x

v y 4 x
x
xy 2 x 2 C ( y )

C ( y )
x
u x 4y
y
y
C ( y )
4 y
y
C ( y ) 2 y 2 C

or

2 x 2 xy 2 y 2 C

d
dx
dy ( y 4 x)dx ( x 4 y )dy
x
y

(4 xdx 4 ydy ) ( ydx xdy ) 2 x 2 xy 2 y 2 C

4.4 Fundamental potential flows

(1) Uniform flow
uniform flow can be described as flow
parallel to the x axis moving in the positive
direction at a constant velocity U.
Velocity
field

u U const
v0

Potential
Ux
functon
Uy
Stream
functon
Lines of
x const
constant
potentialfunctio
Lines of
y const
n

stream
function

(2)Sink and Source flow

Sink(source) flow is radially inward flow directed at a point ,it is
opposite of source flow.

Q
ur
u 0
2 r

Velocity field

Q
ur
u 0
2 r

Q
ln r
Potential function
2
Q
Stream functon

2
Lines of constant potential
function

Lines of stream function

r const

const

Gradually expanding channel

ur

Q
u 0
2 r

(3)Vortex flow
A counterclockwise irrotational vortex
Circulation : integrating the tangential velocity
around any closed contour
Velocity field u

0 u
2 r

Potential founction

2
Stream functon ln r
2
Lines of constant potential
function

Lines of stream function r

const
const

tornado

4.5 Combined Flow and Superposition

Laplaces equation is linear and adding potential
flows is a linear operation.

1 2 k
1 2 k

V V 1 V 2 V k
Sum of solutions of Laplaces equation also
satisfy Laplaces equation.

1.

Flow about a Half-Body

Q
ln r
2
Q
Uy

Ux

Stagnation point exists

where the velocity is zero

Q
ur
U cos
r
2r

u
U sin
r

Stagnation point:

U
Q

Q/2U

u U sin 0
ur U cos

Q
0
2 r

Q/U

Bridge pier
0,
r

Q
Q
r
, or ( x, y ) (
,0)
2U
2U

Q
2 U

Simulation result

Rankine-oval

Kelvin-oval

2. A vortex + a source

ln r

2
2

ln r
2
2

source

vortex

Streamlines:
C

Extract the
common factor

ln r C
2
2
1
(Q ln r ) C
2
Q ln r 2C

ln r Q 2C
Q 2C
ln r

r e

C1e

/e
Q

2C

helix

Equipotential lines:
C
Q

ln r
C
2
2
1
(Q ln r ) C
2
Q ln r 2C

Q ln r 2C
2C
ln r

Q
Q
r e

2C
Q

C2 e

/e

Flow net

laundry-drier

helix

Helical Separator(particle separator)

separating micron-size
particulate matter from fluids

30 m particles

100m

particles

Sediment deposition

3. Doublet

4. Nonlifting flow over circular cylinder

4.6 Equations For Frictionless Flow

1 Eulers equation of motion

N-S equation:

Eulers equation of motion:

u
2
(V )V f p v V
t

1
V
(V )V f p
t

2 Integration of Eulers Equation: Bernoullis Equation

1
V
(V )V f p
t

Where

r
V ( )

( )
t
t
t
v
f ( ) =gz

V2
(V )V ) V
2
1
p
p ( )

Therefore we have

p V2
( ) ( ) V
t
2

p V2
(
( )) V
t
2

From Identity

(a b ) a ( b ) b ( a ) (a )b (b )a

Let

a b V

V V ) V ( V ) V ( V )

(V )V (V )V

V V ) 2V ( V ) 2(V )V

V V ) uu vv ww V 2
Hence

V2
(V )V ) V
2

Irrotational Steady Incompressible flow:

p V2
(
( )) V
t
2

0
V 0
t

p V2
( ) 0
2
p V2

C
2

Bernoullis Equation:

p V2
p V2
gz
C or z

C
2
g 2 g

Example:
Consider a source flow irrotational,steady and
incompressible flow , ur

Q
u 0
2r

, if

r ,, determine
u r 0 , p the
p pressure distribution. (neglects

body force )

1
1 ur
z
(ru )
r r
r

Q
ur
u 0
2r

Solution:
Bernoullis Equation:

p
V2
z

C
g
2g

where

V 2 u r2 u2 u r2

u r2

2
p

Since

r , u r 0 , p p
p ur2
p

p p
u r2

C =
p/

2
Q 2
p p u r p
2
8 2 r 2