Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
Chapter 8
DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS &
SIMILITUDE
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
Chapter Summary
The Need For Dimensional Analysis
Dimensions and Equation
The Buckingham Π Theorem
Dimensional Analysis Process
Common Dimensionless Numbers
Similitude
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.1. The Need For Dimensional Analysis
Empirical/Experimental Work is commonly used in
Fluid Mechanics because of the nature of fluid e.g
turbulent which preclude exact solution
In correlating experimental data dimensionless
parameters are normally employed
The method of obtaining this dimensionless parameters
which describe a certain physical phenomena is called
dimensional analysis
Dimensional Analysis will substantially reduce the
number of experiments that need to be performed in
order to obtain an empirical correlation
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.1. The Need For Dimensional Analysis ..
Consider an experimental work to determine effect of
pipe diameter d1 and nozzle diameter do , fluid density ρ,
and velocity, V1 on the the pressure drop across an
inverted flow nozzle :
Without using dimensionless number, a lot of
experiments need to be performed for various nozzle
sizes, various pipe sizes, velocity and fluid density.
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.1. The Need For Dimensional Analysis ..
However, if the dimensionless parameters are known, all
the graphs will fall onto the same curve and correlations
can easily be obtained.
Once the correlation is obtained, the effect of any
parameters can be determined directly.
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.2. Dimensions and Equation
All variables are normally expresses in terms of limited
numbers of basic dimensions.
3 basic dimensions that are commonly used in
engineering are MASS, LENGTH and TIME
Variable Unit Dimensions
Force kgms-2 MLT-2
Pressure kgm-1s-2 ML-1T-2
Viscosity kgm-1s-1 ML-1T-1
Principle of Dimensional Homogeneity states that ‘All
equations developed from basic laws of physics must be
dimensionally homogeneous’…. Which means that the LHS
and RHS of the equation must have the same dimensions
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.3. The Buckingham ∏ Theorem
Buckingham (1915) developed this theorem
If the equation describing a physical system has n
dimensional variables and is expressed as :
y1 = f ( y2 , y3 , y4 , y5 .........., yn )
With m basic dimensions
Then it can be rearranged and expressed in terms (n-m)
dimensionless parameters (π-group) :
π 1 = φ (π 2 , π 3 , π 4 , π 5 .........., π n− m )
In the inverted nozzle example :
∆P is dependent on d1, do, ρ and V
Thus n = 5, m = 3
By Buckingham ∏ theorem, π = 2 π 1 = φ (π 2 )
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.4. Dimensional Analysis Process
Dimensional analysis is a process of obtaining the
dimensionless parameters
Example 1: Consider the inverted nozzle problem. Given
that the pressure drop across the nozzle, ∆P, is
dependent on the pipe diameter, d1 nozzle diameter, do ,
fluid density, ρ and velocity, V. Show that the
dimensionless statement of this relation is of the
following form :
∆p d1
2
= φ
ρV d2
Given experimental data, we can plot graphs of ∆P/ρV2
against d1/d2 and obtain the exact relationship.
Thus the effect of changes in any variable can be
calculated.
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.4. Dimensional Analysis Process …
Example 2: The drag, FD of a sphere in a fluid flowing past a sphere is a
function of the viscosity, m, density, r, velocity, V and diameter, D. Show
that the dimensionless statement of this relation is of the following form :
FD µ
2 2
= φ
ρV D ρVD
Experiment has been performed using spheres of diameter D1 = 10
cm and D2 = 20 cm. The free stream velocities are varied and the drag
forces are measured. Plot the graph of FD against V for D1 = 10 cm and
D2 = 20 cm. Then plot the graph of FD/(ρV2D2) against µ/(ρVD). From
the graph, obtain the exact relationship between the variables. (µ = 0.01
Ns/m2, ρ = 880 kg/m3)
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.5. Common Dimensionless Numbers
There are quite a few dimensionless numbers used in Fluid
Mechanics ~ usually named after the person that discover it
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.5. Common Dimensionless Numbers …
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.5. Common Dimensionless Numbers …
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.6. Similitude
Model testing is commonly used in engineering
For examples
– Testing of aircraft in a wind tunnel … due to the limited
size of the tunnel..scale down model need to be used
– Testing of ship model in a towing tank
– Testing of hydraulic machines
– Modeling of flow through dam spillway
Law of similitude must be applied when performing
model test in order to make sure that the data obtained
is representing the actual behavior of the full scale
prototype
Law of similitude involves the use of dimensionless
numbers
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.6. Similitude …
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.6. Similitude …
Geometric Similitude – The model must be exact replica
of the full scale prototype
l m wm cm ∀m 3
= = = Lr = scale _ ratio = Lr
l p wp c p ∀p
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.6. Similitude …
Dynamic Similitude – The forces that act on corresponding
masses in the model and prototype must be in the same ratio
Fm
= constant
Fp
Force triangles will be
congruent .. This ensure
similarity in flow pattern
This require the relevant
dimensionless number to be
the same
π m = π p ......for_all_dimensionless_group
Aerodynamic ~ Re number
Free surface ~ Froude number
Compressible ~ Mach number
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
8.6. Similitude …
Example :
A 1/5th scale model of a car is to be tested in a wind tunnel.
The prototype will be used in a cold country with ambient
temperature of 5oC at a cruising speed of 100 km/hr.
Determine the air speed that need to be used in the test if
the wind tunnel air temperature is maintained at 25oC.
Assume same pressures for both prototype and model.
Department of Mechanical Engineering MEHB334
Mechanics of Fluids : Chap. 8: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
End of Chapter 8