CH 1044 Fluid Dynamics
Tutorial 8 – Dimensional Analysis
Q1
EXAMPLE 7–9 Friction in a Pipe
Consider flow of an incompressible fluid of density and viscosity through a long, horizontal section of round pipe
of diameter D. The velocity profile is sketched in Fig. 7–34; V is the average speed across the pipe cross section, which
by conservation of mass remains constant down the pipe. For a very long pipe, the flow eventually becomes
hydrodynamically fully developed, which means that the velocity profile also remains uniform down the pipe. Because
of frictional forces between the fluid and the pipe wall, there exists a shear stress 𝜏𝑤 on the inside pipe wall as
sketched. The shear stress is also constant down the pipe in the fully developed region. We assume some constant
average roughness height along the inside wall of the pipe. In fact, the only parameter that is not constant down the
length of pipe is the pressure, which must decrease (linearly) down the pipe in order to “push” the fluid through the
pipe to overcome friction. Develop a nondimensional relationship between shear stress 𝜏𝑤 and the other parameters
in the problem.
Fig Q3
Q2
7–70 A boundary layer is a thin region (usually along a wall) in which viscous forces are significant and within which
the flow is rotational. Consider a boundary layer growing along a thin flat plate (Fig. P7–70). The flow is steady. The
boundary layer thickness at any downstream distance x is a function of x, free-stream velocity V, and fluid properties
(density) and (viscosity). Use the method of repeating variables to generate a dimensionless relationship for as
a function of the other parameters. Show all your work.
Q3
Convection heat transfer is complicated since it involves fluid motion as well as heat conduction. The fluid motion
enhances heat transfer (the higher the velocity the higher the heat transfer rate). In convection, it is a common practice
to non‐dimensionalize the governing equations and combine the variables which group together into dimensionless
numbers (groups). Assume that the heat transfer data in fully developed forced convection in a tube is a function of
the variables heat transfer coefficient (h), fluid density (), viscosity (), velocity (v), thermal conductivity (K), specific
heat (Cp) and the geometric variable tube diameter (D). Develop a nondimensional relationship between internal heat
transfer coefficient h, and the other parameters in the problem.
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CH 1044 Fluid Dynamics
Self-learning Activity
Short Answer Qs
1. 7–1C List the seven primary dimensions. What is significant about these seven?
2. 7–2C What is the difference between a dimension and a unit? Give three examples of each.
3. 7–20C Explain the law of dimensional homogeneity in simple terms.
4. 7–28C What is the primary reason for nondimensionalizing an equation?
5. 7–35C List the three primary purposes of dimensional analysis.
MCQs
1. 7–121 Which one is not a primary dimension?
(a) Velocity (b) Time (c) Electric current (d) Temperature (e) Mass
2. 7–122 The primary dimensions of kinematic viscosity are
(a) m·L/t2 (b) m/L·t (c) L2/t (d ) L2/m·t (e) L/m·t2
3. 7–123 The thermal conductivity of a substance may be defined as the rate of heat transfer per unit length per
unit temperature difference. The primary dimensions of thermal conductivity are
(a) m2·L/t2·T (b) m2·L2/t·T (c) L2/m·t2·T (d) m·L/t3·T (e) m·L2/t3·T
4. 7–124 The primary dimensions of the gas constant over the universal gas constant R/Ru are
(a) L2/t2·T (b) m·L/N (c) m/t·N·T (d ) m/L3 (e) N/m
5. 7–125 The primary dimensions of the universal gas constant Ru are
(a) m·L/t2·T (b) m2·L/N (c) m·L2/t2·N·T (d ) L2/t2·T (e) N/m·t
6. 7–126 There are four additive terms in an equation, and their units are given below. Which one is not consistent
with this equation?
(a) J (b) W/m (c) kg·m2/s2 (d) Pa·m3 (e) N·m
7. 7–128 The nondimensional heat transfer coefficient is a function of convection coefficient h (W/m2·K), thermal
conductivity k (W/m·K), and characteristic length L. This nondimensional parameter is expressed as
(a) hL/k (b) h/kL (c) L/hk (d) hk/L (e) kL/h
Design and Analysis Qs
1. 7–51 A stirrer is used to mix chemicals in a large tank (Fig. P7–51). The shaft power W supplied to the stirrer
blades is a function of stirrer diameter D, liquid density , liquid viscosity , and the angular velocity of the
spinning blades. Use the method of repeating variables to generate a dimensionless relationship between these
parameters. Show all your work and be sure to identify your groups, modifying them as necessary.
2. 7–60 The speed of sound c in an ideal gas be a function only of pressure P and gas density . Showing all your
work, use dimensional analysis to find the functional relationship between these parameters. Verify that your
results are consistent with the equation for speed of sound in an ideal gas, 𝑐 = √𝑘𝑅𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑇.
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CH 1044 Fluid Dynamics
3. 7–66 Consider laminar flow through a long section of pipe, as in Fig. P7–65. For laminar flow it turns out that wall
roughness is not a relevant parameter unless « is very large. The volume flow rate Q through the pipe is a function
of pipe diameter D, fluid viscosity , and axial pressure gradient dP/dx. If pipe diameter is doubled, all else being
equal, by what factor will volume flow rate increase? Use dimensional analysis.
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