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Fluid Dynamics: Froude Number Basics

The Froude number is a dimensionless value that relates inertial and gravitational forces in open channel flow. It is calculated as the ratio of flow velocity to the square root of gravitational acceleration multiplied by hydraulic depth. A Froude number of 1 indicates critical flow, above 1 is fast flow, and below 1 is slow flow. Critical flow is unstable while fast flow generates high energy and slow flow lower energy. Ship resistance depends on factors like speed, size, fluid density, and viscosity. Both the Froude and Reynolds numbers are used to model ship resistance, but it is difficult to match both with a water model, so Froude similitude is used for the wave resistance and hull resistance is analyzed separately.

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109 views2 pages

Fluid Dynamics: Froude Number Basics

The Froude number is a dimensionless value that relates inertial and gravitational forces in open channel flow. It is calculated as the ratio of flow velocity to the square root of gravitational acceleration multiplied by hydraulic depth. A Froude number of 1 indicates critical flow, above 1 is fast flow, and below 1 is slow flow. Critical flow is unstable while fast flow generates high energy and slow flow lower energy. Ship resistance depends on factors like speed, size, fluid density, and viscosity. Both the Froude and Reynolds numbers are used to model ship resistance, but it is difficult to match both with a water model, so Froude similitude is used for the wave resistance and hull resistance is analyzed separately.

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yehan
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Froude number

The Froude number is known as a dimensionless value that uses to understand the behavior
of different flow regimes of open channel flow. The Froude number can be expressed as a
ratio of inertial and gravitational forces. Gravity is the numerator and it helps to move water
downhill. Besides that, inertia is the denominator which reflects its willingness to do so.
Fr =

v
gD

(1)

Where:
V = Water velocity
D = Hydraulic depth
g = Gravity
When;
Fr = 1, critical flow
Fr > 1, fast flow
Fr < 1, slow flow
The inertia gives the speed of a small wave relative to the speed of the water. At critical flow,
the speed of a small wave is equal to flow velocity. Besides that, in slow flow, information is
transmitted upstream and controlled at downstream points which leads to backwater effects.
Further, in fast flow, disturbance are transmitted downstream and controlled at upwards
points. In addition, critical flow is usually unstable and fast flow generates a high energy.
Additionally, slow flow generates a lower energy.

Resistance of ships
Resistance of a ship usually depends on speed of the ship, length of a ship, density of the
fluid, kinematic viscosity of the fluid and acceleration of the fluid. In addition, total
resistance coefficient depends on Reynolds and Froude number. However it is impossible to
satisfy the equality of Froude and Reynolds number, if the model liquid is water.

Reynoldsnumber=V m =

Ls
V
Lm s

Ls
V
Lm s

Froudenumber=V m =

(Same fluid)

(2)

(3)

To overcome this problem, the procedure is to model for the most difficult to predict
analytically. Since the wave resistance is considered as the most difficult problem, the model
is based on Froude number similitude and the hull resistance is justified analytically.
Rm= m v m2 l m2 ( Fr m )
p vp 2 l p 2
R p=R m ( )( ) ( )
p m vm lm
D p=R p +D fp

(4)

(5)

(6)

https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/downloadFile/3779577315265/RP_Lecture6and7.pdf
http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/8_Hydraulic_Reference/Froude_Number_and_Fl
ow_States.htm

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