1. What is Shear Velocity?

Shear velocity, also called friction velocity, is a form by which a shear stress may be re-written in units of velocity. It is particularly important in the study of turbulent flow in pipes and other fluid dynamics applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Shear Velocity formula:

Where:

• \( V' \) — Shear velocity (m/s)
• \( \tau \) — Shear stress (Pascal)
• \( \rho_f \) — Density of fluid (kg/m³)

Explanation: The formula calculates the shear velocity by taking the square root of the ratio of shear stress to fluid density.

3. Importance of Shear Velocity Calculation

Details: Shear velocity is crucial for understanding turbulent flow characteristics, calculating friction factors, and analyzing fluid behavior in pipes and channels.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter shear stress in Pascal and fluid density in kg/m³. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the physical significance of shear velocity?
A: Shear velocity represents the velocity scale associated with the turbulent fluctuations near a boundary in fluid flow.

Q2: How is shear velocity related to friction factor?
A: Shear velocity is directly related to the friction factor through the relationship with wall shear stress in pipe flow calculations.

Q3: Can this formula be used for laminar flow?
A: While the formula is mathematically valid, shear velocity is primarily used and most meaningful in the context of turbulent flow analysis.

Q4: What are typical units for shear velocity?
A: Shear velocity is typically measured in meters per second (m/s) in the SI system.

Q5: How does fluid density affect shear velocity?
A: Higher fluid density results in lower shear velocity for the same shear stress, as the velocity is inversely proportional to the square root of density.