1

LECTURE 4
Multidimensional Systems.
Introduction
We have, to this point, considered only One Dimensional, Steady State
problems. The reason for this is that such problems lead to ordinary
differential equations and can be solved with relatively ordinary
mathematical techniques.
In general the properties of any physical system may depend on both
location (x, y, z) and time (). The inclusion of two or more independent
variables results in a partial differential equation; the analytical solution
of such problems is beyond the scope of this course and we shall resort
to numerical techniques for all such problems.
There is, however, one group of problems that have been analyzed using
analytical solutions and results are presented in the literature. For this
special class of problems, one may simply look up the solution. A series
of such problems is presented in Table 4.1, page 193 of the text. Note
that the number of geometries presented is quite limited so that it is only
on occasion that this technique can be used. When it can, it is quite
simple. Results for this method are presented in the form:
q = SkT
where k is the thermal conductivity of the material through which
conduction is occurring and S is a shape factor defined in the table. The
use of the method is, I think, obvious provided one knows of the
existence of such tables.

Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001

Example: A 10 cm OD uninsulated pipe carries steam from the power

plant across campus. Find the heat loss if the pipe is buried 1 m in the
ground is the ground surface temperature is 50 oC. Assume a thermal
conductivity of the sandy soil as k = 0.52 w/m K.
The shape factor for long cylinders is found in Table 4.1 as Case 2, with
L >> D:
S = 2L/ln(4z/D)
Where z = depth at which pipe is buried.
S = 21m/ln(40) = 1.7 m
Then
q' = (1.7m)(0.52 W/mK)(100 oC - 50 oC)
q' = 44.2 W

NUMERICAL METHODS:
Theoretical Considerations
In previous semesters I have generally begun this presentation with a
description of the theoretical basis of numerical methods. While such an
orderly presentation continues to be highly desirable, time constraints
have required that this material, already developed in the course
Numerical Methods, be omitted here.
The more formal method of developing the equations, used in numerical
solutions to the general conduction equation, finds it foundation in the
Taylor series. This is the approach used in Numerical Methods and the
Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001

approach has a significant advantage in that it provides a method of

evaluating the accuracy of such techniques.
In this course we will use an alternate approach based on the onedimensional electrical analogy previously developed. The primary
advantage of this method is in the very simplicity of this approach.
Numerical Grids
In analyzing any multi-dimensional
system, begin by subdividing any twodimensional region into rectangular
areas and three-dimensional regions into
nodal parallelepipeds using a nodal
array. This is shown below for a
representative two-dimensional system.
Note that on the boundaries the nodal
points lie on the edge lines. (This is
important to avoid further difficulties in
analyzing the system.)
Next proceed to draw a grid to
subdivide the nodes. Often this grid is
drawn midway between nodes.
Each node, defined in this way, is to
represent a small, but finite, control
volume. The procedure involves doing
an energy balance on each.
The starting point in each case is to
write the Conservation of Energy equation:

dE
Q i n Q g e n
d
Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001

Steady State Systems

In Chapter 4 of the text, we consider only those problems in which
system properties do not change with time, i.e. dE/d = 0. We may
therefore simplify and rewrite conservation as:

dE
d

Q i n Q g e n
cv

An internal node is one that has adjacent nodes

on all sides. A typical internal node is shown to
the side. Label the central node, P; the node
below, S (south); above, N (north); the node to
the right, E (east); and the node to the left, W W
(west). In three-dimensional systems there will
also be a node in front (F) and one behind (B).

For an arbitrary grid point within a system, we do not generally know

the direction of energy flow. As a convention assume that heat flows
into the central node, P, from all of the surrounding nodes, (S, N, E, W
and for 3-D systems, F & B).
Now replace the individual heat flow terms in Conservation of Energy
by using the Fourier-Biot law and the electrical analogy:
TS TP
TN TP
TE TP
TW T P

q x y 1 0
y
y

x
x
k x 1
k x 1

k y 1
k y 1

Note that for 3-D systems there will be two additional terms to account
for the front and back of the control volume.
In the special case that x = y = , this equation can be algebraically
simplified and rearranged to the form:
Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001

q 2
4TP (TS + TN + TE + TW) +
=0
k
Example:
Consider the two-dimensional,
triangular system, without sources,
shown. The temperatures along
each of the boundaries are
prescribed as seen. It is seen that
all temperatures are proscribed
except for the interior nodes,
labeled A, B and C.

T = 50

T= 200

C
T= 100

In order to solve for these nodes,

we write the nodal energy balance
for each node separately:
Node A:

4TA (TB + 200 + 200 + 50) = 0

Node B:

4TB (100 + TA + TC + 50) = 0

Node C:

4TC (100 + 200 + 200 + TB) = 0

We see that we have one equation for each unknown temperature. We

may solve the simultaneous equations using matrix methods:

4 1 0 TA
200 200 50
1 4 1 T

100 50

1
4
100

200

200

TC

So that:
Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001

T = 140.2, T = 110.7 and T = 152.7.

The procedure used here involved only three nodes. If an engineer

wished to examine a three-dimensional system in some detail the
number of nodes is found to rise rapidly. Say, for example, that an
engineer chooses to evaluate the temperature distribution in an engine
block by subdividing the system into 100x100x50 nodes. The resultant
system would have 5x105 nodes, would require 5x105 equations and
would require the solution of a 5x105x5x105 matrix. The computational
facilities required to solve such large matrices quickly and efficiently
become quite large. Hint: Whenever conditions of symmetry exist, this
problem is simplified as only a representative part of the overall system
need be evaluated.
Boundary Nodes
In the example given, the boundary nodes all had specified temperatures.
Since the temperatures were known, there was no need to develop an
energy balance about them. In general, the boundary conditions may
involve a convective condition, an insulated boundary, a specified heat
flux or some other condition. In addition, such boundaries may involve
unusual geometries, particularly at corners. Then number of possible
combinations of conditions at boundaries is so large, that the student
must understand the general procedure in order
to be able to handle any possible combination
N
of events.
P

Consider, for example, the interior corner

shown.
The face lying along the x direction has a
specified heat flux, qo and along the y
direction there is a convection coefficient, h,
and coolant at temperature, T.

W
q" = qo
S
q = h(T-T)

As before we may proceed by writing an energy balance about the individual

boundary node, P. Assume no heat sources present.

Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001

TS TP

k 1 x 1
2

TN TP
TE TP

x
k x 1

1
k 2 y 1

TW T P

k y 1

q o 1 2 x 1 h 1 2 y 1 T T P 0

We still need to clean this up algebraically. The procedure is simplified

if x = y = .
T S T P T N T P T E T P T W T P q o 1 h

T T P 0
2
1
2
1
2 k
2
k

The dimensions of each of the terms are those of temperature. The last
term is seen to have a coefficient (h/k) which must be nondimensional. This combination is termed the Grid Biot Number.
Bi h/k
Then,

T P 2 T N T P T E T P 2 T W T P

q o
B i T T P 0
k

This equation needs to be put into a suitable algebraic form to fit into the
solution matrix:

6 B i T P T S 2 T N T E 2 T W

q o
B i T
k

Note that a similar process would be required for any other boundary
configuration or other set of boundary conditions.

Heat Transfer
EML 4142
Spring 2001