Paper 2, Section II, C

Fluid Dynamics II
Part II, 2012

An incompressible viscous liquid occupies the long thin region 0yh(x)0 \leqslant y \leqslant h(x) for 0x0 \leqslant x \leqslant \ell, where h(x)=d1+αxh(x)=d_{1}+\alpha x with h(0)=d1,h()=d2<d1h(0)=d_{1}, h(\ell)=d_{2}<d_{1} and d1d_{1} \ll \ell. The top boundary at y=h(x)y=h(x) is rigid and stationary. The bottom boundary at y=0y=0 is rigid and moving at velocity (U,0,0)(U, 0,0). Fluid can move in and out of the ends x=0x=0 and x=x=\ell, where the pressure is the same, namely p0p_{0}.

Explaining the approximations of lubrication theory as you use them, find the velocity profile in the long thin region, and show that the volume flux QQ (per unit width in the zz-direction) is

Q=Ud1d2d1+d2Q=\frac{U d_{1} d_{2}}{d_{1}+d_{2}}

Find also the value of h(x)h(x) (i) where the pressure is maximum, (ii) where the tangential viscous stress on the bottom y=0y=0 vanishes, and (iii) where the tangential viscous stress on the top y=h(x)y=h(x) vanishes.