CEE 451G

Homework Assignment 1

The equation of mass conservation (continuity) for an incompressible fluid is

ui
0 (1)
x i
Consider the illustrated
n̂ control volume. Fluid flows
in the s-direction, and enters
the control volume at
section 1 and exits at
section 2. The sidewalls of
the control volume are solid,
s 2 so that no fluid passes
across them. That is, where
1 ni denotes a unit outward
vector normal to the surface
of the control volume, along
the sidewalls
uini  0
Denoting uini = us (flow velocity in the s direction) along sections 1 and 2 of the
control volume, integrate (1) using the divergence theorem to show that
(  u dA)
s  (  u dA)
s  cons tan t
sec tion 1 sec tion 2

Define the constant as the discharge Q. Further defining a cross-sectionally

averaged streamwise velocity Us as
1
A
Us  us dA

Show that the statement of fluid mass conservation reduces to the form
Us A  Q