Problem Solving: Average Velocity in Pipe - 1.6 | 22. Turbulent Pipe Flow | Hydraulic Engineering - Vol 1
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Average Velocity vs. Frictional Velocity

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, let's explore the relationship between average velocity and frictional velocity in turbulent pipe flows. Remember, turbulent flows have varying velocities at different points, and understanding this difference is crucial.

Student 1
Student 1

Why is it important to look at the difference between the velocity at any point and the average velocity?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Knowing this difference allows us to analyze how effectively fluid flows through pipes, which is vital in engineering applications.

Student 2
Student 2

Can you remind us how to express that difference mathematically?

Teacher
Teacher

Certainly! The formula is u - V_average = 5.75 log10(u_star * (y/R)). This shows how the difference relates to the depth in the pipe.

Student 3
Student 3

So if the value of u_star remains constant, how does this equation still hold?

Teacher
Teacher

It holds because the logarithmic function allows changes in y through R to be captured effectively. Let's remember the acronym 'DAVE' - Difference And Velocity Equation! It helps keep our focus on this concept.

Student 4
Student 4

What about rough pipes? Do we use a different formula for them?

Teacher
Teacher

No, surprisingly, the core principle remains the same! The expression fundamentally does not change, showcasing the uniform behavior in turbulent flows.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize today, we learned about the equations for average and frictional velocity differences, which are crucial in analyzing pipe flows. We also noted the significance of the uniformity of these equations across different types of pipes.

Power Law Velocity Profile

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let’s discuss the power law velocity profile for smooth pipes. Can anyone tell me what the formula is for u/u_max?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it y/R raised to the power of 1/n?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! And what happens when we set n to 7?

Student 2
Student 2

It results in the one-seventh power law velocity profile, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This profile is very famous in fluid mechanics. But, can anyone tell me one limitation of the power law profile?

Student 3
Student 3

It can't calculate wall shear stress because of an infinite slope at the wall!

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! That's a critical insight to remember. The way we model fluid flow can significantly affect our calculations and predictions.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize, we defined the power law velocity profile and recognized its importance, as well as its limitations regarding wall shear stress calculations.

Average Velocity Calculation

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's tackle an example that involves calculating average velocity for a given velocity profile. Who can summarize the equation provided?

Student 4
Student 4

It starts with u(r) equals u_max times (1 - r/R) to the power of 1/7.

Teacher
Teacher

Good! Now, how do we proceed from that point to find V_average?

Student 1
Student 1

We can integrate it over the area of the pipe from 0 to R.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! The integral will represent the area under the curve of the given velocity profile. Can you recall the integral formula we will use?

Student 3
Student 3

Right, it’s 1/(πR²) times the integral from 0 to R of our equation times 2πr dr.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We simplify that down and get the average velocity. Remember, the core approach remains consistent, regardless of the specific relationship in the velocity profile. Finally, let’s use 'PIE' - Pipe Integration Essentials - to keep track of our calculations!

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize today, we practiced calculating average velocity by integrating a power law velocity profile, reinforcing the approach we can apply to diverse profiles.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the calculation and significance of average velocity in both smooth and rough pipe flows.

Standard

In this section, we distinguish the average velocity in turbulent pipe flows and derive important equations related to smooth and rough pipes. Notably, we identify the commonality in velocity difference for both pipe types, as well as explore power law velocity profiles.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

In this section, we delve into the concepts surrounding average velocity in turbulent pipe flow, particularly focusing on the differences between smooth and rough pipes. The key takeaway is the derivation of the equations that connect average velocity to frictional velocity.

For turbulent flow, the formula presented highlights that the difference between the velocity at any point (u) and the average velocity (V_average) can be expressed in terms of u* (frictional velocity). Notably, we see that this relationship simplifies to a logarithmic form, which remains consistent across both smooth and rough pipes.

Additionally, we discuss the power law velocity profile for fluid flow, using an example of an incompressible fluid in a pipe and deriving the average velocity from a given velocity profile. This culminates in a universal methodology for calculating average velocity, regardless of the specific velocity distribution, demonstrating the robustness of the derived results.

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Understanding Average Velocity and Frictional Velocity

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So, what is this? This is the average velocity divided by the frictional velocity for the turbulent pipe flow case.

Detailed Explanation

In fluid dynamics, especially in turbulent flow within pipes, we often analyze the relationship between average velocity and frictional velocity. The average velocity describes the speed of fluid flow across the entire cross-sectional area of the pipe while frictional velocity is a measure that reflects how viscous forces and turbulence affect the fluid. Understanding this relationship helps us analyze how effectively fluid moves through a pipe.

Examples & Analogies

Think of frictional velocity as how fast you can slide down a slide covered in different materials. If the slide is slippery (low friction), you slide down quickly (high average velocity). But if the slide is rough (high friction), you won't slide down as quickly.

Velocity Differences for Smooth Pipes

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Now, the difference of the velocity at any point and the average velocity for smooth pipes. For smooth pipes, we have seen that the u by u star we had, we came, we derived this equation, correct.

Detailed Explanation

For smooth pipes, the difference between the fluid velocity at any given point (u) and the average velocity (V average) can be described through the equations derived in fluid mechanics. These equations allow us to express how much slower or faster fluid moves relative to the average velocity across the pipe's cross-section, which is vital for understanding flow characteristics in engineering applications.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are running in a straight line. Your speed (u) fluctuates, but your average speed over a certain distance gives a better idea of your performance. Similarly, fluid velocities can vary at different points in a pipe.

Equation for Smooth Pipes

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So, we do this equation, this minus this, this minus this. So, it will be u star is common, so, it will be u minus V average by u star is equal to 5.75 log to the base 10 u star y by nu u star R by nu.

Detailed Explanation

The equation derived here incorporates logarithmic relationships, which are often used in pipe flow calculations. The 'u star' term is significant because it represents a friction velocity that is normalized. The result shows that the difference between the velocity at a point and the average velocity relates logarithmically to parameters like the distance from the wall (y), the radius of the pipe (R), and the kinematic viscosity (nu) of the liquid. This is crucial for determining flow behavior under turbulent conditions.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it like a speed limit sign on a road: Certain conditions (like road conditions or car type) dictate how closely actual speeds can vary from the speed limit (average velocity). Just as logs help establish standards, logarithmic equations help clarify fluid behaviors.

Identical Velocity Differences in Smooth and Rough Pipes

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If you see for either for smooth or for rough this difference came out to be the same. So, the observation is the difference of velocity at any point and average velocity is same for both smooth and rough pipes.

Detailed Explanation

This observation is significant because it highlights an important consistency in fluid dynamics: regardless of whether a pipe is smooth or rough, the difference between the local velocity and average velocity has the same formulation. This can simplify calculations and predictions about how different pipe conditions influence flow.

Examples & Analogies

It’s like comparing two similar roadways: one with a smooth surface and one with potholes. While the driving conditions are different, the actual speed reduction due to obstacles may have similar quantifiable impacts based on your driving style.

Power Law Velocity Profile

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Now, about the power law velocity profile, a little bit on that. So, the power law velocity profile for smooth pipes can be expressed as, it is, u by u max can be written as y by R to the power 1 by n.

Detailed Explanation

The power law velocity profile offers a mathematical representation of how velocity varies in the cross-section of a pipe. It shows that the velocity relative to maximum velocity is proportional to the ratio of the distance from the center of the pipe to its radius, raised to a power dictated by the flow regime. This formulation helps engineers predict flow characteristics in various scenarios.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a tree—its branches don’t grow uniformly; they taper off as they extend further from the trunk. Similarly, fluid velocities vary through the height of the pipe, and the power law helps quantify that tapering effect.

Challenges with Power Law Profiles

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The value of n will increase with increasing Reynolds number. Power law velocity profiles cannot give 0 slope at the pipe center. So, power law profiles also cannot calculate the wall shear stress.

Detailed Explanation

As the Reynolds number increases, indicating more turbulence, the exponent in the power law equation changes, impacting flow characteristics. However, a limitation of the power law profile is that it cannot model a scenario where the velocity reaches zero at the pipe’s center, which is an important factor when determining shear stress at the pipe's walls, crucial for design considerations.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a roller coaster; the steepest parts (representing turbulent flow) require adjustments to keep the ride smooth. Similarly, engineers must account for changes in flow patterns as conditions become turbulent.

Practical Problem Solving Approach

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Now, we are going to solve one of the problems. So, the velocity profile for incompressible turbulent fluid in a pipe of radius R is given by u of r as u max into 1 minus r by R to the power 1 by 7.

Detailed Explanation

In this section, an example problem is presented to derive the expression for average velocity in a given cylindrical pipe. By substituting the velocity profile into the appropriate equations and performing integration, we can effectively calculate average velocity, reinforcing the theory with practical application.

Examples & Analogies

Similar to solving a puzzle, where each piece fits into a larger picture, plugging in the known values and integrating helps us piece together the overall behavior of fluid flow in a pipe.

Completing the Calculation

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V bar is equal to 2 u max integral 0 to R, 1 by 7, and we can write r by R and d r by R and call it one.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk illustrates how to proceed with calculating average velocity by performing integration over the defined limits. By simplifying the equation and substituting values, students can see how the average velocity can be derived mathematically, demonstrating the practical application of the established theoretical principles.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it as baking a cake. You gather your ingredients (data points), mix them according to a recipe (equations), and bake (integrate) to yield the final product—your average velocity.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Average Velocity: The mean fluid velocity in a pipe's cross-section, significant for flow analysis.

  • Frictional Velocity: Represents shear forces in turbulent flows, helps relate point velocities to averages.

  • Power Law Profile: Describes how velocity decreases downward in a fluid, based on index 'n', crucial for characterizing flow.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • In a smooth pipe, if u_max = 5 m/s and y/R = 0.2, calculate the average velocity using the derived formula.

  • For a rough pipe with different frictional characteristics, apply the same principles to derive the average velocity and compare results.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In a pipe where waters flow, average velocity is what we know, friction keeps it steady too, turbulent flows, like nature do.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a river flowing through a series of pipes, struggling against the walls, and adjusting its flow. The turbulent spots represent varying velocities, while the calm areas reflect the average - it's a dance of nature's forces.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Use 'PIPE' to remember: Profile Integration for Pipe Equation calculation.

🎯 Super Acronyms

DAVE represents Difference And Velocity Equation for understanding flow dynamics.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Average Velocity (V_average)

    Definition:

    The mean velocity of fluid through a cross-section of the pipe.

  • Term: Frictional Velocity (u*)

    Definition:

    Velocity scale related to friction forces in turbulent flow.

  • Term: Power Law Velocity Profile

    Definition:

    A mathematical relationship describing how velocity varies in a fluid flow, often indexed by n.

  • Term: Reynolds Number

    Definition:

    A dimensionless number used to predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situations.