Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Hydraulics II
Chapter 2 : Dimensional
Analysis and Similitude
Instructor: Betelhem
March, 2017
Wondmeh
1
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Dimensions and Units
• Dimension is a measure of a physical quantity (without numerical
values), while a unit is a way to assign a number to that dimension
• Seven fundamental or basic dimensions- mass, length, time,
temperature, electric current, amount of light and amount of matter
• All non- primary dimensions can be formed by some combination of
the seven primary dimensions
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Dimensional Homogeneity
• The law of dimensional homogeneity states that every additive term
in an equation must have the same dimensions. For eg the terms in
Bernouli’s equation
• Any correct equation expressing a physical relationship between
quantities, must be dimensionally homogeneous
• Every term in an equation when reduced to fundamental dimensions
must contain identical powers of each dimension
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Applications of Dimensional Homogeneity
• It facilitates to determine the dimensions of a physical quantity
• It helps to check whether an equation of any physical phenomenon is
dimensionally homogeneous or not
• It provides a step towards dimensional analysis which is fruitfully
employed to plan experiments and to present the results
meaningfully
• Facilitates the conversion of units from one system to another
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique which makes use of
the study of the dimensions for solving several engineering problems
• Dimensional analysis helps in determining a systematic arrangement
of the variables in the physical relationship, combining dimensional
variables to form non-dimensional parameters
• It is based on the principle of dimensional homogeneity and uses the
dimensions of relevant variables affecting the phenomenon
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Advantages of dimensional analysis
• It expresses the function relationship between the variables in
dimensionless terms
• In hydraulic model studies it reduces the number of variables involved
in a physical phenomenon
• It provides partial solutions to the problems that are to complex to be
dealt with mathematically
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Methods of Dimensional Analysis
• Rayleigh’s method – gives special form of relationship among
dimensionless group, and has the inherent drawback that it does not
provide any information regarding the number of dimensionless
groups to be obtained as a result of the dimensional analysis
• It is used for determining the expression for a variable which depends
upon maximum three or four variables only. As the number of
independent variables become more than four, it is very difficult to
find the expression for the dependent variable.
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• The functional relationship of some variables is expressed in the form
of an exponential equation which must be dimensionally
homogeneous.
• X =f(x1, X2, X3, ………Xn)
• X = c(X1^a , X2^b , X3^c ……..Xn^n)
• The values of a, b, c, ……n are obtained by comparing the powers of
the fundamental dimensions on both sides
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Example1: Find an expression for the drag force on smooth sphere of
diameter D, moving with a uniform velocity V in a fluid density Þ and
dynamic viscosity µ
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Example 2: The efficiency of a fan depends on the density, dynamic
viscosity of the fluid, the angular velocity and diameter of the rotor and
the discharge Q. Express the efficiency in terms of dimensionless
parameters
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Buckingham’s П Method/ Theorem
• Is an improvement over Rayleigh’s method
• Useful when a large number of physical variables are involved
• This method let’s us know in advance of the analysis how many
dimensionless groups are to be expected
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Buckingham’s П Theorem states that if there are n variables in a
dimensionally homogeneous equation and if these variables contain
m fundamental dimensions (such as M, L, T, etc.), then the variables
are arranged into (n-m) dimensionless terms. These dimensionless
terms are called П terms.
• Each П term is formed by combining m variables out of the total n
variables with one of the remaining (n-m) variables
• Each П term contains (m+1) variables. The m variables which appear
repeatedly in each П term are called repeating variables
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Repeating variables are chosen from among the variables such that
they together involve all the fundamental dimensions and they
themselves do not form a dimensionless parameter
Selection of repeating variables
• Points that should be kept in view while selecting m repeating
variables
• M repeating variables should contain jointly all the fundamental
dimensions involved in the phenomenon
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• The repeating variables must not form non-dimensional parameters
among themselves
• The dependent variable should not be selected as repeating variable
• No two repeating variables should have the same dimensions
• The repeating variables should be chosen in such a way that one
variable contains geometric properly (e.g. length, diameter, height
etc), other variable contains fluid flow property (e.g. velocity,
acceleration etc) and third variable contains fluid property (e.g. mass,
density, weight density, dynamic viscosity etc)
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Example1: The resistance R experienced by a partially submerged
body depends upon the velocity , length of the body, viscosity of the
fluid, density of the fluid and gravitational acceleration. Obtain a
dimensionless expression for R
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
• It does not give any clue regarding the selection of variables. If the
variables are wrongly taken, the resulting functional relationship is
erroneous.
• The complete information is not provided by dimensional analysis. It
only indicates that there is some relationship between parameters. It
does not give the values of the coefficients in the functional
relationship.
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Model Studies
Model Analysis- in order to know the performance of hydraulic
structures
Advantages of model testing
1. The model tests are quit economical
2. The performance of hydraulic structures/hydraulic machines can be
predicted in advance
3. It can be used to detect and rectify the defects of an existing
structure which is not functioning properly
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Applications of model testing
1. Civil engineering structures such as dams, spillways, weirs, canals
2. Flood control, investigation of silting and scour in rivers, irrigation
channels
3. Turbines, pumps and compressors
4. Tall buildings
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Similitude
• In order that the results obtained in the model studies represent the
behavior of prototype, the following 3 similarities must be ensured
1. Geometric similarity
2. Kinematic similarity
3. Dynamic similarity
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
1. Geometric similarity: the ratios of corresponding lengths in the
model and in the prototype must be same and the included angles
between two corresponding sides must be the same.
• For geometric similarity, Lm/Lp =Hm/Hp = Dm/Dp = Lr
• Similarly Am/Ap = Lr^2
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
2. Kinematic similarity – is the similarity of motion. If at the
corresponding points in the model and in the prototype, the velocity or
acceleration ratios are same and velocity or acceleration vectors point
in the same direction, the two flows are said to be Kinematically similar.
• Geometric similarity is a pre-requisite for Kinematic similarity
• For kinematic similarity (V1)m/(V1)p = (V2)m/(V2)p
(a1)m/(a1)p = (a2)m/(a2)p
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
3. Dynamic similarity- is the similarity of forces. The flows in the model
and in the prototype are dynamically similar if at all the corresponding
points, identical types of forces are parallel and bear the same ratio.
• For dynamic similarity, (Fi)m/(Fi)p = (Fv)m/(Fv)p = (Fg)m/(Fg)p
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Forces Influencing Hydraulic Phenomena
1. Inertia force (Fi)
2. Viscous force (Fv)
3. Gravity force (Fg)
4. Pressure force (Fp)
5. Surface tension force (Fs)
6. Elastic Force (Fe)
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Dimensionless Numbers – are obtained by dividing the inertia force to
the other forces.
• The most important dimensionless numbers are :
1. Reynolds number
2. Froude’s number
3. Euler’s number
4. Weber’s number
5. Mach’s number
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Reynold’s Number (Re) – is defined as the ratio of inertia force to
viscous force
• Inertia force (Fi) = mass X acceleration
𝐹𝑖 = ϸ ∗ 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 ∗ 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 /𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
𝐹𝑖 = ϸ ∗ ∗ 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐹𝑖 = ϸ ∗ 𝐴𝑉 ∗ 𝑉
𝐹𝑖 = ϸ𝐴𝑉^2
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Viscous force (Fv) = shear stress X area
𝑑𝑢
𝐹𝑣 = µ ∗𝐴
𝑑𝑦
𝑉
𝐹𝑣 = µ 𝐿 ∗ 𝐴
𝐹𝑖
𝑅𝑒 = = 𝑉𝑙/µ
𝐹𝑣
For pipe flow 𝑅𝑒 = 𝑉𝐷/µ
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Froude Number (Fr) – is defined as the square root of the ratio of the
inertial forces to gravity force
• Fg = mass X acceleration due to gravity
𝐹𝑖 = ϸ𝐴𝑉^2
𝐹𝑔 = ϸ ∗ 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 ∗ 𝑔
𝐹𝑔 = ϸ𝐴𝐿𝑔
𝐹𝑟 = ϸ𝐴𝑉^2/ϸ𝐴𝐿𝑔
𝐹𝑟 = 𝑉/√𝐿𝑔
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Reynold’s number – in laminar viscous flow in confined passages
(where viscous effects are significant)
• Froude’s number – Free surface flows (where gravity effects are
important)
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Model or Similarity Laws : to ensure dynamic similarity, the ratio of
forces on the model and prototype must be made equal.
• In a general flow field, complete similarity between a model and
prototype is achieved only when there is geometric, kinematic, and
dynamic similarity.
• Models are designed on the basis of the force which is dominating in
the flow situation
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Reynold’s Model Law – in flow situations where in addition to inertia
force viscous force is the only other predominant force, the similarity
of flow in the model and it’s prototype can be established if Reynolds
number is same for both the systems.
(Re)model = (Re)prototype
Situations where Reynolds model law can be applied
1. Flow of incompressible fluid in closed pipes
2. Motion of submarines completely under water
3. Flow around structures and other bodies immersed completely
under moving fluids
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Froude Model Law – When the gravitational force can be considered
to be the only predominant force which controls the motion in
addition to the inertia force.
• (Fr)m =(Fr)p
Situations where where Froude’s model law can be used
1. Free surface flows such as flow over spillways, sluices etc…
2. Flow of jet from an orifice or nozzle
3. Where waves are likely to be formed on the surface
4. Where fluids of different mass densities flow over one another
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Example1: An oil of specific gravity 0.92 and viscosity 0.03 poise is to be
transported at the rate of 2500 litres/sec through a 1.2m diameter
pipe. Tests were conducted on a 12 cm diameter pipe using water at
20c. If the viscosity of water at the given temperature is 0.01 poise.
Find: a) velocity of flow in the model;
b) Rate of flow in the model
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
• Example2: In the model test of a spillway the discharge and velocity
of flow over the model were 2.5 cumec and 1.5 m/s respectively.
Calculate the velocity and discharge over the prototype which is 36
times the model size.