AS-5011 Compressible Fluid Flows

Assignment-1: Basic Kinematics and Dynamics

Total Marks: 25

Total Weightage: 10%

1. Prove using index notation, the following vector identities (use εkijεkpq = δipδjq – δiqδjp)-
a) a x (b x c) = b(a.c) – c(a.b) (2)
b) u x (∇ x u) = ∇(u2/2) – (u.∇)u (1)
c) ∇ x (∇ x u) =∇(∇.u) – ∇2u (1)

2. A steady density field in the x-y plane is given by ρ = kxy, where k is a constant. If the
flow is incompressible, find the equation for the family of streamlines. (2)

3. A one-dimensional unsteady flow is given by the following velocity

2 𝑥
𝑢= ( + 𝑎0 )
𝛾+1 𝑡
and density field
2
𝜌 𝛾−1 𝑥 2 𝛾−1
=( + )
𝜌0 𝛾 + 1 𝑎0 𝑡 𝛾 + 1

Where γ, ρ0 and a0 are constants.

Calculate the material derivative of density Dρ/Dt. Is the flow incompressible? (2)

Check the validity of the continuity equation for the flow field. (2)

4. The velocity components of an unsteady flow field are given by

𝑢1 = 0; 𝑢2 = 𝐴(𝑥1 𝑥2 − 𝑥32 )𝑒 −𝐵(𝑡−𝑡0 ) ; 𝑢3 = 𝐴(𝑥22 − 𝑥1 𝑥3 )𝑒 −𝐵(𝑡−𝑡0 )

 Determine the components of the velocity gradient tensor ∂ui/∂xj, and split that into the
strain rate and rotation tensors. Is the field incompressible? (3)
Obtain the components of vorticity from the rotation tensor. Find vorticity vector at the
point P= (1, 0, 3) at t=t0. (2)

5. Consider the incompressible boundary layer over a flat plate at zero angle of incidence
(zero pressure gradient), with a freestream velocity U.

The edge of the boundary layer at any streamwise position x a vertical distance of
y=δ(x)=𝑎√𝑥 (a being a constant dependent on viscosity and freestream velocity, x=0 at
leading edge of plate) from the plate surface; above δ the velocity is uniform with
almost the freestream value of U implying that there is no pressure gradient in the
outerstream. For small values of viscosity δ(x)<<x, due to which the outer pressure is
imposed on the boundary layer, meaning that there is no pressure gradient experienced
by the boundary layer. Within y= δ, the streamwise velocity variation is approximated
by the following expression-
𝑢 𝑦 𝑦 2
=2 −( )
𝑈 𝛿 𝛿

Consider a control volume abcd, as shown in the figure, for an arbitrary location d at a
streamwise distance x from the leading edge. For the above streamwise velocity
distribution, find the normal velocity v at the point c (i.e find v as a function of x). Find
the friction force (drag) per unit span on the plate as a function of x, using the control
volume approach. (4)

6. The gap shown in the figure has the length L and the height h(t). It is filled with a fluid
of constant density. The top wall moves downward wth velocity V0. The velocity
distribution at the exit is given by the expression-
 𝑦 𝑦 2
𝑢(𝑦) = 4𝑈 [ − ( ) ]
ℎ ℎ

U=U(t) is the maximum velocity in the profile at the exit at any instance t. For the initial
condition h(t=0)=h0, determine the functions h(t) and U(t). (3)

7. A piston moves with a velocity Vp inside a cylinder filled with oil (as shown in the
figure). The velocity w(r) of the exiting oil at the top surface is given by the expression-

𝑟 2
𝑤(𝑟) = 𝑊0 [1 − ( ) ]
𝑟0
Determine the maximum velocity W0 by using a control volume fixed to the interior of
the piston (a control volume moving with a velocity Vp relative to the ground). (3)