Mechanics of Fluids Unit 7

Lecture Notes 52
EXACT SOLUTIONS OF NAVIER STOKES EQUATIONS ( Session #7 )
( Velocity distribution in Turbulent flow in smooth pipes )

Velocity distribution in Turbulent flow in smooth pipes

The velocity distribution for turbulent flow in smooth or rough pipe is given by the equation :-
v
v = ∗ log e y + C
κ

It may be seen that at y=0, the velocity u at wall is -∞ . This means that velocity v is positive at some distance far away
from the wall and -∞ (minus infinity) at the wall. Hence at some finite distance from the wall the velocity will be equal
to zero. Let this distance from the pipe wall is y ′ . Now the constant C is determined from the boundary condition i.e., at
y = y ′, v = 0. Hence the above equation becomes as :-

v∗
0= log e y ′ + C
κ
v
C = − ∗ log e y ′
κ
Substituting the value of C in the above equation , we have : -
v∗ v
v= log e y − ∗ log e y ′
κ κ
v  y
= ∗ log e  
κ  y′ 
Substituting the value of κ = 0.4, we get
v∗  y  y
v= log e   = 2.5v ∗ log e  
0.4  y′   y′ 
v  y
= 2.5 × 2.3log 10  
v∗  y′ 
v  y
= 5.75log 10  
v∗  y′ 

For the smooth boundary, there exists a laminar sub-layer. The velocity distribution in the laminar sublayer is parabolic
in nature. Thus in the laminar sub-layer, logarithmic velocity distribution does not hold good. Thus it can be assumed
that y ′ is proportional to δ ′ , where δ ′ is the thickness of laminar sublayer. From Nikuradse’s experiment the value of
y ′ is given as
 Mechanics of Fluids Unit 7
Lecture Notes 52

δ′ 11.6 γ
y′ = where δ ′ = , where γ = Kinematic vis cos ity of fluid
107 v∗
11.6 γ 1 0.108γ
∴ y′ = × =
v∗ 107 v∗
Substituting this value of y ′ in the above equation, we obtain
 
 
v
= 5.75log 10  y 
v∗  0.108γ 
 
 v∗ 
 yv∗   yv 
= 5.75log 10   = 5.75log 10  ∗ × 9.259 
 0.108γ   γ 
 yv 
= 5.75log 10  ∗  + 5.55
 γ 

Velocity distribution in Turbulent flow in rough pipes

In case of rough boundaries, the thickness of laminar sub-layer is very small. The surface irregularities are above the
laminar sub-layer and hence the laminar sub-layer is completely destroyed. Thus y ′ can be considered proportional to
the height of protrusions k.
k
Nikuradse’s experiment shows the value of y ′ for pipes coated with uniform sand (rough pipes) as y ′ =
30
′
Substituting the value of y in equation, we get
 y 
v
= 5.75log 10   = 5.75 log  y  × 30
 10  k  
v∗  k     
 30 
y
= 5.75 log 10   + 5.75log 10 (30 )
k
y
= 5.75 log 10   + 8.5
k

References :- 1) Fluid mechanics and Hydraulic machines by R.K.Bansal.

2) Fluid mechanics and Hydraulic machines by Modi and Seth.