MODULE III

TRANSLATION and
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF
FLUIDS

Lesson 1 Translation and Rotation of Liquid Masses

Lesson 2 Dimensional Analysis and Hydraulic Similitude

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MODULE III

TRANSLATION AND DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF FLUIDS

 INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with basic principles of translation and rotation of liquid
masses. The chapter also includes rotation of fluid masses in open and close
vessels, dimensional analysis and hydraulic similitude. It also included in this
chapter the use of hydraulic models.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. Determine the force acting on one side of an object.

2. Develop an equation of velocity with respect to time and distance.
3. Establish weir formula given proportion of flow rate, length and
head.
4. Establish Reynold’s number relation by dimensional analysis.

 DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

There are two lessons in the module. Read each lesson carefully then
answer the exercises/activities to find out how much you have learned from
it. Work on these exercises/seatworks carefully and submit your output to our
google classroom.

In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with me or during the

face-to-face meeting.

Good luck and happy reading!!!

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Lesson 1

 Translation and
Rotation of Liquid
Masses

Introduction

A fluid may be subjected to translation or rotation at constant

accelerations without relative motion between particles. This condition is one
of relative equilibrium, and the fluid is free from shear. There is generally no
motion between the fluid and the containing vessel. Laws of fluid statics still
apply, modified to allow for the effects of acceleration.

Horizontal Motion

For horizontal motion, the surface of the liquid will become an inclined
plane. The slope of the plane will be determined by the equation below

𝑎 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑙, 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 )

tan 𝜃 =
𝑔 (𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 )

Vertical Motion
For vertical motion, the pressure (psf or Pa) at any point in the liquid is
given by

𝑎
𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ (1 ± )
𝑔

where the positive sign is used with a constant upward acceleration and the
negative sign with a constant downward acceleration.

Rotation of Fluid Masses-Open Vessels

The form of the free surface of a liquid in a rotating vessel is that of a

paraboloid of revolution. Any vertical plane through the axis of rotation that
cuts the fluid will produce a parabola. The equation of the parabola is

𝜔2 2
𝑦= 𝑥
2𝑔
where x and y are coordinates, in feet or meters, of any point in the surface
measured from the vertex in the axis of revolution and 𝜔 is the constant
angular velocity in 𝑟𝑎𝑑⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐.

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Rotation of Fluid Masses-Closed Vessels

The pressure in a closed vessel will be increased by rotating the vessel.
The pressure increase between a point in the axis of rotation and a point x
feet away from the axis is

𝜔2 2
𝑝=𝛾 𝑥
2𝑔

And the increase in pressure head (ft or m) is

𝑝 𝜔2 2
=𝑦= 𝑥
𝛾 2𝑔

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. A rectangular tank 20 ft long by 6 ft deep by 7 feet wide contains 3 ft
of water. If the linear acceleration horizontally in the direction of the
tank’s length is 8.05 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 , (a) compute the total force due to the
water acting on each end of the tank and (b) show that the difference
between these forces equals the unbalanced force necessary to
accelerate the liquid mass.

Solution:
a)
𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
tan 𝜃 =
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Substitute the values given from the problem,

8.05 𝑓𝑡 ⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2
tan 𝜃 = units will cancel out
32.2𝑓𝑡 ⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2

tan 𝜃 = 0.25
𝜃 = 14.036°
From the figure shown, depth d at the shallow end is

𝑑 = 3𝑓𝑡 − 𝑦
𝑑 = 3𝑓𝑡 − 10𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛14.036°

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Then
𝑑 = 0.5 𝑓𝑡
And the depth of the deep end is 5.5 𝑓𝑡. Then

𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 𝛾ℎ𝑐𝑔 𝐴

5.5 𝑓𝑡
𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 62.4 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3 ( 2
) (5.5𝑓𝑡)(7 𝑓𝑡)

𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 6,606.6 𝑙𝑏

𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 𝛾ℎ𝑐𝑔 𝐴

0.5 𝑓𝑡
𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 62.4 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3 ( 2 ) (0.5 𝑓𝑡)(7 𝑓𝑡)
𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 54.6 𝑙𝑏
b) 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 × 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

20𝑓𝑡 × 7𝑓𝑡 × 3𝑓𝑡 × 62.4 𝑙𝑏⁄𝑓𝑡 3

𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 = (8.05 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 )
32.2 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2

𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 = 6,552 𝑙𝑏

And

𝐹𝐴𝐵 − 𝐹𝐶𝐷 = 6,606.6 − 54.6 = 6552 𝑙𝑏 (Ans.)

2. If the tank in problem number 1 is filled with water and accelerated in

the direction of its length at the rate of 5 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 , how many gallons of
water are spilled? Refer to figure below

Solution
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = tan 𝜃
5 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = = 0.155
32.2 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2
𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 20 𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 20(0.155)𝑓𝑡

𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 3.1 𝑓𝑡

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Solving for the volume spilled

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 = 7𝑓𝑡(𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)

1
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 = 7𝑓𝑡 ( ) (20𝑓𝑡)(3.1𝑓𝑡)
2
3 7.48 𝑔𝑎𝑙
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 = 217𝑓𝑡 ( 1𝑓𝑡 3 ) = 1,623.16 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 (Ans.)

3. A tank is 1.5 m square and contains 1 m of water. How high must its
sides be if no water is to be spilled when the acceleration is 4 𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2
parallel to a pair of sides?

Solution

4 𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
9.91 𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2

𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 0.408

Solving for the rise or fall in surface

1.5 𝑚
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = ( ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
2

1.5 𝑚
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = ( ) (0.408)
2

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 0.306 𝑚

Therefore the must be atleast 1.306 𝑚 deep (Ans.)

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Activity No. 9

Solve the given problems:

1. A vessel partly filled with water is accelerated horizontally at a constant

rate. The inclination of the water surface is 30°. What is the
acceleration of the vessel?

2. An open tank is 6 ft square, weighs 770 lb, and contains 3 ft of water.

It is acted upon by unbalanced force of 2,330 lb parallel to a pair of
sides. What must be the height of the sides of the tank so that no
water will be spilled? What is the force acting on the side where the
greatest depth occurs?

3. An open tank 30 ft long by 4 ft wide by 4 ft deep is filled with 3.25 ft of

oil, s = 0.822. It is accelerated uniformly from rest to 45 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 . What
is the shortest time in which the tank can be accelerated without
spilling any oil?

4. When an open rectangular tank, 1.52 m wide, 3.05 m, long and 1.83 m
deep, containing 1.22 m of water is accelerated horizontally parallel to
its length at the rate of 4.91 𝑚⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 , how much water is spilled?

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Lesson 2

 Dimensional Analysis
and Hydraulic
Similitude

Introduction

Mathematical theory and experimental data have developed practical

solutions to many hydraulic problems. Important hydraulic structures are now
designed and built only after extensive model studies have been made.
Application of dimensional analysis and hydraulic similitude enables engineers
to organize and simplify experiments and analyze the results therefrom.

Dimensional Analyses

Dimensional analysis is the mathematics of dimensions of quantities

and is another useful tool of modern fluid mechanics. In an equation
expressing a physical relationship between quantities, absolute numerical
dimensional equality must exist. In general, all physical relationships can be
reduced to the fundamental quantities of force F, length L, and time T (or
mass M, length L, and time T). Applications include (1) converting one system
of units to another, (2) developing equations, (3) reducing the number of
variables required in an experimental program, and (4) establishing principles
of model design.

Hydraulic Models
Hydraulic Models, in general, may be either true models or distorted
models. True models have all the significant characteristics of the prototype
reproduced to scale (geometrical similar) and satisfy design restrictions
(kinematic and dynamic similitude). Model-prototype comparisons have clearly
shown that the correspondence of behavior is often well beyond expected
limitations, as has been attested by the successful operation of many
structures designed from model tests.

Geometric Similitude
Geometric similitude exists between model and prototype if the ratios
of all corresponding dimensions in model and prototype are equal. Such ratios
may be written
𝐿𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙
= 𝐿𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 or
𝐿 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑒
𝐿𝑚
= 𝐿𝑟 (1)
𝐿𝑝
And
𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙 𝐿2𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙
= 𝐿2 = 𝐿2𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 𝐿2𝑟 (2)
𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑒

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Kinematic Similitude
Kinematic similitude exists between model and prototype (1) if the
paths of homologous moving particles are geometrically similar and (2) if the
ratios of the velocities of homologous particles are equal. A few useful ratios
follow.

Velocity:
𝑉𝑚 𝐿𝑚 ⁄𝑇𝑚 𝐿𝑚 𝑇𝑚 𝐿𝑟
= = ÷ = (3)
𝑉𝑝 𝐿𝑝 ⁄𝑇𝑝 𝐿𝑝 𝑇𝑝 𝑇𝑟
Acceleration:
𝑎𝑚 2
𝐿𝑚 ⁄𝑇𝑚 𝐿𝑚 𝑇2 𝐿
= = ÷ 𝑇𝑚2 = 𝑇𝑟2 (4)
𝑎𝑝 𝐿𝑝 ⁄𝑇𝑝2 𝐿𝑝 𝑝 𝑟
Discharge:
𝑄𝑚 𝐿2𝑚 ⁄𝑇𝑚 𝐿3𝑚 𝑇𝑚 𝐿3
= = ÷ = 𝑇𝑟 (5)
𝑄𝑝 𝐿3𝑝 ⁄𝑇𝑝 𝐿3𝑝 𝑇𝑝 𝑟

Dynamic Similitude
Dynamic similitude exists between geometrically and kinematically
similar systems if the ratios of all homologous forces in model and prototype
are the same.
The conditions required for complete similitude are developed from
Newton’s second law of motion, ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑥 . The forces acting may be any
one, or a combination of several, of the following; viscous forces, pressure
forces, gravity forces, surface tension forces, and elasticity forces. The
following relation between forces acting on model and prototype develops:

∑ 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠(𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑠 → 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 → 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 → 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 → 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦)

+ + + + 𝑚
∑ 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠(𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑠 → 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 → 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 → 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 → 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦)
+ + + + 𝑝
𝑀𝑚 𝑎𝑚
=
𝑀𝑝 𝑎𝑝
The Inertia Force Ratio is developed into the following form:

𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙 𝑀𝑚 𝑎𝑚 𝜌𝑚 𝐿3𝑚 𝐿𝑟 2
𝐿𝑟 2
𝐹𝑟 = = = × = 𝜌𝑟 𝐿𝑟 ( )
𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑒 𝑀𝑝 𝑎𝑝 𝜌𝑝 𝐿3𝑝 𝑇𝑟2 𝑇𝑟
2 2
𝐹𝑟 = 𝜌𝑟 𝐿𝑟 𝑉𝑟 = 𝜌𝑟 𝐴𝑟 𝑉𝑟2
(6)

This equation expresses the general law of dynamic similarity between model
and prototype and is referred to as the Newtonian equation.

Inertia-Pressure Force Ratio (Euler number) gives the relationship (Using

𝑇 = 𝐿 ⁄𝑉 )
𝑀∙𝑎 𝜌𝐿3 ×(𝑉 2 ⁄𝐿2 ) 𝜌𝐿2 𝑉 2 𝜌𝑉 2
= = = (7)
𝑝∙𝐴 𝑝𝐿2 𝑝𝐿2 𝑝

Inertia-Viscous Force Ratio (Reynolds number) is obtained from

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𝑀∙𝑎 𝑀∙𝑎 𝜌𝐿2 𝑉 2 𝜌𝑉𝐿

= 𝑑𝑉 = 𝑉 = (8)
𝜏∙𝐴 𝜇( )𝐴 𝜇( )𝐿2 𝜇
𝑑𝑦 𝐿

Inertia-Gravity Force Ratio is obtained from

𝑀∙𝑎 𝜌𝐿2 𝑉 2 𝑉2
= = 𝐿∙𝑔 (9)
𝑀∙𝑔 𝜌𝐿3 𝑔

𝑉
The square root of this ratio , , is known as the Froude number.
√𝐿𝑔
Inertia-Elasticity Force Ratio (Cauchy number) is obtained from
𝑀∙𝑎 𝜌𝐿2 𝑉 2 𝜌𝑉 2
= = (10)
𝐸∙𝐴 𝐸𝐿2 𝐸

𝑉
The square root of this ratio , , is known as the Mach number.
√𝐸 ⁄𝜌

Inertia-Surface Tension Ratio (Weber number) is obtained from

𝑀∙𝑎 𝜌𝐿2 𝑉 2 𝜌𝐿𝑉 2

= = (11)
σ∙𝐿 𝜎𝐿 𝜎

Time Ratios
The time ratios established for flow patterns governed essentially by
viscosity, gravity, surface tension, and elasticity are, respectively,

𝐿2𝑟
𝑇𝑟 =
𝑣𝑟
𝐿𝑟
𝑇𝑟 = √
𝑔𝑟

𝜌𝑟
𝑇𝑟 = √𝐿3𝑟 ×
𝜎𝑟
𝐿𝑟
𝑇𝑟 =
√𝐸𝑟 ⁄𝜌𝑟

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1. Determine the dynamic pressure exerted by a flowing incompressible

fluid on an immersed object assuming the pressure is a function of the
density and the velocity
Solution:
𝑝 = 𝑓 (𝜌, 𝑉 ) or 𝑝 = 𝐾𝜌𝑎 𝑉 𝑏
Then, dimensionally,
𝐹1 𝐿−2 𝑇 0 = (𝐹 𝑎 𝑇 2𝑎 𝐿−4𝑎 )(𝐿𝑏 𝑇 −𝑏 )
And

1 = 𝑎, −2 = −4𝑎 + 𝑏, 0 = 2𝑎 − 𝑏 from which 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2.

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Substituting,
𝑝 = 𝐾𝜌𝑉 2

2. Assuming the power delivered to a pump is a function of the specific

weight of the fluid, the flow in cfs, and the head added delivered,
establish an equation by dimensional analysis.
Solution:
𝑃 = 𝑓(𝛾, 𝑄, 𝐻)
or
𝑃 = 𝐾𝛾 𝑎 𝑄𝑏 𝐻𝑐
Then dimensionally,
𝐹1 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 = (𝐹 𝑎 𝐿−3𝑎 )(𝐿3𝑏 𝑇 −𝑏 )(𝐿𝑐 )

And 1 = 𝑎, 1 = −3𝑎 + 3𝑏 + 𝑐, −1 = −𝑏 from which 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 1, 𝑐 = 1.

Substituting,
𝑃 = 𝐾𝛾𝑄𝐻

3. For an ideal liquid, express the flow Q through an orifice in terms of

the density of the liquid, the diameter of the orifice, and the pressure
difference.
Solution:
𝑄 = 𝑓 (𝜌, 𝑝, 𝑑 ) or 𝑄 = 𝐾𝜌𝑎 𝑝𝑏 𝑑 𝑐
Then, dimensionally,
𝐹 0 𝐿3 𝑇 −1 = (𝐹 𝑎 𝑇 2𝑎 𝐿−4𝑎 )(𝐹 𝑏 𝐿−2𝑏 )(𝐿𝑐 )
And
0 = 𝑎 + 𝑏, 3 = −4𝑎 − 2𝑏 + 𝑐, −1 = 2𝑎

1 1
From which 𝑎 = − 2 , 𝑏 = 2 , 𝑐 = 2.
Substituting,
𝑄 = 𝐾𝜌−1⁄2 𝑝1⁄2 𝑑 2 or ideal 𝑄 = 𝐾𝑑 2 √𝑝⁄𝜌

Factor K must be obtained by physical analysis and/or experimentation. For

an orifice in the side of a tank under head ℎ, 𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ. To obtain the familiar
orifice formula, let 𝐾 = √2(𝜋⁄4). Then
𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑄 = √2(𝜋⁄4)𝑑2 √𝛾ℎ⁄𝜌
𝛾
But 𝑔 =
𝜌
1
𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑄 = 𝜋𝑑 2 √2𝑔ℎ
4

Module III
 12

Activity Number 10

Solve the given problems:

1. A body falls freely for distance s, from rest. Develop an equation for
velocity.

2. A body falls freely from rest for time T. Develop an equation for
velocity.

3. Assuming that flow Q over a rectangular weir varies directly with

length L and is a function of head H and acceleration of gravity g,
establish a weir formula.

4. Develop an expression for the frequency of a simple pendulum,

assuming it is a function of the length and mass of the pendulum and
gravitational acceleration.

5. The Reynold’s number (Re) is a function of density, viscosity, and

velocity of a fluid and a characteristics length. Establish the Reynold’s
number relation by dimensional analysis.

Module III
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 SUMMATIVE TEST

1. A vessel partly filled with water is accelerated horizontally at a constant

rate. The inclination of the water surface is 300. What is the
acceleration of the vessel?

2. An open tank is 6 ft square, weighs 770 lb, and contains 3 ft of water.

It is acted upon by an unbalanced force of 2330 lb parallel to a pair of
sides. What must be the height of the sides of the tank so that no
water will be spilled? What is the force acting on the side where the
greatest depth occurs?

3. When an open rectangular tank, 1.52 m wide, 3.05 m long, and 1.83 m
deep, containing 1.22 m of water is accelerated horizontally parallel to
its length at the rate of 4.91 m/s2, how much water is spilled?

4. Establish the expression for the Froude number if it is a function of

velocity V, gravitational acceleration g, L.

5. Establish the expression for the weber number if it is a function of

velocity V, density 𝜌, length L, and surface tension 𝜎.

Module III