Further Problem Solving - 5 | 20. Introduction to Turbulent Flow | Hydraulic Engineering - Vol 1
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Further Problem Solving

5 - Further Problem Solving

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Understanding Shear Stress in Turbulent Flow

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Today, we're going to start by discussing shear stress in turbulent flow. Can anyone tell me what shear stress is?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it the force per unit area acting parallel to the fluid's surface?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Shear stress is crucial when studying how fluids behave under different conditions. Now, in our equations, we assume shear stress at the pipe wall is constant. Does anyone remember what this value is called?

Student 2
Student 2

That's tau not, right?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Right again! So when we talk about small values of y in our equations, we can simplify our calculations. Let's articulate how we relate tau not to the velocity profile.

Student 3
Student 3

Does this mean if we know tau not, we can find the velocity gradient?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! And by rewriting the equations accordingly, we can express the velocity distribution in turbulent flow.

Deriving Velocity Profiles

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Now let's dive deeper into how we derive the velocity profile. Starting with the mixing length theory, can anyone explain what we mean by turbulent velocity profile?

Student 4
Student 4

I think it’s the velocity distribution across different layers of flow, right?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Correct! When working with turbulent flow, we often see different profiles compared to laminar flow. Can anyone describe what we typically find in a turbulent flow profile?

Student 1
Student 1

It usually has a fuller shape compared to the parabolic one seen in laminar flow.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! By using boundary conditions, we were able to derive away the logarithmic velocity profile represented in our equations. Who can tell me why we need to include boundary conditions?

Student 2
Student 2

They are necessary to solve for unknown constants in our equations!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Boundary conditions refine our equations by pinpointing the behavior of flow at specific points.

Characteristics of Fluid Layers

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Let's discuss the different layers within turbulent flow. Can anyone name the layers?

Student 3
Student 3

There's the viscous sublayer, the buffer layer, the overlap layer, and the turbulent layer.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great memory! Now, do you remember which layer has a linear velocity profile?

Student 2
Student 2

That would be the viscous sublayer!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Correct! Each of these layers behaves differently due to the varying influences of viscosity and turbulent forces. Can anyone explain how the characteristics of a boundary affect these layers?

Student 4
Student 4

The surface roughness can change how fluid interacts with it, influencing layer thickness and flow intensity!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Just like we have smooth and rough boundaries that change flow behavior and shear stress considerations.

Solving Practical Problems

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Now it’s time to put our knowledge into practice. We’ll tackle a problem that calculates shear stress at the wall. Who can help me with this problem on the board?

Student 1
Student 1

Sure! We know the diameter and velocities at specific points. What do we need to start?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Good start! We need to convert units to SI first. What’s our diameter?

Student 2
Student 2

It’s 10 centimeters, so that’s 0.1 meters.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Nice! Now let’s substitute values in the right equations to find tau not. Can anyone show this step?

Student 3
Student 3

We can use the equation: u max – u over u_star, putting in our known values.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Excellent! Calculating that will guide us to find the shear stress we need. But why is it important to understand these calculations in practical scenarios?

Student 4
Student 4

It helps engineers design better piping systems and understand fluid dynamics in real-world applications!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Understanding these concepts solidifies our ability to relate theory to practice. Well done!

Introduction & Overview

Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.

Quick Overview

This section focuses on deriving equations related to turbulent flow in pipes, particularly emphasizing shear stress calculations and the behavior of fluid layers near boundaries.

Standard

In this section, the relationships between shear stress, velocity, and pipe radius are explored, leading to the derivation of key equations governing turbulent flow. The section explores the implications of these equations on fluid behavior in various layers and how roughness can influence flow characteristics.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

Overview

This section dives deep into understanding turbulent flow in pipes using the Prandtl mixing length theory and its associated equations. Notably, equations are derived to establish the relationship between shear stress and velocity in turbulent flows. Throughout the discussion, the significance of boundary conditions and the velocity profile is emphasized, especially in distinguishing between laminar and turbulent flows.

Key Points:

  • The shear stress (2) at the pipe wall is assumed to be constant and can be related to velocity gradients in the pipe.
  • By substituting known parameters into the derived equations, we can solve for fluid dynamics characteristics such as the shear velocity and further derive the velocity profile.
  • The section illustrates practical application through a problem example involving the calculation of shear stress with given pipe parameters.
  • It elaborates on the various layers present in turbulent flow and characterizes their behaviors, such as the viscous sublayer, the buffer layer, the overlap layer, and the turbulent layer.
  • Additionally, the concept of roughness is introduced, with criteria for categorizing boundary types (smooth, rough, and transitional) based on surface irregularities.

Audio Book

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Using Equation 14 in Equation 15

Chapter 1 of 9

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Chapter Content

So, if we use equation 14 in equation 15, what was equation 14? l m was kappa into y, this was what we said in equation number 14. So, we can simply write or we can simply write and this is equation number 16, very simple.

Detailed Explanation

In the context of fluid mechanics, the text discusses how to substitute one equation into another to derive new relationships. Equation 14 defines a variable (here l m as kappa times y) which is crucial for further calculations. The substitution illustrates how we can expand our toolkit of equations for solving fluid flow problems.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are baking a cake and have a recipe for a chocolate cake. If you know how to make a basic cake (equation 14), you can adapt it (substituting it into another formula, equation 15) to create a chocolate cake (equation 16). The substitution is essential to ensure you get the right ingredients in the right quantities for the desired result.

Assuming Small Values of y

Chapter 2 of 9

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Chapter Content

So, for small values of y it can be assumed. So, if the y is very small we can assume that tau is equal to tau not, where tau not is the shear stress at the pipe wall and can be assumed to be a constant.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses a simplifying assumption in fluid mechanics where if 'y' (the distance from the wall) is small, shear stress (tau) near the wall can be approximated as constant (tau not). This assumption simplifies calculations related to shear stress in pipe flow, making it easier to analyze fluid behavior in practical applications.

Examples & Analogies

Think of water flowing through a garden hose. If you look closely at the water right next to the hose wall, you could assume that the water is moving at the same speed as the hose wall itself (which is effectively standing still) when you are only looking at a tiny layer of water very close to it. Thus, the speed—or shear stress—would be constant in that small region next to the hose.

Integrating Equation 17

Chapter 3 of 9

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Chapter Content

If you integrate equation number 17, so, what we can get is, simple integration, it will get.

Detailed Explanation

The process of integrating equation 17 is introduced here, indicating a mathematical technique used to derive relationships between various variables in fluid flow. Integration is essential to find cumulative effects or overall behavior from differential equations, presenting the relationship between shear stress and velocity across different sections of the fluid flow.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are trying to find out how much water flows through a pipe over time. If you know the flow rate (like a small cup of water being poured per minute), integrating that rate over a period allows you to determine the total amount of water that has passed. It’s about converting small, incremental data into a comprehensive understanding.

Applying Boundary Conditions

Chapter 4 of 9

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Chapter Content

Then using the boundary conditions, what are the boundary conditions? So, u at y is equal to R, where R is the radius of the pipe. We will get, u is equal to u max. That is what we have seen at the center line of the pipe the velocity is going to be the maximum.

Detailed Explanation

Boundary conditions are essential in fluid mechanics as they define the behavior of fluid at the edges of a system. Here, 'u at y equals R' means that at the outer boundary (radius R), the fluid velocity is at its maximum value (u max), which is a crucial factor in determining how fluid behaves in the center versus the edges of the pipe.

Examples & Analogies

Think of how air flows in a room. At the center of the room, air currents can swirl freely, having maximum speed. But as you approach a wall (the boundary), the speed diminishes until it essentially comes to a stop at the wall itself. Understanding how air moves near the walls helps in designing better HVAC systems.

Deriving the Velocity Defect Law

Chapter 5 of 9

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Chapter Content

And, so, this is ln. So, we can put it in form of log. This is simple manipulation, we can get u max minus u / u * is equal to 5.75 log to the base 10 R / y. u max minus u is called the velocity defect or velocity defect law, this is velocity defect law.

Detailed Explanation

The velocity defect law is derived by manipulating equations to show the relationship between maximum velocity, actual velocity, and the logarithmic scale of radius versus distance. By doing this, we gain insights into how the velocity of flow decreases as we move away from the maximum flow at the center, providing critical information for engineers working with fluid in pipes.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine riding a bicycle in a straight line. At the center of the road (maximum velocity), you're going fastest. If you ride closer to the edge of the road, where there are obstacles like bumps or curbs, your speed decreases. The concept of velocity defect law helps us understand how much speed we lose based on our position relative to the center where the speed is highest.

Overview of Turbulent Flow and Its Layers

Chapter 6 of 9

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Chapter Content

Then using the boundary conditions, what are the boundary conditions? So, u at y is equal to R, where R is the radius of the pipe.

Detailed Explanation

Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic and irregular movements, and this section introduces the various layers that constitute turbulent flow. These include the viscous sublayer, buffer layer, overlap layer, and turbulent layer, each with distinct properties that influence the overall flow dynamics.

Examples & Analogies

Picture a smoothie being blended. The thickest bits (like the viscous layers) are right at the bottom near the blades, and they mix slowly, while the top layer, where the smoothie is more fluid, dances wildly around. This analogy helps visualize how, in turbulent flow, different layers behave differently, with some moving slowly near the wall and others moving much faster further away.

Understanding Rough and Smooth Boundaries

Chapter 7 of 9

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Chapter Content

Now, when it comes to these beds and these regimes, some of the important terms that are there is hydro dynamically rough and smooth boundaries.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk examines the concepts of hydrodynamic roughness and smoothness of surfaces. Rough boundaries contain larger irregularities that disrupt fluid flow, while smooth boundaries have minor irregularities, allowing smoother flow patterns. Measuring these characteristics is critical for predicting flow behavior in various engineering applications.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a road with potholes (rough boundary) versus a smooth highway (smooth boundary). Driving on the highway allows for faster travel with less disturbance compared to navigating a bumpy road. This simple analogy showcases how surface texture plays a significant role in affecting flow—just as it does with vehicle movement, it similarly affects fluid flow in pipes.

Determining Boundary Roughness

Chapter 8 of 9

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If k which is the height of the irregularity is divided by the thickness of viscous sublayer is less than 0.25, the boundary is smooth.

Detailed Explanation

This section introduces criteria for determining whether a boundary is smooth, transitional, or rough, based on the ratio of the height of surface irregularities (k) to the thickness of the viscous sublayer. Understanding these conditions helps determine how turbulence develops, influencing fluid dynamics and engineering designs.

Examples & Analogies

Think of different types of fabric—silky fabric (smooth) vs. coarse wool (rough). Just like the texture affects how comfortable it feels against your skin, it similarly affects how fluids move over surfaces. A silky fabric allows smooth sliding, while coarse fabric creates friction and resistance, analogous to smooth and rough boundaries in fluid flow.

Solving Problems with Boundary Conditions

Chapter 9 of 9

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Chapter Content

Now, we will solve one problem about this particular concept.

Detailed Explanation

The application of concepts learned in this section begins with a practical problem relating to the estimation of boundary type. This reinforces the learned material by moving from theory to practical application, emphasizing the importance of being able to apply theoretical knowledge in real scenarios.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you're preparing for a science fair project. You have to conduct an experiment (like calculating the roughness of a surface) to prove your understanding of a concept, just as we apply the learned theories about boundary characteristics to solve practical engineering problems. It’s all about testing and validating knowledge through hands-on applications.

Key Concepts

  • Turbulent Velocity Profile: The distribution of velocity across the flow area in turbulent conditions, which is fuller than laminar profiles.

  • Boundary Conditions: Constraints used in mathematical models that help define the behavior of fluid at specific points.

  • Roughness Effects: The impact of surface irregularities on flow dynamics and shear stress distributions.

Examples & Applications

An example of shear stress calculation involves determining τ not from a known velocity gradient in a fluid moving through a pipe.

Another example is analyzing fluid layers near a boundary and how their characteristics change with the introduction of surface roughness.

Memory Aids

Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts

🎵

Rhymes

In the flow of pipes, smooth or rough, shear stress is always tough!

📖

Stories

Imagine a river flowing over rocks: smooth stones create gentle flows while rough boulders churn up the water, just like how smooth and rough boundaries affect turbulent flow.

🧠

Memory Tools

To remember the layers of turbulent flow: Vicious Buffers Over Turbulent men, or VBT for Viscous, Buffer, Overlap, Turbulent.

🎯

Acronyms

Use the acronym PBL to recall layers

P

for Pipe (the structure)

B

for Boundary (where flow characteristics change)

and L for Layers (each having unique velocity profiles).

Flash Cards

Glossary

Shear Stress (τ)

The force per unit area acting parallel to the surface of a fluid.

Shear Velocity (u*)

Velocity that quantifies the frictional forces acting on the fluid at the wall.

Viscous Sublayer

The layer next to the wall where viscous effects dominate and the velocity profile is nearly linear.

Turbulent Layer

Layer where turbulent effects dominate over viscous effects.

Roughness (k)

Height of surface irregularities which can influence flow characteristics.

Reference links

Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.