DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS,

SIMILITUDE, AND
MODELING
UEME 2123
MAIN TOPICS
❖ Dimensional Analysis
❖ Buckingham Pi Theorem
❖ Determination of Pi Terms
❖ Comments about Dimensional Analysis
❖ Common Dimensionless Groups in Fluid
Mechanics
❖ Correlation of Experimental Data
❖ Modeling and Similitude
AIM
❖ Using a number of approximations we have calculated
flow fields → control volume & differential analysis
❖ One of the key “compromising” assumption we often
made was inviscid flow – majority of flows are viscous
❖ If we use the full equations calculations must be done
numerically / computationally
❖ Turbulence is very expansive to simulate directly

• Use models which are only “approximations”

 SCALE MODEL TESTING
• One approach is to test experimentally
– Wind tunnels, water channels, wave flumes….
• Often the subject of the test is too big to fit in the
experimental facility → SCALE MODELS

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Japan
Completed 1998
US$4.3 billion
Length 3,947m
Longest Span 2,008m
 Wind Tunnel
Testing at 90 ms-1
WIND TUNNEL TESTING
• May also test in construction configurations
• High loads during construction can be very high
SCALE MODEL TESTING
❖ Want flow over model to replicate features of full scale
flow, what factors are important?
• Geometry of Model – Same as full scale

• Kinematic Similarity – Ratio of velocities on model

should be maintained

• Forces on Model – Should be similar → Normally

looking for ratio

Model

Prototype
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Consider the steady flow of an incompressible Newtonian
fluid through a long, smooth-walled, horizontal circular pipe.
Of interest to an engineer is the pressure drop per unit
length that develops due to friction (viscous effects)

List variables of interest (requires some practice):

• pressure drop: pl
• pipe diameter: D
• fluid density: 
• fluid viscosity:  (= /)
• flow velocity: V

pl = f(D, , , V)
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
pl = f(D, , , V)
Consider the effect of each variable on pl:
• e.g. how pl varies with D, holding , , V constant
• how pl varies with , holding D, , V constant
• etc….
A SMARTER WAY
• Dimensional Analysis simplifies this process enormously
• Collect these variables into two non-dimensional groups
• pl = f(D, , , V)
D pl  VD 
=   
V 2
  

✓ Only one dependent and one

independent variable
✓ Easy to set up experiments to
determine dependency
✓ Easy to present results (one
graph)
 2 DIMENSIONLESS GROUP
Now we only need to do Dp  L ( F / L3 )
= = F 0 L0 T 0
one set of experiments V 2 ( FL− 4 T 2 )( FT −1 ) 2

Vary dimensionless
product VD/ (probably
by varying velocity V)

Also probably use fluid

with fixed  &  with fixed
diameter (D) pipe VD ( FL−4T 2 )( LT −1 )( L)
= = F 0 L0T 0
 −2
( FL T )

Use this plot for a range of

Measure pressure drop & pipes with different diameters
non-dimensionalise it & carrying different fluids
DIMENSIONLESS GROUP
How do we get these dimensionless groups?
• Based on use of basic dimensions:
• Mass [M]
• Length [L]
• Time [T]

• may also choose to use basic dimensions:

• force [F] where F = MLT-2
• length [L]
• time [T]
 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
Dimensional analysis is based on the Buckingham pi theorem:

If an equation involving k variables is dimensionally

homogeneous, it can be reduced to a relationship
among (k-r) independent dimensionless products,
where r is the minimum number of reference
dimensions required to the describe the variables

Almost always r = 3, i.e. [M][L][T] or [F][L][T]

pl = f(D, , , V), k = 5, r = 3  2 dimensionless products
Dimensionless products often called “pi terms”
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 1 Write the expression
Let k be the number of variables.
Example 1: The pressure drop per unit length, Δpl is assumed to be a
function of pipe diameter, D, fluid density, ρ, dynamic
viscosity, µ, and fluid velocity, V. Develop a set of suitable
dimensionless variable.

p  = f (D ,,, V )
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 2 Express each of the variables in terms of basic dimensions.
Find the number of reference dimensions.

Select a set of fundamental (primary) dimensions:

MLT or FLT system.
Example 1 (cont.): We choose FLT.

p = FL−3 D=L  = FL−4T 2 Obtained from Table 1.1

 = FL−2T V = LT −1 (Chapter 1, page 5)

Reference dimension, r = 3 (F L T)
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 3 Determine the required number of pi terms.
Let k be the number of variables in the problem.
Let r be the number of reference dimensions (primary dimensions) required
to describe these variables.
The number of pi terms is k-r
Example 1 (cont.) : Number of pi terms is k – r = 5 – 3 = 2.
 DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 4 Select a number of repeating variables equal to the number of
reference dimensions.

Select a set of r dimensional variables that includes all the primary dimensions
(repeating variables).
These repeating variables will all be combined with each of the remaining
parameters.
No repeating variables should have dimensions that are power of the
dimensions of another repeating variable.
Function variable cannot be the repeating variable.
 DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 4 Select a number of repeating variables equal to the number of
reference dimensions.

Example 1 (cont.) : Repeating variables

p = FL−3 Function variable ≠ Repeating variable

D=L Repeating variable for length dimension
 = FL−4T 2
Repeating variable for force dimension
 = FL T
−2

V = LT −1 Repeating variable for time dimension

D=L  = FL−4T 2 V = LT −1
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 5 Form a pi term by multiplying one of the nonrepeating
variables by the product of the repeating variables, each
raised to an exponent that will make the combination
dimensionless.

Set up dimensional equations, combining the variables selected in Step

4 with each of the other variables (non repeating variables) in turn, to
form dimensionless groups or dimensionless product.
There will be k – r equations.
Example 1 (cont.): Non repeating variables

p = FL−3  = FL−2T

DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS

Only repeating variables are

 1 = p  D V  a b c
raised to the power of unknown
(a, b, c, …)

Non repeating variable multiplied with repeating variables

F 0 L0T 0 = ( FL−3 )( L) a ( LT −1 )b ( FL−4T 2 ) c

F : 0 = 1+ c c = −1 p  D
L : 0 = −3 + a + b − 4c a =1
1 =
V 2
T : 0 = −b + 2c b = −2
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 6 Repeat Step 5 for each of the remaining non-repeating variables.

Only repeating variables are

 2 = D V  a b c
raised to the power of unknown
(a, b, c, …)

Non repeating variable multiplied with repeating variables

F 0 L0T 0 = ( FL−2T )( L) a ( LT −1 )b ( FL−4T 2 ) c

F :1 + c = 0 c = −1

L : −2 + a + b − 4c = 0 a = −1 2 =
T : 1 − b + 2c = 0 b = −1
DV
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 7 Check all the resulting pi terms to make sure they are
dimensionless.

Check to see that each group obtained is dimensionless in both system.

Example 1 (cont.) :

p D
1 = = F 0 0 0
L T = M 0 0 0
LT
V 2


2 = = F 0 L0T 0 = M 0 L0T 0
DV
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖Step 8 Express the final form as a relationship among the pi terms, and
think about what is means.

Express the result of the dimensional analysis.

Example 1 (cont.) :

1 =  ( 2 ,  3 , , , ,  k−r )
p D   
=    The final answer
V 2
 DV 
DETERMINATION OF PI TERMS
❖The pi terms can be rearranged. For example, Π2, could be expressed as

 VD
2 = 2 =
DV 

p  D   VD 
=  
V 2   

Reynolds number

pl D  DV 
=    =  (Reynolds Number )
V 2
  
LET’S TRY THIS
The force (F) on a particular body immersed in a stream of fluid
depends on the body length (L), stream velocity (V), fluid density (ρ),
and fluid’s dynamic viscosity (μ), determine a set of suitable pi terms
based on MLT system.
SELECTION OF VARIABLES
❖ One of the most important and difficult steps.
❖ There is no simple procedure whereby the variable can be
easily identified.
❖ Must rely on a good understanding of the phenomenon
involved and the governing physical laws.
❖ If extraneous variables are included, then too many pi terms
appear in the final solution.
❖ It will be difficult, time consuming and expensive to
eliminate these experimentally.
❖ If important variables are omitted, an incorrect result will be
obtained. This may prove to be costly and difficult to ascertain.
SELECTION OF VARIABLES

❖Variables can be classified into three general group:

 Geometry: Lengths and angles.

 Material Properties: Relates the external effects and the

responses. Such as density, viscosity,
specific gravity, …

 External Effects: Produces or tends to produce a change in

the system. Such as force, pressure,
velocity, …
SELECTION OF VARIABLES
❖Points should be considered in the selection of variables:
 Clearly define the problem. What’s the main variable of
interest?
 Consider the basic laws that govern the phenomenon.
 Start the variable selection process by grouping the variables
into three broad classes.
 Consider other variables that may not fall into one the three
categories. For example, time and time dependent variables.
 Be sure to include all quantities that may be held constant
(e.g., g).
 Make sure that all variables are independent. Look for
relationships among subsets of the variables.
DETERMINATION OF REFERENCE
DIMENSION
❖ When to determine the number of pi terms, it is important to
know how many reference dimensions are required to describe
the variables.
❖ In fluid mechanics, the required number of reference
dimensions is three, but in some problems only one or two are
required.
❖ In some problems, we occasionally find the number of
reference dimensions needed to describe all variables is smaller
than the number of basic dimensions.
Example 2: An open cylindrical tank having a diameter D is
supported around its bottom circumference and is
filled to a depth h with a liquid having a specific
weight . The vertical deflection,  , of the center of
the bottom is a function of D, h, d, , and E, where d
is the thickness of the bottom and E is the modulus of
elasticity of the bottom material. Perform a dimensional
analysis of this problem.
❖ Step 1:  = f (D, f , d ,  , E )
❖ Step 2: In FLT dimension
 =L D=L h=L
d=L  = FL−3 E = FL− 2

In MLT dimension
 =L D=L h=L
d=L  = ML− 2T − 2 E = ML−1T − 2

❖ Step 3: Number of Pi terms

In FLT system, k – r = 6 – 2 = 4
In MLT system, k – r = 6 – 3 = 3
❖ Step 4: Repeating variables
 =L Function variable ≠ Repeating variable

D=L
h=L Repeating variable for length dimension

d=L
 = FL−3
−2 Repeating variable for force dimension
E = FL

Taking D and γ as repeating variables.

* Any other variables form those dimension can be

taken as repeating variables too.
❖ Step 5: Expressing the Pi terms

1 = D a1  b1  2 = hD a2  b2  3 = dD a3  b3  4 = ED a4  b4

❖ Step 6: Solving for each Pi terms

 h d E
1 = 2 = 3 = 4 =
D D D D

❖ Step 7: The answer

 h d E 
=  , , 
D  D D D 
❖ In Example 2, MLT system can be utilized where the number of
Pi terms = 3 was calculated.

❖ A closer look at the dimensions of variables listed reveal that

only two reference dimensions, L and MT-2 are required.

❖ How do one know that MT-2 (for this example) has to be taken
as a single variable?

It takes experience and time from practicing questions!!

LET’S TRY THIS
Given that the change of height in a capillary tube, h, is a function of
tube diameter, D, specific weight of the liquid, γ and the surface
tension, σ. Perform dimensional analysis on the problem.
NORMALLY CHOOSE , V AND D
AS THE REPEATING
DIMENSIONS
❖ Why? Because it’s the most basic variable
❖ These 3 variables contain all basic dimensions
Variables MLT system Dimension General Group
Density, ρ M L-3 M Material Property
Velocity, V L T-1 T External Effects
Diameter, D L L Geometry

Variables FLT system Dimension General Group

Density, ρ F L-4 T2 F Material Property
Velocity, V L T-1 T External Effects
Diameter, D L L Geometry
UNIQUENESS OF PI TERMS
❖ The Pi terms obtained depend on the somewhat
arbitrary selection of repeating variables. For
example, in the problem of studying the pressure
drop in a pipe.
p  = f (D ,,, V )
Selecting D,V, and  as p  D   VD 
repeating variables: =  1  
V 2   
Selecting D,V, and  p  D 2   VD 
as repeating variables: =  2  
V   
UNIQUENESS OF PI TERMS
Both are correct, and both
p  D   VD  would lead to the same final
=  1  
V    equation for the pressure drop.
2

There is not a unique set of pi

p  D 2
  VD 
=  2   terms which arises from a
V    dimensional analysis.

The functions Φ1 and Φ2 are will

be different because the
dependent pi terms are different
for the two relationships.
UNIQUENESS OF PI TERMS
Selecting D,V, and  as repeating variables:
p  D   VD 
=  1  
V 2   

 p  D  VD  p  D 2
 =
V 2  V

p  D2
  VD 
=  2  
V   
DIMENSIONLESS GROUP WITH 
❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with  and our 3 basic
dimension and we will get:

DV inertia forces

Reynolds Number = =
 viscous forces

Osborne Reynolds
(23 August 1842–21 February 1912)
▪ Named after a famous fluid dynamics
engineer/scientist
▪ Important when viscous forces are significant.
▪ If Re number is small (Re<<1), viscous forces are
dominant, may ignore the inertial effects. The density
of fluid will not be an important variables.
REYNOLDS NUMBER

❖ Flows with very small Reynolds numbers are commonly

referred to as “creeping flows”.

❖ Flows in which the inertia forces are “small” compared with

the viscos forces are characteristically laminar flows.

❖ For large Reynolds number flow, the viscous effects are

small relative to inertial effects and for these cases it may be
possible to neglect the effect of viscosity and consider the
problem as one involving a “non-viscous” fluid.

❖ Flows with “large” Reynolds number generally are turbulent.

❖ Example of flow controlled by Reynolds number, Re,:
• Flow past a cylinder
UL inertia force
Re = =
 viscous force
 DIMENSIONLESS GROUP
WITH FREQUENCY, F
❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with f and our 3 basic
dimension and we will get,


Inertia (local ) force
Strouhal Number = =
V Inertia (convective) force

❖ Used when the flow is unsteady with a characteristic

fluctuation presents.

Vincenc Strouhal (Čeněk Strouhal)

(April 10, 1850 - January 26, 1922),
Physicist specializing in experimental physics
STROUHAL NUMBER
❖ This parameter represents a measure
of the ratio of inertial force due to the
unsteadiness of the flow (local
acceleration) to the inertial forces due
to change in velocity from point to
point in the flow field (convective
acceleration).

❖ This type of unsteady flow may

develop when a fluid flows past a
solid body (such as a wire or cable)
placed in the moving stream.
For example, in a certain Reynolds number range, a periodic flow will develop
downstream from a cylinder placed in a moving stream due to a regular
patterns of vortices that are shed from the body.
❖ Consider flow past a circular cylinder
wD w flow inertia
St = = =
U V unstable inertia

• Wake is unsteady except when Re is very low

• Red & Blue contours are vorticity – show where the
flow is rotating
• These flows have a characteristic frequency
DIMENSIONLESS GROUP WITH G

❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with g and our 3

basic dimension and we will get,

V inertia forces
Froude Number = =
g gravitational forces

❖ When gravitational forces dominate

• Waves on the surface
• Boats
• Buoyancy
• Natural Convection
William Froude, Civil Engineer, Fluid Hydrodynamicist and Naval Architect
November 28, 1810, Dartington, Devon, England - May 4, 1879,
 FROUDE NUMBER
V V V L 2 2 2
Fr =  Fr =
2
=
gL gL gL 3

❖ Froude number is the ratio of the forces due to the acceleration

of a fluid particles (inertial force) to the force due to gravity
(gravity forces).

❖ Froude number is significant for flows with free surface effects.

❖ Froude number less than unity indicate subcritical flow and

values greater than unity indicate supercritical flow.
DIMENSIONLESS GROUP WITH C
❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with speed of
sound, c and our 3 basic dimension and we will get:

V inertia forces
Mach Number = =
c compressing forces

❖ When compressible effects are important

• Acoustic generation/propagation
• High speed/compressible flows

Ernst Mach (February 18, 1838 – February 19, 1916),

physicist and philosopher
DIMENSIONLESS GROUP WITH EV
❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with bulk modulus,
Ev and our 3 basic dimension and we will get:

V 2 inertia forces
Cauchy Number = =
Ev compressing forces

V 2 V V  V 2
Ca = Ma = = =V Ma =
2
= Ca
E c E E E

DIMENSIONLESS GROUP WITH
SURFACE TENSION, 
❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with surface tension,
 and our 3 basic dimension and we will get,

V 2  inertia forces
Weber Number = =
 surface tension forces

❖ When surface tension is important

• Small and light objects near the free surface
• Very thin capillaries.
WEBER NUMBER

❖ Weber number is the ratio of inertia forces to surface tension

forces.

❖ Common examples of problems in which Weber number may

be important include the flow of thin film of liquid, or the
formation of droplets or bubbles.

❖ The flow of water in a river is not affected significantly by

surface tension, since inertial and gravitational effects are
dominant (We>>1).
DIMENSIONLESS GROUP WITH
PRESSURE DROP, ΔP
❖ Try forming a dimensionless group with surface tension,
ΔP and our 3 basic dimension and we will get,

p p pressure forces
Eu = = =
V 2
V 2
inertia forces

❖ Euler’s number is the ratio of pressure force to inertia forces.

❖ It is often called the pressure coefficient, Cp.
CAVITATION NUMBER
p r − pv p
Cp = =
1 1
V 2
V 2
2 2

❖ For problems in which cavitation is of concern, the

dimensionless group ( p r − p v ) / 12  V 2 is commonly used, where
pv is the vapor pressure and pr is some reference pressure.
❖ The cavitation number is used in the study of cavitation
phenomena.
❖ The smaller the cavitation number, the more likely cavitation is
to occur.
COMMON DIMENSIONLESS GROUPS
ENDLESS NUMBER OF
DIMENSIONLESS GROUPS
❖ We have only discussed a limited selection of common
dimensionless groups.
❖ There are endless quantities that can be measured and
therefore endless dimensionless group.
❖ Simple problems may be governed by 1 or 2
dimensionless groups.
❖ Complicated problem, may be a few more or many more.
Example 3: Given that the pressure drop in a pipe is a
function of the pipe diameter, D, length, L,
roughness, , fluid velocity, V, density,  and
viscosity, . Perform dimensional analysis on
the given condition.
❖ Step 1: P = f (V , D, L,  ,  ,  )
❖ Step 2: In FLT dimension

V = L T −1 D=L L=L  =L
 = FL− 4T 2  = FL− 2T P = FL− 2

In MLT dimension

V = L T −1 D=L L=L  =L
 = ML−3  = ML−1T −1 P = ML−1T − 2

❖ Step 3: Number of Pi terms

In FLT system, k – r = 7 – 3 = 4
In MLT system, k – r = 7 – 3 = 4
❖ Step 4: Recalling the famous groups:

VD P
Re = Cp = Each expression is a
 1
V 2 Pi term
2
This leaves us with 2 more pi terms to solve for.
Since ρ, V, and D were selected as the common
repeating variable and ΔP and μ was used in the above
Pi terms, we are left with L and ε.
L 
3 = 4 =
D D
❖ Step 5: The answer
P VD L 
= ( , , )
1
V 2  D D
2
LET’S TRY THIS
The capillary rise, h, of a liquid in a tube with
a diameter, d, varies with gravity, g, fluid
density, ρ, surface tension, σ, and the
contact angle, θ.
(a) Express in dimensionless form taking
the variables d, g and ρ as the
repeating variables.
(b) If h = 3 cm, what will be the value of h
in a similar experiment where the
diameter and surface tension are
each halved, and the density is
doubled? The contact angle is
unchanged
CORRELATION OF
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
❖ Dimensional analysis only provides the dimensionless
groups describing the phenomenon, and not the specific
relationship between the groups.

❖ To determine this relationship, suitable experimental data

must be obtained.

❖ The degree of difficulty depends on the number of pi

terms.
PROBLEMS WITH ONE PI TERM
❖ The functional relationship for one Pi term.

1 = C where C is a constant. The value of the constant must

still be determined by experiment.

Example 4: Assume that the drag, D, acting on a spherical

particle that falls very slowly through a viscous fluid
is a function of the particle diameter, d, the particle
velocity, V, and the fluid viscosity, μ. Determine,
with the aid the dimensional analysis, how the drag
depends on the particle velocity.
❖ Step 1: D = f (d ,V ,  )
❖ Step 2: In FLT dimension
D=F d=L V = LT −1  = FL−2T

In MLT dimension
D = MLT −2 d=L V = LT −1  = ML−1T −1

❖ Step 3: Number of Pi terms

In FLT system, k – r = 4 – 3 = 1
In MLT system, k – r = 4 – 3 = 1

❖ Step 4: Repeating variables

d V 
❖ Step 5: Expressing the Pi terms

1 = Dd a V bμ c

❖ Step 6: Solving for the Pi terms

D
1 =
dV μ

❖ Step 7: The answer

D
1 = =C
dVμ
D = CdV μ
Taking CVµ as a constant, drag force, D is directly
proportional to the particle velocity.
MODELING AND SIMILITUDE
❖ To develop the procedures for designing models so that
the model and prototype will behave in a similar fashion.

❖ In engineering we make extensive use of scale model

EXPERIMENTAL MODELLING
❖ Model:
• Representation of a physical system that may be used to
predict the behaviour of the system in some desired
respect

❖ Prototype:
• Physical system for which the predictions are to be
made
• Prototype also refers to early full scale models in a
design process
SCALE MODELS
❖ Sometimes scale models are larger than the full
scale prototype
• Biological flows were we model the flow but not
the biology

Easier to “build”
bigger red blood cells
(currently not possible
to “build” the biology)
SIMILARITY OF MODEL AND
PROTOTYPE
❖ What conditions must be met to ensure the similarity of
model and prototype?

 Geometric Similarity
 Model and prototype have same shape.
 Linear dimensions on model and prototype correspond within
constant scale factor.
 Kinematic Similarity
 Velocities of model and prototype corresponds within a
constant scale factor.
 Dynamic Similarity
 Forces on model and prototype differ only by a constant scale
factor.
EXPERIMENTAL MODELLING
❖ Aim: To predict the behaviour of a (prototype) system
using results from experiments on a model system

❖ Similarity: The model must faithfully replicate the

important features of the prototype

❖ If Similarity Exits:
• If a problem has a set of pi terms:
• 1 = (2, 3, ….,n)
• Then a similar relationship must hold for the model
• 1m = (2m, 3m, ….,nm)
EXPERIMENTAL MODELLING
❖ We want to model a property in the 1 term
• If the model is designed and operated such that:
– 1 = 1m, 2 = 2m, 3 = 3m ...... n = nm

Similarity requirements

❖ Then we can calculate our prototype property in 1 using

1m obtained from experiments
Example 5: Structural component of a bridge is shown in
figure below. When wind (air) blows past the
bridge as shown flow structures (vortices) shed
periodically from the structure. This shedding
sets up a periodic forcing on the structure
which may be damaging. For the full scale case
D = 0.1 m, H = 0.3 m and a representative wind
velocity is 50 km/h. The shedding frequency is
to be determined using a small scale water
channel model. In the water channel model:
Dm = 20 mm. Determine Hm & the velocity at
which the water channel should be run.
Assuming the shedding frequency f depends on the lengths D
& H, the velocity, V, the fluid density  and viscosity .
Perform dimensional analysis using MLT system.

❖ Step 1: f = f (D, H , V ,  ,  )

❖ Step 2: In MLT dimension

f = T −1 D=L H =L V = LT −1
 = ML−3  = ML−1T −1

❖ Step 3: Number of Pi terms

k–r=6–3=3
❖ Step 4: Repeating variables
(Selecting the common repeating variable)
D=L V = LT −1
 = ML −3

❖ Step 5: Expressing the Pi terms

Π1 = fD a1 V b1 ρ c1 Π 2 = HD a1 V b1 ρ c1 Π 3 = μD a1 V b1 ρ c1

❖ Step 6: Solving for the Pi terms

fD VD D
1 = 2 = 3 =
V  H

❖ Step 7: The answer

fD  D VD 
=  , 
V H  
❖ Step 8: For similarity:

Dm D
=  m Vm D m VD
=
Hm H m 
 m VD
Dm H Vm =
Hm = m D m 
D

0.02 0.3 Vm = 4.78 m/s

Hm =
0.1
Hm = 0.060m

From Table 1.6:

For prototype in air:  = 1.79 x 10-5 N·s m-2,  = 1.23 kg m-3
For model in water:  = 1.0 x 10-3 N·s m-2,  = 998 kg m-3
From the experiment an average shedding frequency of
50 Hz was obtained. What is the frequency in the real
bridge?

fD f m D m
=
V Vm
V f m Dm
f =
D Vm
f = 29 Hz

If bridge structure has a structural resonance frequency

near 29 Hz… Not good
TECOMA NARROWS BRIDGE
LET’S TRY THIS
The drag on an airplane cruising at 240 m/s in standard
air is to be determined from test on a 10:1 scale model
placed in a pressurized wind tunnel using the drag
coefficient expression where the drag force on the model
was measured as 10 N.

D
CD =
1
V 2l 2
2
SUMMARY
❖ Use the Buckingham pi theorem to determine the
number of independent dimensionless variables
needed for a given flow problem.
❖ Form a set of dimensionless variables using the
method of repeating variables.
❖ Form a set of dimensionless variables by inspection.
❖ Use dimensionless variables as an aid in interpreting and
correlating experimental data.
❖ Use dimensional analysis to establish a set of
similarity requirements for a model to be used to
predict the behavior of another similar system (the
prototype).