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ESO204A, Fluid Mechanics and rate Processes
Dimensional Analysis and
Similitude
Simple and powerful qualitative technique applicable to
many fields of science and engineering
Chapter 5 of F M White
Chapter 7 of Fox McDonald
Dimensional Analysis
If certain physical phenomenon is governed by
where some/all of the
f x1 , x2 ,....xn 0
variables x are dimensional
Then the above phenomena can be represented as
1 , 2 ,.... m 0 where all the variables
mn are non-dimensional
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 1
9/21/2016
Dimensional Analysis: Buckingham Pi Theorem
f x1 , x2 ,....xn 0 1 , 2 ,.... m 0
where some/all x where all are
are dimensional non-dimensional
where m n, m n k
Minimum number of fundamental dimensions
involved: k
Example: f V , g , h 0
n3 k 2 m n k 1
Pi Theorem: Repeating and non‐repeating variables
Selection of repeating
Construction of Pi‐terms variables:
1 xnr1 xr1
a11
xr 2 xr 3
a12 a13
... xrk 1k
a o They must be
dimensionally
2 xnr 2 xr1 xr 2 xr 3 ... xrk
a21 a22 a23 a2 k
independent
..... o Together, they
..... must include all
fundamental
m xnrm xr1 xr 2 xr 3 ... xrk
am1 am 2 am 3 amk
dimensions
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 2
9/21/2016
Experiment shows, for
viscous flow f V , g , h, 0
M L T
V 0 1 ‐1
g 0 1 ‐2 n4 k 2 m2
h 0 1 0 We have to select two
ν 0 2 ‐1 (02) repeating variables
Let’s take the repeating variables: g , h
Non‐repeating variables: V ,
V 1 ‐1
Repeating variables: g , h
g 1 ‐2
Non‐repeating variables: V ,
h 1 0
1 xnr1 xr1 xr 2 xr 3 ... xrk 1k
a11 a12 a13 a
ν 2 ‐1
V
a b 1 2 1
gh
2 a b 0 1 2a a 1 2, b 3 2 2
gh3
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 3
9/21/2016
V
f V , g , h, 0 f1 , 0
gh gh3
V V Fr
Fr Froude number
gh gh3 gh Vh Re
We may also write f 2 Fr, Fr Re 0 Fr Fr Re
Frictionless flow: Fr constant
Viscous flow: Fr Fr Re Experiments are
necessary to find the
nature of function
Advantages of dimensional analysis
f V , g , h, 0 Fr Fr Re
V Fr
Fr
gh Re gh3
o Less number of experiments are necessary,
as opposed to the dimensional system
o Experiments become inexpensive
o Data reduction becomes easier, single plot is
sufficient to show the results
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 4
9/21/2016
Dimensional analysis shows
Fr Fr Re V f g , h,
We would like to do a laboratory
experiment now
We can vary h and
measure V for few 2
cases experiments
V Fr
Finally we do a curve‐ Fr Fr
fitting gh Re gh3
*Nature of curve is arbitrary
in this case, actual curve may fitted curve
look slightly different
Fr Re
Fr Fr Re
Conclusions
o One Figure is enough, as V f g , h,
opposed to many Figs of
dimensional system
o Tank size is
irrelevant as long
as our assumptions 2
experiments
aren’t violated
The plot, developed Fr Fr
V Fr
from experiments in a gh Re gh3
smaller (model) tank
may be used for similar fitted curve
bigger (prototype) tank
Fr Re
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 5
9/21/2016
Similitude: Basic idea behind model testing
For the present case study Fr
gh3
Since the relation holds for similar model and
prototype tanks
if
gh3 gh3
model prototype
Model studies (similitude)
Certain fluid mechanical phenomenon is governed by
f 1 , 2 ,.... n 0 where i are non-dimensional
When the model is similar to the prototype
i model i prototype , i 1, 2,...n
Complete similarity requires
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 6
9/21/2016
Geometric similarity: length‐scale matching
A model and prototype are geometrically similar if and
only if all body dimension in all three coordinates have
the same linear scale ratio
All angels, flow direction, orientation with the
surroundings must be preserved
Kinematic similarity (velocity‐scale matching)
A model and prototype are kinemetically similar if
homologous particles lie at homologous points at
homologous time
Kinematic similarity requires geometric similarity
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 7
9/21/2016
Dynamic similarity (force‐scale matching)
A model and prototype are dynamically similar if ratio
of any two forces are same for model and prototype
Dynamic similarity requires geometric, kinematic
similarities
Check before model testing
Geometric similarity + matching of Pi‐terms
o Geometric similarity depends on proper
design, manufacturing, material choice
o Proper choice of variables to include
necessary fluid dynamical effects
o In reality, it is not always possible to attain
complete similarity, and forced to work
with partial similarity. May happens for
more than three dominant forces
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 8
9/21/2016
When fluid flows over an object, the
object experiences fluid resistance known
as ‘drag force’
For incompressible flow with ‘smooth’
objects the drag force is given by
F f L,u, ,
Conduct dimensional analysis to identify the
dimensionless numbers associated with the
above phenomenon
A running car experiences fluid resistance
known as ‘drag force’ F f L,u, ,
We are interested to M L T
conduct a model study u 0 1 ‐1
in a wind tunnel to
know the drag on the
L 0 1 0
prototype ρ 1 ‐3 0
n5 k 3 m2 F 1 1 ‐2
μ 1 ‐1 ‐1
Repeating: L,u,
1 F L u
a b c
2 L u
a b c
ESO204A/IITK/mkdas@iitk.ac.in 9