Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 2 / 36B (Fluid Dynamics II)

Work per unit axial length, with $y$ vertically upward and $x$ across the thin gap. In the frame of the downward-translating cylinder, the wall moves upward at speed $U$ and the cylinder surface is stationary. Let $\eta$ be viscosity and use the leading lubrication theoryThe transverse pressure gradient is negligible; solving $\eta u_{xx}=p_y$ with $u(0)=U$, $u(h)=0$ givesThe flux $q$ is constant by incompressibility. Equal ambient pressure at both ends implies $\int p_{y}dy=0$. With $I_j={\int }_{-\infty }^{\infty }{h}^{-j}dy$ and $I_2/I_3=4h_0/3$, this yieldsThe tangential traction on the cylinder isSince $I_2=I_1/(2h_0)$, its integrated force is $-2\eta U{I}_1+4\eta U{h}_0{I}_2=0$. Pressure acts radially on a circular cylinder and contributes no torque; the tangential traction has moment arm $a$ to leading order. HenceFor clarity, the total vertical hydrodynamic force is not zero. Its leading pressure contribution isupward, while the leading shear contribution just calculated vanishes. Thus this model predicts no induced rolling direction: a freely rotating cylinder can remain nonrotating, rather than rolling like a wheel in contact with the wall. This is the torque-free cylinder in a lubrication gap cancellation; finite ends or different boundary conditions would require a different model.