Elements of fluid dynamics. (Q2883357)

This book is intended to be a basic text book for the students of engineering, physics and applied mathematics. An attempt is made to explain the equations of fluid motion and their physical and mathematical complexities for variety of fluid motion. Since liquids and gases are distinguishable because of the compressibility, a complete set of equations of a compressible viscous fluid motion is first derived for generality followed by simplifications for incompressible flow. Then the book is divided into two parts which differ in target and method of utilization.NEWLINENEWLINEThe first part in eight chapters deals with the fundamentals of fluid dynamics essential to beginners. The first three chapters are devoted to the properties of fluids and characterizations of fluid motion. The equations of motion are derived in Chapter 4 with a detailed definition of stress tensor for Newtonian fluids and the energy balance, followed by the Navier-Stokes equation. The equations for entropy and enthalpy transports are additional features not available in some of the books on fluid dynamics. Chapter 5 deals with the incompressible flow. Although the assumption of incompressible flow for a non-viscous fluid is merely a mathematical exercise far away from reality, nevertheless the solution provides a first approximation to the experimental evidence.NEWLINENEWLINE Chapters 6-8 deal with the incompressible flows. A beautiful discussion is made in Chapter 6 on the generation of vortices from the solid surface in a small layer of the fluid adjacent to the flow and its diffusion and convection in the bulk fluid. Chapter 7 introduces the concept of Prandtl boundary layer theory for understanding the fluid flow and its behavior. Chapter 8 is an important contribution for predicting aerodynamic load and may be of interest to the designer of space vehicle.NEWLINENEWLINE Part 2 of the book deals with specialized topics, e.g. exact solutions of the incompressible flow are provided in specific cases in Chapter 9. Although in the computer age one prefers a numerical solution, however, an exact analytical solution may provide a benchmark for the validation of numerical solutions. It may also help mathematicians for studying flow stability. The role of energy balance in incompressible flow is discussed in Chapter 10. The vortices introduced in Chapter 6 are further augmented in Chapter 11. Chapter 12 deals with the aerofoils for which the theory introduced in Chapter 8 is extended. This can be of paramount importance to aerodynamicists. Also the aerodynamics of finite wings and bluff bodies are discussed in detail in Chapters 13 and 14. The effect of compressible shock wave generation in one-dimensional flow is discussed in Chapter 15. This may be of particular interest to propulsion engineer. The table of physical parameters, the vector calculus and an up-to-date references provided at the end enhance the utility of the book.NEWLINENEWLINE The book is well written and can be recommended to students and teachers of fluid dynamics.