Paper 1, Section I, B

Fluid Dynamics
Part IB, 2014

Constant density viscous fluid with dynamic viscosity μ\mu flows in a two-dimensional horizontal channel of depth hh. There is a constant pressure gradient G>0G>0 in the horizontal xx-direction. The upper horizontal boundary at y=hy=h is driven at constant horizontal speed U>0U>0, with the lower boundary being held at rest. Show that the steady fluid velocity uu in the xx-direction is

u=G2μy(hy)+Uyhu=\frac{-G}{2 \mu} y(h-y)+\frac{U y}{h}

Show that it is possible to have du/dy<0d u / d y<0 at some point in the flow for sufficiently large pressure gradient. Derive a relationship between GG and UU so that there is no net volume flux along the channel. For the flow with no net volume flux, sketch the velocity profile.