Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines

(AMN13104)
B Tech. Mechanical Engg. (3rd semester)
Chapter-5: Dimensional Analysis & Similitude
Akshoy Ranjan Paul
Associate Professor
Email: arpaul2k@gmail.com

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED MECHANICS

MOTI LAL NEHRU NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ALLAHABAD
1
 The purpose of dimensional analysis
 Want to determine which variables to study.

 Want to determine the parameters that significantly affect the

system.

 Reduce the cost/effort of experimental analysis by studying the

most important groups of variables.

 The ideas can be used for any physical system.

 This will help in the design of scale test models.

 INTRODUCTION :

 PRINCIPLE OF DIMENSIONAL HOMOGENEITY :

 FUNDAMENTAL DIMENSIONS :
 DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS :

 RAYLEIGH’S METHOD :

determined to obtained the groups.so a flow problem can be expressed in the following
functional form:

Here y=dependent variable & x1,x2,x2 etc. are independent variables.

Here values of a,b,c etc. are found out by comparing the dimensions of
Both sides.
 Buckingham's pi-theorem :
 MODEL TESTING AND SIMILITUDE :

 SIMILARITY CONDITION :
 Laws of similarity :

 Geometric similarity :
Example:-

A model and prototype are geometrically similar if and only if all body dimensions
in all 3 coordinates have the same linear scale ratio.
 Kinematics similarity :
Example:-

Here,
(𝑈𝐴 /𝑈𝐵 )p= (ua /ub )m and (𝑉𝐴 /𝑉𝐵 )p= (𝑉𝑎 /𝑉𝑏 )m

Here, p-prototype and m-model

 Dynamics similarity :

 Forces and force ratio :

 Ratio of inertia force to viscous force :
 Ratio of inertia force to gravity force :

 Ratio of inertia force to pressure force :

 Ratio of viscous force to elastic force :
 Ratio of inertia force to surface tension force :
 Laws of similitude :

 Reynolds law of similitude :

 Froude’s law of similitude :
 Euler’s law of similitude :
 Mach’s law of similitude :
 Weber’s law of similitude :
 Distorted models and scale effect :
Drag and Lift
 DRAG
• DRAG- It is a type of opposing force.
• It is generated by the interaction and contact of a
solid body with a fluid (liquid or gas).
• Drag acts in a direction that is opposite to the motion
of the body.
• Drag is the aerodynamic force that opposes an
aircraft's motion through the air. Drag is generated by
every part of the airplane (even the engines)&
vehicles.
Types of Drag

……Ref. 1
Some important mathematical formula related to drag:-

Here, Aspect ratio(AR)=b/c=b^2/s

b=total wing span
c=chord length

For cylinder:-

Reynolds no:-
 Purpose of drag reduction

• Less Fuel consumption means make economical.

• Reduce the noise pollution (skin friction noise).

• Prevent the distortion of body means maintain the shape and size.

• Apply less force to move the body means reduce the effort of human.
 TABLE
DRAG REDUCTION WHAT TYPE OF DIAGRAM APPLICATION
& important points
TECHNIQUE DRAG REDUCED
Form drag

• Change in geometry Aircrafts /car/ships

Wake drag
• Delay the flow (behind the body)
separation on
boundary layer Aircraft/ car/
method of preventing separation:- heavy vehicles
• Rotating the B.L in the direction
of flow.
• B.L blowing and suction.

Wake drag
• Vortex generator (energize the flow)
devices • Aircraft
(top of the wing)
(delay the B.L separation)
Shape of VG:- • Cars(rear top)

(triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal)

DRAG REDUCTION WHAT TYPE DIAGRAM APPLICATION
TECHNIQUE OF DRAG
REDUCED

Wake drag
(suck the dead flow
• Suction and delay the flow
separation) Aircraft wing

• Slat and slot Suppress the Aircraft wing

(leading edge of the wing) B.L separation (provide extra lift)

• Trailing edge Wake drag

Aircraft wing
(provide lift and drag
flaps (delay B.L separation)
as per requirement)
DRAG REDUCTION WHAT TYPE OF DRAG DIAGRAM APPLICATION
TECHNIQUE REDUCED

Wake drag
Aircrafts
• Blower
(delay the B.L separation by
(wing)
the air blowing)

Wake drag
• Boat -tail plates (stabilize the wake)
AND • Reduce the lateral
Mainly heavy
• Round tail oscillation
vehicles
• Wind averaged
drag reduction 6%
due to plates

Heavy
• Gap flow Aerodynamic drag
vehicles
concept (~7%)
(Fuel consumption)
DRAG REDUCTION WHAT TYPE OF DIAGRAM APPLICATION
TECHNIQUE DRAG REDUCED

• Marine vehicles
• Compliant
• swimsuit
Skin friction • (concept from shark,dolphin
coating fish)
(reduce skin friction noise)

• vertical splitter Front or rear of the

Form drag car geometry
(~28% at zero skew angle) • fuel consumption
plates • dynamic stability on road

Viscous drag or
skin friction or
Turbulent drag Airfoil, wings body.
• Riblets (5-8%)
DRAG REDUCTION WHAT TYPE DIAGRAM APPLICATION
TECHNIQUE OF DRAG
REDUCED

• In marine
• Biomimetic smart surface • Concept-self
adjustable of marine
(riblet+elastic coating) Skin friction animals(dolphin)

Skin friction • It is very short duration

For dolphins-
of time(.1sec)
• temp. differential • Concept:-In marine
• Boundary layer between water
and skin surface-
mammals have capacity to
use heat conducted from
heating 9◦c the body surface to
• Reduce viscosity- decrease water viscosity
11%

Various animals
• automotive
travel in highly
• Cycling
organized
competitions
• Drafting formations
• (concept-Big
that’s will
reduce the drag buoy)