Chapter Six
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Many engineering problems cannot be solved easily by theoretical methods due
to the complexity of the mathematical models describing them. Such problems
can be treated by dimensional analysis using similar theoretical procedures &
experimental results.
Quantities & Dimensions
All quantities in fluid mechanics can be expressed in terms of the fundamental
dimensions such as mass M, length L and time T. For example, the force F can
be expressed in terms of M, L & T as follows
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 ∗ 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐹 = [𝑀][𝐿][𝑇 −2 ]
Quantity Symbol Dimensions [MLT]
Mass m M
Length l L
Time t T
Force F MLT-2
Density 𝜌 ML-3
Weight Density 𝛾 ML-2T-2
Discharge Q L3 T-1
Viscosity 𝜇 ML-1T-1
Kinematic Viscosity 𝜐 L2 T-1
1
Velocity V LT-1
Acceleration a LT-2
Surface tension 𝜎 MT-2
Modulus of elasticity E ML-1T-2
Pressure P ML-1T-2
Shear stress 𝜏 ML-1T-2
The Buckingham (𝝅) theorem
If a phenomenon is expressed by (n) variables, then these variables can be
arranged in (n - m) non-dimensional groups (called 𝝅 terms).
Where
" m" is the number of fundamental dimensions.
Consider the variables
𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , 𝐴3 … … … … . . , 𝐴𝑛
then these variables can be arranged in a functional relationship as follows:
𝑓 (𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , 𝐴3 … … … … . . , 𝐴𝑛 ) = 0
therefore, the following non-dimensional function is obtained:
𝑓(𝜋1 , 𝜋2 , 𝜋3 … … … … . . , 𝜋𝑛−𝑚 ) = 0
Or
𝜋1 = 𝜙(𝜋2 , 𝜋3 … … … … . . , 𝜋𝑛−𝑚 )
2
Example
The drag resistance FD, of a projectile depends on its diameter d, velocity V,
fluid density 𝜌 , viscosity 𝜇 and bulk modulus E. Find the dimensionless
quantities which can be used to describe this dependence.
Solution
𝑓 (𝐹𝐷 , 𝑑, 𝑉, 𝜌, 𝜇, 𝐸 ) = 0
The number of variables are, n = 6,
The number of basic dimensions are, m=3
The number of 𝝅 terms are 𝜋 =𝑛−𝑚
𝜋 =6−3=3
Select three (n) variables which contain the fundamental dimensions M, L & T.
Let these variables be 𝜌, V and d which are called the repeating variables. The
dimensionless 𝝅 term can be obtained by grouping the repeating variables with
any of the remaining variables.
𝜋1 = 𝜌𝑎 𝑉 𝑏 𝑑 𝑐 𝐹𝐷1
[𝑀𝐿𝑇]0 = [𝑀𝐿−3 ]𝑎 [𝐿𝑇 −1 ]𝑏 [𝐿]𝑐 [𝑀𝐿𝑇 −2 ]1
For
𝑀 : 0=𝑎+1 → 𝑎 = −1
𝐿 : 0 = −3𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 1
0=3+𝑏+𝑐+1
𝑇 : 0 = −𝑏 − 2 → 𝑏 = −2
thus 𝑐 = −2
𝐹𝐷
𝜋1 =
𝜌𝑉 2 𝑑 2
3
Similarly
𝜋2 = 𝜌 𝑎 𝑉 𝑏 𝑑 𝑐 𝜇 1
[𝑀𝐿𝑇]0 = [𝑀𝐿−3 ]𝑎 [𝐿𝑇 −1 ]𝑏 [𝐿]𝑐 [𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −1 ]1
𝑀 : 0=𝑎+1 → 𝑎 = −1
𝐿 : 0 = −3𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 1
0=3+𝑏+𝑐−1
𝑇 : 0 = −𝑏 − 1 → 𝑏 = −1
thus 𝑐 = −1
𝜇
𝜋2 =
𝜌𝑉𝑑
𝜋3 = 𝜌 𝑎 𝑉 𝑏 𝑑 𝑐 𝐸 1
[𝑀𝐿𝑇]0 = [𝑀𝐿−3 ]𝑎 [𝐿𝑇 −1 ]𝑏 [𝐿]𝑐 [𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 ]1
𝑀 : 0=𝑎+1 → 𝑎 = −1
𝐿 : 0 = −3𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 1
0=3+𝑏+𝑐−1
𝑇 : 0 = −𝑏 − 2 → 𝑏 = −2
thus 𝑐=0
𝐸
𝜋3 =
𝜌𝑉 2
The nondimensional groups can be written as follows:
𝜋1= 𝛷 (𝜋2, 𝜋3)
1 𝜌𝑉𝑑
𝜋2∗ = = = 𝑅𝑒 Reynolds number
𝜋2 𝜇
1 𝑉2 𝑉 𝑉
𝜋3∗ = √ = √ 𝐸 = = = 𝑀 Mach number
𝜋3 𝐸 𝐶
𝜌 √𝜌
𝐹𝐷
𝜋1∗ = 1 𝜋 = 𝐶𝐷 Coefficient of drag
2
𝜌𝑉 2 ∗ 4 𝑑2
4
𝐶𝐷 = 𝛷(𝑅𝑒, 𝑀)
Properties of 𝝅 terms
1. The reciprocal of a 𝝅 term is also a dimensionless number.
2. A 𝝅 term raised to power is also a dimensionless number.
3. A 𝝅 term multiplied by a constant is also a dimensionless number.
4. The product of two 𝝅 terms is also a 𝝅 term.