AdvancedTopic 80 of 105Thermodynamics & Fluids
Navier-Stokes equations
Fundamental equations governing viscous fluid motion.
In depth
ρ(∂V/∂t+V·∇V)=-∇P+μ∇²V+ρg, with continuity ∇·V=0 for incompressible flow. They govern all Newtonian fluid motion, but analytic solutions exist only for simple cases (Couette, Poiseuille). Their turbulence is a major open mathematical problem.
Key points
- Inertia, pressure, viscous and body terms
- Non-dimensionalised with Re
- Basis for CFD
ExamplePoiseuille flow solution gives the parabolic pipe profile.
What is Navier-Stokes equations?
Fundamental equations governing viscous fluid motion.
Why is it important to understand navier-Stokes equations?
The Navier-Stokes equations describe viscous fluid motion in full, so they underlie nearly every detailed fluid simulation.
What do the Navier-Stokes equations express?
Conservation of mass and momentum for a viscous fluid, with the viscous terms describing friction within the fluid.
Why are they hard to solve?
They are nonlinear and turbulence adds many scales, so exact solutions exist only for simple cases, and numerical solution is required in practice.
How is Navier-Stokes equations used in practice?
Typical applications include simulating the flow of blood through a stenosed artery, predicting the airflow in a building ventilation design and computing the drag on a car with a computational model.
What should I learn before Navier-Stokes equations?
Study "Normal shock waves" first (topic 79 of 105 in Thermodynamics & Fluids). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Navier-Stokes equations?
Inertia, pressure, viscous and body terms. Non-dimensionalised with Re. Basis for CFD.
Can you give an example of Navier-Stokes equations?
Poiseuille flow solution gives the parabolic pipe profile.
What comes after Navier-Stokes equations?
The next topic is "Potential flow", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Navier-Stokes equations?
It is classed as Advanced in Thermodynamics & Fluids (topic 80 of 105). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Thermodynamics & Fluids.