Torque and concentric cylinders fluids

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the torque on the outer edge of two concentric cylinders filled with a Newtonian fluid, where the inner cylinder is at rest and the outer cylinder rotates. Participants explore the necessary equations and concepts related to shear stress and the stress tensor in cylindrical coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that torque can be calculated using the equation ##\vec{T} = \vec{r}\times \vec{F}##, where ##\vec{F}## is derived from shear stress in the ##\theta## direction.
  • Another participant challenges the initial formulation of shear stress, stating that the shear stress is a vector and the gradient of velocity is a tensor, suggesting a more complex relationship involving the stress tensor for a Newtonian fluid.
  • There is a suggestion to look up the components of the stress tensor in cylindrical coordinates rather than deriving them from scratch.
  • A request is made for a derivation of the gradient of the velocity vector in cylindrical coordinates, indicating interest in understanding the process rather than just obtaining the result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the formulation of shear stress and the approach to calculating torque, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus on the correct method.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of deriving the necessary equations in cylindrical coordinates and the potential for confusion regarding the definitions and relationships between shear stress and the stress tensor.

member 428835
Hi PF!

If we have two concentric cylinders with Newtonian fluid between them, and the small cylinder is at rest and the larger cylinder with radius ##R## rotates at some angular velocity ##\Omega##, how would you calculate torque ##\vec{T}## on the outer edge?

My thoughts: ##\vec{T} = \vec{r}\times \vec{F}## where ##\vec{r}=R\vec{r}##. To find ##\vec{F}##, we'll need the shear stress in the ##\theta## direction. I know in general the shear stress ##\bar{\bar\tau}## is a second order tensor defined for a Newtonian incompressible fluid as ##\bar{\bar\tau} = \mu \nabla \vec{V}##. So then ##\vec{F} = \bar{\bar\tau} \cdot \hat{\theta} = (\mu \nabla \vec{V}) \cdot \hat{\theta}##. Since I don't know ##\nabla \vec{V}## in cylindrical coordinates, I cannot proceed. Please help me out here.

If I knew ##(\mu \nabla \vec{V}) \cdot \hat{\theta}## then ##\vec{F} = \iint_S (\mu \nabla \vec{V}) \cdot \hat{\theta} \, dA## where ##S## is the boundary of the cylinder and ##dA## is an area element.
 
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joshmccraney said:
Hi PF!

If we have two concentric cylinders with Newtonian fluid between them, and the small cylinder is at rest and the larger cylinder with radius ##R## rotates at some angular velocity ##\Omega##, how would you calculate torque ##\vec{T}## on the outer edge?

My thoughts: ##\vec{T} = \vec{r}\times \vec{F}## where ##\vec{r}=R\vec{r}##. To find ##\vec{F}##, we'll need the shear stress in the ##\theta## direction. I know in general the shear stress ##\bar{\bar\tau}## is a second order tensor defined for a Newtonian incompressible fluid as ##\bar{\bar\tau} = \mu \nabla \vec{V}##.
This equation is not correct. The shear stress is a vector and del V is a tensor. The rheological equation for a Newtonian fluid is: $$\pmb{\sigma}=-p\mathbf{I}+\mu(\pmb{\nabla}\mathbf{V}+(\pmb{\nabla}\mathbf{V})^T)$$To get the shear stress you are looking for, you would have to dot this with a unit vector in the radial direction and with a unit vector in the tangential direction.
The easiest thing to do is look up the components of the stress tensor in terms of the components of the velocity vector for cylindrical coordinates on line. Or, do you feel compelled to derive the gradient of velocity vector in cylindrical coordinates on your own?
 
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Chestermiller said:
The easiest thing to do is look up the components of the stress tensor in terms of the components of the velocity vector for cylindrical coordinates on line. Or, do you feel compelled to derive the gradient of velocity vector in cylindrical coordinates on your own?
I would like to see how the derivation goes, if you know a reference or would walk me through it?
 
joshmccraney said:
I would like to see how the derivation goes, if you know a reference or would walk me through it?
Section 1.2, BSL
 
Thanks!
 

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