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1 - Description of the Flow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2018

Ioannis K. Chatjigeorgiou
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens

Summary

The most complete mathematical formulation for the dynamics of a Newtonian fluid is unquestionably the Navier–Stokes equations, which account for all possible effects, i.e., compressibility, viscosity, and vorticity. Indeed, the Navier–Stokes equations are the most complete tool for describing the flow, and a vast literature exists dealing with and employing them in fluid mechanics, while several emblematic personalities dedicated their careers to this task (e.g., Batchelor, 1967). Navier–Stokes equations can be simplified under certain assumptions; i.e., neglecting viscosity, we arrive at the Euler equations. Further, eliminating terms that govern vorticity, a flow pattern governed by the celebrated Laplace domain may be obtained, in particular by the Laplace equation that assumes the flow of an ideal fluid, which in addition allows the engagement of the potential flow theory. A question that should be answered regarding the employment of the Laplace domain in marine hydrodynamics is, simply: Why potential flow theory? The answer is similarly simple: we do not need to complicate things when the flow field can indeed be described by the dynamics of an ideal fluid such as in the open ocean, where the liquid can be accurately assumed to be incompressible and inviscid and the flow irrotational. In addition, the Laplace equation is a relatively simple formula while potential flow theory is the most robust tool for formulating the dynamics of the free surface. Admittedly, when using more mathematically complete formulations one faces enormous difficulties in attempting to describe accurately the behavior of the free surface. That eventually impacts the way the free surface is formulated (by panels in boundary element methods, or by finite volumes in Navier–Stokes solvers) and accordingly the time required for computations.

The final goal of the text flow in this chapter is to derive the generic forms of most common boundary value problems in hydrodynamics, which are actually fluid–structure interaction problems. In other words, we are seeking the mathematical system that fully describes the flow field assuming a solid within it. The basic three-dimensional hydrodynamic problem, which differentiates it from similar problems in fluid mechanics, should account for given facts, i.e., the existence of the free surface, the existence of the impermeable bottom in shallow water cases, the behavior of the flow at infinity, and apparently the existence of the solid(s).

Toward the final goal one should start from the very beginning, namely from the very basic and complete mathematical formulation. To this end, the Eulerian approach is followed to derive the Navier–Stokes and Euler equations, which are accordingly simplified, and under the assumptions of an ideal fluid and potential flow theory the Laplace domain is established. The basic three-dimensional hydrodynamic boundary value problem is accordingly defined and elaborated by the Stokes perturbations and Taylor expansion for the kinematics and the dynamics of the free surface. The main task in hydrodynamics is the calculation of the forces and the motions of the solid that exists within the reference volume of liquid. Motions are not an issue of concern here but the hydrodynamic parameters that affect them, added mass and hydrodynamic damping coefficients, are indeed considered. The same holds for the loading components. In this chapter only the general formulae are provided, which are accordingly used in the following chapters for more analytic elaboration. Potential flow problems are typically governed by the Green’s functions. To this end the last section of this chapter is dedicated to the famous Green’s theorem.

Information

Figure 0

Figure 1.1 Stresses acting on a cubical fluid particle.

Figure 1

Figure 1.2 Stresses acting on the surfaces of a volume element in the shape of a tetrahedron with three orthogonal faces.

Figure 2

Figure 1.3 A solid that floats in a liquid field of infinite extent.

Figure 3

Figure 1.4 Definitions for integral representations using the Green’s function.

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