Velocity Profile Layers - 3.2 | 20. Introduction to Turbulent Flow | Hydraulic Engineering - Vol 1
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Introduction to Shear Stress and Velocity Profiles

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're discussing the concept of velocity profiles in turbulent flow. Can anyone tell me what shear stress at the pipe wall is?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it the force per unit area that's acting parallel to the wall?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This shear stress, represented by tau_not, is assumed constant at the wall. Now, when we consider small values of y, how do we relate shear stress to velocity?

Student 2
Student 2

I think we use the velocity gradient, du/dy. Is that right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! We use that to develop our velocity profile equations, leading us to equation 16.

Student 3
Student 3

What does this equation reveal about flow near the wall?

Teacher
Teacher

Good question! It indicates that shear velocity, represented as u*, is critical in defining our velocity profile. Let’s remember that u* is derived from shear stress.

Teacher
Teacher

Key takeaway: Shear velocity helps us accurately understand turbulent flow. Remember, tau_not remains constant at the wall, so visualize that when thinking about velocity gradients!

Understanding the Velocity Profile Layers

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s discuss the four layers present in turbulent flow. Who can name them?

Student 1
Student 1

I remember! There’s the viscous sublayer and the turbulent layer.

Teacher
Teacher

Great memory! Can you describe how the viscous sublayer behaves?

Student 2
Student 2

Yes, in the viscous sublayer, the velocity profile is nearly linear because viscosity dominates.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly right! In contrast, the turbulent layer exhibits predominantly turbulent effects. What can we say about the buffer and overlap layers?

Student 3
Student 3

The buffer layer transitions from laminar to turbulent, and in the overlap layer, turbulent effects are starting to be significant.

Teacher
Teacher

Good summary! And remember the mnemonic 'VBOT' which stands for Viscous, Buffer, Overlap, Turbulent, to help you recall these layers.

Teacher
Teacher

To wrap this up, each layer has unique characteristics affecting the velocity profile in turbulent flows. Make sure you visualize how they stack!

Surface Roughness and Its Impact

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let’s delve into surface roughness. How do we categorize boundaries in turbulent flow?

Student 4
Student 4

Rough and smooth boundaries, based on the height of surface irregularities relative to the viscous sublayer, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Can someone explain the conditions for a boundary to be considered smooth?

Student 1
Student 1

If the height of the irregularities, k, is much less than the thickness of the viscous sublayer, delta_dash.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And if k is greater than 6 times delta_dash, we classify the boundary as rough. Can you explain the transitional category?

Student 2
Student 2

It’s in between, when k is between 0.25 and 6 times delta_dash.

Teacher
Teacher

Well summarized! Remember: the ratio k/delta_dash is your guide to surface categorization. Use it to analyze flow conditions in experiments!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section covers the velocity profile layers in turbulent flow, focusing on the key concepts related to shear stress, velocity distributions, and the theory behind turbulent flow dynamics.

Standard

This section discusses the concept of velocity profile layers in turbulent flow, highlighting how shear stress is defined at the pipe wall and developing the logarithmic velocity profile using Prandtl’s mixing length theory. The section elaborates on different velocity profile layers, namely the viscous sublayer, buffer layer, overlap layer, and turbulent layer, along with characteristics that define smooth and rough boundaries.

Detailed

Velocity Profile Layers

In this section, we delve into the intricacies of turbulent flow and its velocity profile layers. The discussion begins with deriving the relationship between shear stress ( tau) and the velocity gradient (du/dy). We build upon the Prandtl mixing length theory to derive a logarithmic velocity profile while observing how shear stress is assumed to remain constant near the pipe wall. The key equations are introduced, including shear velocity u* and its relation to wall shear stress tau_not.

We also explore the structure of turbulent flow adjacent to walls, which consists of four distinct layers:
1. Viscous Sublayer: The closest layer to the wall, where viscosity dominates and the velocity profile is almost linear.
2. Buffer Layer: A transitional area where both turbulent and viscous effects are significant but neither dominates completely.
3. Overlap Layer: In this layer, turbulent effects are pronounced while still being less significant than in the turbulent layer.
4. Turbulent Layer: This outermost layer sees turbulent effects dominating.

Furthermore, we discuss the notion of surface roughness, distinguishing between smooth and rough boundaries based on surface irregularities relative to the height of the viscous sublayer. We conclude with practical examples and problems related to shear stress in turbulent flow.

Audio Book

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Introduction to Velocity Defect Law

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So, we can say, u max minus u is called the velocity defect or velocity defect law, this is velocity defect law.

Detailed Explanation

The velocity defect law describes the difference between the maximum velocity (;max) at the center of a pipe and the actual velocity (u) at any point within the pipe. This difference is termed 'velocity defect' and is crucial for understanding how fluid flows in turbulent conditions, allowing engineers and scientists to predict flow behavior.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are in a water slide (the pipe). At the top (the center), you feel a rush of speed, but as you descend and encounter bumps (turbulent flow), your speed reduces. The difference in how fast you want to go and how fast you actually go is similar to the velocity defect. Engineers use this principle to design better slides or pipelines.

Basic Layers of Turbulent Flow

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Turbulent flow along a wall consists of 4 regions. Viscous sublayer, this layer is thin layer next to the wall. So, this is the closest to the wall where the viscous effects are dominant and the velocity profile is almost linear.

Detailed Explanation

In turbulent flow, the profile can be divided into four distinct layers, each exhibiting different properties based on how the fluid interacts with the wall. The viscous sublayer is closest to the wall, dominated by viscous effects, causing the velocity profile to appear linear rather than turbulent. This is vital because it helps engineers understand where and how flow rates can change.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the layers like a cake. The bottom layer is thick and dense (the viscous sublayer) where flavors are mixed slowly, whereas the upper layers (like the turbulent layer) have more air and movement, representing a richer and more chaotic mixture. Just as the cake's structure needs to be considered for optimal flavor, understanding the flow's structure is necessary for efficient design.

Regions of Turbulent Flow

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In the buffer layer, though turbulent effects are becoming significant, the viscous effects are still dominating. In the overlap layer, the turbulent effects are much more significant but still not dominant, in the overlap layer. In the turbulent layer, the turbulent effects dominate over these viscous effects.

Detailed Explanation

As we move away from the wall into the buffer layer, the turbulence begins to make itself known, even as the viscous effects still play a significant role. This transitions into the overlap layer where turbulence is more pronounced but not yet the main driving force. Finally, we reach the turbulent layer where turbulent forces dominate completely, affecting the flow's properties significantly. Understanding these transitions helps in predicting flow behaviors.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a dancing crowd at a concert. Close to the stage, people move carefully and don't bump into one another (viscous sublayer). As you move further back, people start to sway and can bump into each other (buffer layer), eventually reaching the area where everyone is dancing energetically and moving freely (turbulent layer). Each area has a different feel and behavior just like these fluid layers.

Understanding Boundary Types

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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

Boundary types heavily influence flow characteristics. Hydro-dynamically smooth boundaries refer to surfaces where the roughness is too small to significantly disrupt turbulent flow, allowing for smoother fluid movement. In contrast, rough boundaries have larger irregularities that cause greater turbulence, impacting flow resistance. Recognizing these differences helps engineers anticipate how fluids will behave as they interact with various surfaces.

Examples & Analogies

Think of riding a bike on a smooth road versus a rough cobblestone path. On the smooth road, you glide effortlessly, while the cobblestones cause jolts and slow you down. Similarly, smooth boundaries allow for easier fluid flow, while rough boundaries increase turbulence, slowing down the fluid just like those bumpy rocks.

Calculating Flow Behavior

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So, smooth boundary are the one, where the thickness of the viscous sublayer is much larger than the surface irregularities.

Detailed Explanation

Smooth boundaries are defined by the relative scale of surface irregularities compared to the thickness of the viscous sublayer. When irregularities in a surface are small compared to the laminar flow thickness, they do not significantly disturb the flow, which leads to smoother and more predictable fluid behavior.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the surface of a calm pond versus ripples caused by a stone. If the pontoons (surface irregularities) on the pond are minimal compared to the size of the pond, they don't disturb the surface much. However, if the surface has many rocks compared to its area, it leads to bouncing waves (turbulence) throughout the water. This analogy helps highlight how surface irregularities impact flow.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Shear stress is constant at the pipe wall and related to the velocity gradient.

  • The velocity profile in turbulent flow is influenced by several layers: viscous sublayer, buffer layer, overlap layer, and turbulent layer.

  • Surface roughness is characterized by the height of surface irregularities and plays a vital role in determining flow characteristics.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Example of shear stress calculation by knowing the velocity profile and flow conditions in a pipe.

  • Illustration of how varying surface roughness affects the flow regime and categorization of boundaries.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Turbulence flows, layers do show, from viscous up to turbulent, let those effects grow!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a river flowing beside a rocky shore; just like that, fluid's behavior changes with surface 'rough' or 'smooth' galore!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • VBOT for Velocity layers: Viscous, Buffer, Overlap, Turbulent - that’s how they play!

🎯 Super Acronyms

SRT for Surface Roughness Types

  • Smooth
  • Rough
  • and Transitional.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Shear Stress (tau)

    Definition:

    The force acting parallel to the surface of a material per unit area; significant in determining flow characteristics.

  • Term: Velocity Gradient (du/dy)

    Definition:

    The rate of change of velocity with respect to the distance from the wall, fundamental in defining shear stress in fluid flow.

  • Term: Viscous Sublayer

    Definition:

    The layer adjacent to the wall where the viscous forces dominate and the velocity profile is nearly linear.

  • Term: Buffer Layer

    Definition:

    Transitional layer where both turbulent and viscous effects are present but neither is dominant.

  • Term: Overlap Layer

    Definition:

    Layer where the turbulent effects are significant but not yet dominant, acting as a transition between the buffer and turbulent layers.

  • Term: Turbulent Layer

    Definition:

    The outer layer in which turbulent effects dominate the flow characteristics.

  • Term: Surface Roughness (k)

    Definition:

    The average height of surface irregularities which influences the flow characteristics over a surface.

  • Term: Viscous Sublayer Thickness (delta_dash)

    Definition:

    The thickness of the layer within which viscous effects dominate and turbulence has not penetrated.