Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic

Aerodynamics
1
Chapter 4 (Part A)
Basic Aerodynamics
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Some Definitions in Fluid Flow
A streamline is the path of a
particle in the flow. i.e., the flow
velocity is tangent to a streamline
Thus fluid particles cannot move
across a streamline
Consider streamlines passing
through the circumference of an
imaginary circle drawn perpendi-
cular to the flow direction with
center at some arbitrary point (labeled 1) in the flow
We shall call this position station-1 or section-1
These streamlines form a tube called a stream tube
As the fluid particles move away from station-1, towards another station-2
say, in the stream tube, the cross section of the stream tube could change
Let the average velocity of the particles passing through station-1 be V
1
and
that through station-2 be V
2
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Definitions in Fluid Flow (contd)
Steady flow is a flow in which the velocity at any point in the flow
field is independent of time. However, it may be different at different
points
Thus, in steady flow, the average velocity V
1
at station-1 would not
change over time and neither would the average velocity V
2
at
station-2. Also, V
1
need not be equal to V
2

Uniform flow is a flow in which the velocity is the same everywhere
in the flow field at all times.
Thus uniform flow is necessarily steady but steady flow need not be
uniform
Principle of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be
created nor destroyed
This means that the amount of mass entering the stream tube
through section-1 must equal the mass leaving it through section-2
because mass cannot travel across the boundaries of the stream
tube
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Continuity Equation
The distance traveled by the
fluid particles at section-1 in a
short time dt is V
1
.dt
The corresponding volume is
A
1
V
1
.dt and the corresponding
mass dm
1
, is
1
A
1
V
1
.dt. i.e.,
dm
1
=
1
A
1
V
1
.dt (4.1)
i.e.,

Similarly, Equation (4.2) is called the
Equation of Continuity and is
But from conservation of mass written in the form
and steady flow we have

Therefore (4.2)


i.e.,
1 1 1 1
V A m =
2 2 2 2
V A m =
2 1
m m =
2 2 2 1 1 1
V A V A =
constant = AV
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Continuity Equation (Contd)
For incompressible flow,
1
=
2
, and the equation of continuity
simplifies to
(4.3)
Or


Thus, the velocity in a convergent duct increases while in a divergent
duct it reduces. Example, a garden hose nozzle


2 2 1 1
V A V A =
1
2
1
2
V
A
A
V
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Momentum Equation
Consider an element of fluid at a point P moving along a streamline
Look at the free body diagram of this element. Neglect gravity and
friction effects, and, to avoid clutter, show the pressures acting in the
x-direction only








Apply Newtons 2
nd
law F = ma, we have


And
dz dy dx
dx
dp
dz dy dx
dx
dp
p dz dy p F =
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
dx
dV
V dz dy dx
dt
dV
dz dy dx ma = = ) ( ) (
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Momentum Equation (Contd)
Equating the two expressions and simplifying, we have
(4.8)

This equation is called the Momentum Equation or Eulers Equation
Recall the limitations of this equation:
The flow is inviscid (frictionless)
The flow is steady
Gravity effects are negligible
The momentum equation can be recast into a more useful form for
flow over an airfoil at low speeds (i.e., = constant)




Integrating the momentum equation between two points labeled 1
and 2 on a streamline, and remembering that = constant, we obtain

VdV dp =
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Bernoullis equation









Or

Or

Or

This equation is called Bernoullis Equation

} }
=
2
1
2
1
V
V
p
p
VdV dp
) (
2
1 2
1
2
2 2
1
1 2
V V p p =
2
2 2
1
2
2
1 2
1
1
V p V p + = +
const V p = +
2
2
1

Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic

Aerodynamics
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Bernoullis Equation (Contd)
Bernoullis equation has wide application in aerodynamics. Its
therefore important to remember its limitations
The flow is incompressible
The flow is inviscid (frictionless)
The flow is steady
Gravity effects are negligible
The flow applies to points on the same streamline
For uniform flow, Bernoullis equation becomes applicable for any
two points in the flow not necessarily on the same streamline
Bernoullis equation is only a special case of the momentum
equation. They both relate flow properties (i.e., velocity) at two
different points in the flow. They are therefore sometimes called
flow equations
The state equation (p = RT) is not a flow equation because it
relates properties at the same point in the flow
Chapter 4 (Part A) - Basic
Aerodynamics
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Homework Assignment
Study solved examples 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 in your text
Do the following problems:
4.1 through 4.6