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14 February 2024
Books:
• Solving Problems in Fluid Mechanics, Volume 2, 3rd ed., J.F Douglas & R.D Matthews
• Chapter 7, Cengel
Dimensional Analysis
▪ Part 4: Similitudes
Part 2: Equate Indices of fundamental
quantities
Assuming that the thrust of a screw propeller is dependent upon the diameter d,
speed of advance v, fluid density r, revolutions per second n and coefficient of
viscosity m.
2 −2 𝜇 𝑑𝑛
𝐹 = 𝜌𝑑 𝑣 ∅ ,
𝜌𝑑𝑣 𝑣
Part 2: Equate Indices of fundamental
quantities
𝐹 = σ 𝐴𝑑 𝑚 𝑣 𝑝 𝜌𝑞 𝑛𝑟 𝜇 𝑠 (e.q 1)
Substituting the dimensions for the variables, equations (e.q 1) will be true if,
Equating powers of
M: 1=𝑞+𝑠
L: 1 = 𝑚 + 𝑝 + 3𝑞 − 𝑠
T: −2 = −𝑝 − 𝑟 − 𝑠
The equation given in the problem indicates that it is desirable to solve for m, p and q in terms
of r and s.
Why? p and/or q appears in all three equations.
𝑞 =1−𝑠
𝑝 = 2−𝑟−𝑠
So:
𝑚 = 1 − 𝑝 + 3𝑞 + 𝑠 = 2 + 𝑟 − 𝑠
Regrouping by powers:
𝑠 𝑟
𝜇 𝑑𝑛
𝐹 = 𝐴𝜌𝑑2 𝑣 2
𝜌𝑑𝑣 𝑣
Which can be written:
𝜇 𝑑𝑛
𝐹 = 𝐴𝜌𝑑 2 𝑣 2 ∅ ,
𝜌𝑑𝑣 𝑣