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Fluid Mechanics Lesson 12A NA

This document discusses the nondimensionalization of fluid flow equations, particularly the Navier-Stokes equation, and distinguishes between nondimensionalization and normalization. It outlines methods for solving fluid flow equations and provides a framework for defining nondimensional variables using scaling parameters. An example is included to compare the magnitudes of terms in the Navier-Stokes equation under specific conditions.

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18 views6 pages

Fluid Mechanics Lesson 12A NA

This document discusses the nondimensionalization of fluid flow equations, particularly the Navier-Stokes equation, and distinguishes between nondimensionalization and normalization. It outlines methods for solving fluid flow equations and provides a framework for defining nondimensional variables using scaling parameters. An example is included to compare the magnitudes of terms in the Navier-Stokes equation under specific conditions.

Uploaded by

austinke82
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NONDIMENSIONALIZATION OF THE EQUATIONS OF FLUID FLOW

In this lesson, we will:


• Assign Characteristic Scales or Scaling Parameters and use them to
Nondimensionalize the equations of fluid flow
• Explain the difference between Nondimensionalization and Normalization
• Do an example problem
How to Solve the Navier-Stokes Equation
We have three ways to solve the differential equations of fluid flow (continuity and N-S):
1. Analytically [solve exactly, but only for very simple problems]
2. Numerically [use CFD on a computer to solve for thousands of cells]
3. Approximately [ignore some terms in the N-S equation, then solve]

Nondimensionalization of the Equations

Continuity
 
  DV  ∂V      
∇ ⋅V =0 ρ
Dt
= ρ ( )
+ V ⋅ ∇ V  = −∇P + ρ g + µ∇ 2V
 ∂t 
Navier-Stokes Equation
 
DV  ∂V      
ρ
Dt
= ρ ( )
+ V ⋅ ∇ V  = −∇P + ρ g + µ∇ 2V
 ∂t 

This equation is dimensional, and each variable or property (ρ, V , t, µ, etc.) is also
dimensional. What are the primary dimensions (in terms of {m}, {L}, {t}, {T}, etc.) of each
term in this equation?

To nondimensionalize the above equation, we choose scaling parameters as follows:

All images from Çengel and Cimbala, Ed. 4.

We also have fluid properties ρ and μ in the Navier-Stokes equation, so these must also be
known to complete the analysis.

We define nondimensional variables, using the scaling parameters inthe above table:
  V
* * x
= t ft = x = V*
L V
  
P − P∞  g
P* = g* = ∇* = L∇
P0 − P∞ g
To plug these nondimensional variables into the Navier-Stokes equation, we need to first
rewrite them as dimensional variables,
1 *  *  
= t t = x Lx= V VV *
f
   1 *
P= P∞ + ( P0 − P∞ ) P* g= gg * ∇= ∇
L
Now we substitute the above into the Navier-Stokes equation, rearranging the first two terms,

∂V      
ρ
∂t
( )
+ ρ V ⋅ ∇ V = −∇P + ρ g + µ∇ 2V

Every additive term in the above equation has primary dimensions {m1L-2t-2}. To
nondimensionalize the equation, we multiply every term by constant L/(ρV2), which has
primary dimensions {m-1L2t2}, so that the dimensions cancel. After some rearrangement,

Strouhal Euler number, Inverse of Froude Inverse of Reynolds


number, where where number squared, number, where
fL P −P V ρVL
St = Eu = 0 2 ∞ where Fr = Re =
V ρV gL µ

The above equation can therefore be written as


Navier-Stokes Equation in Nondimensional Form:
Nondimensionalization vs. Normalization
The above equation is nondimensional, but not necessarily normalized. What is the
difference?
• Nondimensionalization concerns only the dimensions of the equation – we can use any
value of scaling parameters L, V, etc., and we always end up with the above equation.
• Normalization is more restrictive than nondimensionalization. To normalize the
equation, we must choose scaling parameters L, V, etc. that are
 * appropriate for the flow
* *
being analyzed, such that all nondimensional variables (t , V , P , etc.) in the above
equation are of order of magnitude unity. In other words, their minimum and
maximum values are reasonably close to 1.0,
   
t * ~ 1, x * ~ 1, V * ~ 1, P* ~ 1, g * ~ 1, ∇* ~ 1

If we have properly normalized the Navier-Stokes equation, we can compare the relative
importance of various terms in the equation by comparing the relative magnitudes of the
nondimensional parameters St, Eu, Fr, and Re.

Example: Comparison of Magnitudes of Terms in the Navier-Stokes Equation


Given: Water at 20oC is flowing over an object.
The diameter of the object is about 0.6 m
The freestream speed is about 4 m/s
The object vibrates at 4 Hz
The pressure difference between the stagnation pressure and the static pressure of the
freestream is about 8000 Pa
To do: Compare the magnitudes of each of the five terms in the Navier-Stokes equation.
Solution:

∂V *     1  1  
[St ] * + V * ⋅ ∇* V * = − [ Eu ]∇*P* +  2  g * +   ∇*2V *
( )
∂t  Fr   Re 

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