Chapter 4:
Two-Dimensional, Steady-State
Conduction
The Method of Separation of
Variables
• For two-dimensional, steady-state conditions with no generation
and constant thermal conductivity:
• Introducing θ as follows:
• Two boundary conditions are needed for each of the coordinates:
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The Method of Separation of Variables (continued)
• Assuming the existence of a solution of the form:
• Hence the equality can apply in general only if both sides are equal to
the same separation constant as λ2:
• Solving these equations above the boundary conditions leads to the
following solution:
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Finite-Difference Equations
• Numerical solution enables determination of the temperature at only
discrete points.
• The first step in any numerical analysis must therefore be to select
these points.
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Finite-Difference Form of the Heat Equation (Interior node)
• The value of the second derivative 𝜕 2𝑇/𝜕𝑥 2 at the (m, n) nodal point
may be approximated as:
• Expressing 𝜕 2𝑇/𝜕𝑦 2 the same way as above and setting ∆x = ∆y:
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The Energy Balance Method
• The finite-difference equation for a node is obtained by applying
conservation of energy to a control volume about the nodal region.
• Allows analysis involving multiple materials, embedded heat sources,
or exposed surfaces.
• Assumes that all the heat flow is into
the node.
• For steady-state conditions with
generation, the appropriate form is:
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The Energy Balance Method (continued)
• Replacing back and setting ∆x = ∆y :
• A finite-difference equation is needed for each nodal point at which
the temperature is unknown.
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The Energy Balance Method (continued)
• Not all points are interior points (temperature may be unknown at an
insulated surface or at a surface that is exposed to convective
conditions).
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The Energy Balance Method (continued)
• For ∆x = ∆y :
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Solving the Finite-Difference Equations
• Consider a system of N finite-difference equations corresponding to
N unknown temperatures.
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