On the linearized theory op flow around bodies. Method of force sources

The method of force sources is proposed for solving linear problems related to the interaction between rigid bodies, and fluids, or gases. Method is based on the introduction of perturbation force sources into equation of motion of fluid media. Boundary conditions at the rigid body surface make it possible to reduce the problem of hydrodynamic reactions to an integral equation defining the function of force sources. Method is illustrated by the solution of three simple problems in the field of acoustics, and of viscous, and compressible media flow around bodies.

In the linearized theory of flow around rigid bodies, as well as in acoustics, an important part of the sound wave generation analysis concerns the determination of hydrodynamic reactions of the medium on moving, pulsating, or oscillating bodies. Such reactions make themselves felt as constant, or variable mechanical forces, such as drag and lift, or in the case of sound wave emitters, as the wave resistance. Various methods had been proposed for the computation of such forces, as for example, in the monographs 1 to 6].

Here, a different approach to the problem of determination of surface forces exerted by liquids and gases on the rigid body is proposed. By resorting to the formalism of the generalized functions it is possible to introduce into the equations of motion of fluid media a perturbation source in the form volume density of forces exercised by the body on the gas. The distribution of surface tension entering into the expression of this force is selected in such a manner as to satisfy boundary conditions at the body surface. It becomes possible with the use of this device to reduce the problem of determination of forces acting on the body surface to the solution of certain Integral equations. The proposed method is in all respects completely analogous to the well-known method of sources and sinks 1 to 1]. Both methods reduce the problem of interaction between body and gas to the solution of Integral equations. The method of sources and sinks, however, leads to an integral equation which describes the distribution of fictitious sources and sinks in the volume of the body having the density of the medium, while the method of force sources yields an integral equation which directly defines the distribution of mechanical forces over the surface of the body (*).

We may note that the method of force sources had to a certain extent been already used in papers 6 and 7] for the determination of sound radiation by means of point-force sources.