Deriving Navier-Stokes Equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equation, focusing on the acceleration of fluid elements, the role of stress tensors, and the relationship between stress and velocity gradients in viscous fluids. Participants explore various aspects of the equation, including gravitational effects, pressure gradients, and viscous forces.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equation, introducing terms for gravitational acceleration, pressure gradient, and tangential forces, and seeks assistance on calculating the latter.
  • Another participant questions the omission of the divergence of the viscous stress tensor in the differential force balance equation, prompting a discussion on the relationship between stress tensor components and velocity gradient components.
  • Several participants discuss the formulation of the stress tensor for a viscous Newtonian fluid, with references to both one-dimensional and three-dimensional versions of the shear stress equations.
  • Concerns are raised about the simplification of the approach to deriving the Navier-Stokes equation, emphasizing the necessity of considering changes in stresses across the fluid element.
  • A later reply suggests that using the stress tensor formulation leads to a specific expression for the right-hand side of the Navier-Stokes equation, but the derivation remains under discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate approach to deriving the Navier-Stokes equation, with some advocating for a more complex treatment involving the full stress tensor while others attempt a simpler method. No consensus is reached regarding the best approach or the completeness of the derivation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of including all relevant terms in the force balance, particularly the changes in stresses across the fluid element, which may affect the derivation. There is also mention of the need to consider three-dimensional aspects in the formulation.

Apashanka
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Just trying to derive the Navier-Stokes equation.
(1)The velocity at any point in space of an infinitesimal fluid element is v(x,y,z,t)
(2) acceleration ##\frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial t}+\sum_i\frac{\partial v_i}{\partial x_i}{\dot x_i}##
##a=\frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial t}+\sum_i\frac{\partial v_i}{\partial x_i}{v_i}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial t}+(v • \nabla)v=\frac{Dv}{Dt}##
On the Rhs
(1) g acceleration due to gravity.
(2) acceleration due to pressure gradient (due to normal force on the surface)=##-\frac{\nabla p}{\rho}##
Therefore ##\frac{Dv}{Dt}=g-\frac{\nabla p}{\rho}##+acceleration due to the tangential forces on the infinitesimal fluid element
Can anyone please help me out in how to calculate the acceleration due to tangential forces on the surface??
For the cubical infinitesimal volume element having edges dx,dy,dz
##F_x=\eta \frac{dv_x}{dz}|_{x,y}dxdy##
##F_y=\eta \frac{dv_y}{dz}|_{x,y}dx dy##
##F_z=\eta \frac{dv_z}{dy}|_{x,z}dx dz##
##a_x=\frac{\eta \frac{dv_x}{dz}|_{x,y}}{\rho dz}##
##a_y=\frac{\eta \frac{dv_y}{dz}|_{x,y}}{\rho dz}##
##a_z=\frac{\eta \frac{dv_z}{dy}|_{x,z}}{\rho dy}##
##\eta## is the coefficient of viscocity
Can anyone please help me in how to proceed further to put these terms in the RHS of the navier Stokes equation??
Here is a rough diagram
IMG_20190325_134944.jpg
 
Last edited:
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What is the relationship between the 6 components of the stress tensor and the components of the velocity gradient tensor for a viscous Newtonian fluid?

In your differential force balance equation, you omitted the term representing the divergence of the viscous stress tensor. Why?
 
Chestermiller said:
What is the relationship between the 6 components of the stress tensor and the components of the velocity gradient tensor for a viscous Newtonian fluid?
The stress tensor components are ##\sigma_{ij}=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{\partial v^i}{\partial x^j}+\frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^i})## and from Newton's law of viscocity the shear stress ##\tau=\eta \frac{\partial v}{\partial x}## that's what I have used...
But what will be the actual result and how it is coming will you please suggest...is my approach wrong??
I want to just do it with a very simplectic approach...
 
Last edited:
Apashanka said:
The stress tensor components are ##\sigma_{ij}=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{\partial v^i}{\partial x^j}+\frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^i})## and from Newton's law of viscocity the shear stress ##\tau=\eta \frac{\partial v}{\partial x}## that's what I have used...
This equation ##\tau=\eta \frac{\partial v}{\partial x}## is the one dimensional version of this equation ##\sigma_{ij}=\frac{\eta}{2}(\frac{\partial v^i}{\partial x^j}+\frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^i})##. You need to use the 3D version in deriving the NS equation.
But what will be the actual result and how it is coming will you please suggest...is my approach wrong??
I want to just do it with a very simplectic approach...
You can't do it with the simplistic approach because it is 3D. Also, in your approach, you omitted the changes in the stresses from one side of the cube to the other. The missing terms in your force balance are, for the x component, $$\frac{\partial \sigma_{xx}}{\partial x}+\frac{\partial \sigma_{xy}}{\partial y}+\frac{\partial \sigma_{xz}}{\partial z}$$
 
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Okk using ##\sigma_{ij}=\frac{\mu}{2}(\partial_j v^i+\partial_i v^j)## the Rhs comes as ##\frac{\mu}{2\rho}(\nabla^2 v)+\frac{1}{2\rho}(\nabla(\nabla • v))-\frac{\nabla p}{\rho}+g=\frac{Dv}{Dt}##
 
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