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BITS Pilani Dimensional analysis and similarity:

Pilani Campus

Real flow situations are approximated with a mathematical model

1. Analytical approach : Chapter 4 Assumptions:

 Steady
 Navier-Stokes equation  Incompressible
 Euler’s equation  Fully developed
 Laminar flow
 Bernoulli's equation  Newtonian fluid

2. Experimental investigations
Dimensional analysis and similarity  Experiments to check/refine the analytical results

Chapter 5  Many situations where fluid mechanics entirely depends

upon experimental investigations

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Dimensional analysis and similarity: Dimensional analysis:

2. Experimental investigations/results
Power input to a fan OR Power output of a hydraulic turbine
 Guess ?
 How many experiments do we have to conduct?
 Is it possible to get maximum information from the fewest
experiments ? (Dimensional analysis)
 P  f (D, Q, ρ, μ, ω, g, Head)
 Conducting experiments on actual structure or scaled
replica?
 Measurements made on one system (in laboratory) can be
used to describe the behavior of other (actual) system?
(Similarity)
Pressure drop per unit length in steady flow
through a long, smooth walled horizontal
circular pipe
p
  f ( D, ρ, μ,  )
L
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Dimensional analysis: Buckingham Pi theorem Similarity:

Steady flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through a long, smooth walled Measurement made on one system (in laboratory) can be used to
horizontal circular pipe. Pressure drop per unit length ? describe the behavior of other (actual) system?

p  1   ( 2 ,  3 .....,  nr )
  f ( D, ρ, μ,  )
L Buckingham Pi Theorem (1914): If a physical
phenomenon is described by n number of
p independent variables then according to Buckingham Complete similarity between laboratory

 L    ρ D  Pi theorem, the phenomenon can be described in model (scaled-up/down) and actual structure
 ρ 2   μ  terms of (n-r) independent dimensionless groups or (prototype):
    π- terms. 1. Geometric similarity
 D 
  r = number of primary dimensions
2. Kinematic similarity
3. Dynamic similarity
 Q1  f (Q2 , Q3 ....., Qn )  1   ( 2 ,  3 .....,  nr )

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Completely similar: Geometrically similar: Similarity of shape

1. Geometric similarity : ratio of corresponding dimensions should
 1   ( 2 ,  3 .....,  nr ) be same in both the systems
2. All body dimensions in three coordinates have the same length
scale ratio
Laboratory model
(Scaled replica)  Actual structure
(Prototype) Points that have
the same relative
location
 1 model  1 prototype

  2 model   2 prototype

Lmodel w
Length scale ratio  Lr   model
Lprototype wprototype
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Kinematically similar: Similarity of motion Kinematically similar: Similarity of motion

 the velocity at any point in the model flow must be proportional  Kinematic similarity requires that the model and prototype have
(by a constant scale factor) to the velocity at the corresponding same length scale ratio and same time scale ratio.
point in the prototype flow.

1
Velocity scale ratio

Vmodel V V 2
 Vr   1  2
Vprototype V1 V2

1′ V1m V2m
 
2′ V1p V2p

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Dynamically similar: Similarity of forces Dynamically similar: Similarity of forces

 ma   F  ma  Fgravity  Fpressure  Fviscous  Felastic  Fsurface

 Fgravity  Fpressure  Fviscous  Felastic  Fsurface V 

 ma  ρL3    ρL2V 2
 Fgravity Fpressure Fviscous  t 
   
Finertia Finertia Finertia   Fgravity  mg  ρL3 g
1 
Fgravity Fpressure Fviscous Felastic Fsurface
1       F 
Finertia Finertia Finertia Finertia Finertia F  Fpressure  pA  pL2
 elastic  surface 
 Finertia Finertia 
dV 2
 Fviscous  A  μ L  μVL
dy
 Felastic   A  Ebulk eV L2
 Fsurface  L
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Dynamically similar: Similarity of forces Dynamically similar: Similarity of forces

 ma   F
Fg ρL3 g gL V2 V
    or  Froude number
Fi ρL2V 2 V 2 gL gL
 Fgravity  Fpressure  Fviscous  Felastic  Fsurface
Used where gravity is equally important
Reynolds number 1. Flow in open channels, Rivers, Dams-Spillways or Flow
with free liquid surface
Fgravity Fpressure Fviscous Felastic Fsurface 2. Ship models to calculate resistance due to surface waves
1     
Finertia Finertia Finertia Finertia Finertia

Euler number Weber number

Froude number
Mach number

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Froude number Froude number

Fr = 0.37
1. When ocean-going sailing vessels V
  Froude number
were first replaced by steam- gL
powered ships in the latter half
of the nineteenth century, little
was understood about the
amount of power needed to drive Fr = 0.19
these steam vessels.
2. However, by 1872, William
Froude had developed the
method of using models to
predict the power requirements Fr = 0.55
of ocean vessels that is still in
use today.
Effect of surface waves on
bridge pillars
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Froude number Open hydraulic structures

Examples V

V
 Froude number   Froude number
– Spillways gL V-notch :
gL for flow measurement
– Channel
– Weirs/notches

Important Forces
– Inertial forces
– Gravity: from changes in water surface elevation
A 1 : 46.6 scale model of an US – Viscous forces (often small relative to gravity forces)
Navy fleet destroyer being tested in
the 100-m long towing tank at the
University of Iowa. The model is Minimum similitude requirements
3.048 m long. – Froude number

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Euler number: Reynolds number:

Fp pL2 p Fv μVL μ ρVL VL
    Euler number    Reynolds number  Re  
Fi ρL2V 2 ρV 2 Fi ρL2V 2 ρVL μ 
1. Flow in closed channels/pipes 2300  Re crit  4000
2. External flow around aircrafts-submarines to calculate lift/drag
1. Laminar/turbulent flow inside a pipe (Internal flow)
3. Cavitation problem (pumps, turbines, diffuser) 2. External flow
Fdrag
 Cd  Non-circular sections :
ρL2V 2 Hydraulic diameter :

  4A
 p   Lh  Dh 
 Ca    P
 1 ρV 2 
 
2  P = wetted perimeter
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Reynolds number:
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Pilani Campus

Human swimmer (L = 1.8 m) paddling

in a swimming pool (V=1.5 m/sec)
has a Reynolds number

VL VL
Re    106  1
 
 Swims at very high Reynolds number i.e. inertial terms in NS


equation are much larger then the viscous terms
rely on inertia when we (macroswimmers) swims
Dimensional analysis and similarity
 If we stop propelling ? ---------- Chapter 5

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Ex 1:
The power output of a hydraulic turbine P depends upon the diameter D of the
turbine rotor, the height H of the water surface above the turbine, the density ρ of
water, the gravitational acceleration g, the angular speed ω of turbine rotor, the
volumetric flow rate Q of the water through the turbine and the efficiency η of the
turbine. By dimensional analysis, generate a set of appropriate dimensionless
groups.
Ex 2:
The drag force F on a high speed aircraft depends upon the velocity of flight V, the
geometrical dimension of the air craft l, the fluid density ρ, viscosity μ and bulk
modulus of elasticity Ebulk of ambient air.
Using Buckingham π-theorem, find out the independent dimensionless quantities
which describe the phenomenon of drag on the aircraft.

 P  f ( D, H , ρ, g , ω, Q, )  F  f (V, l , ρ, μ, Eb )

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A long structural component of a bridge has the cross section shown in Fig. It is known that
when a steady wind blows past this type of bluff body, vortices may develop on the down-
wind side that are shed in a regular fashion at some definite frequency. Since these frequency
can create harmful periodic forces acting on the structure, it is important to determine the BITS Pilani
shedding frequency. If it is expected that the shedding frequency, ω, to depend on the lengths Pilani Campus

D and H, the approach velocity V, the fluid density ρ, and viscosity µ.

1. Use dimensional analysis to develop a functional relationship for ω.
2. For the specific structure of interest, D = 0.1 m, H = 0.3 m, and wind velocity is 50
km/hr. Standard air can be assumed. The shedding frequency is to be determined through
the use of a small scale model that is to be tested in a water tunnel. For the model Dm =
20 mm and the water temperature is 20o C. Determine the model dimension, Hm, and the
velocity at which the test should be performed. (Use for air, µ = 1.79 x 10-5 kg/m-s, ρ =
1.23 kg/m3, and for water at 20o C, µ = 1.00 x 10-3 kg/m-s, ρ = 998 kg/m3)
3. If the shedding frequency for the model is found to be 49.9 Hz, what is the corresponding
frequency for the prototype?

Strouhal number
In dimensional analysis, the Strouhal number (St)
is a dimensionless number describing oscillating
Dimensional analysis and similarity
flow mechanisms. The parameter is named Chapter 5
after Vincenc Strouhal, a Czech physicist who
experimented in 1878 with wires
experiencing vortex shedding and singing in the
25
wind.

Ex : Home assignment Turbulent flow :

Darcy-Weisbach equation :
The pressure drop ‘∆P’ in a pipe of diameter D and length l depends on density ρ,
viscosity μ of flowing fluid, mean velocity of flow V and average height of
L avg
2
roughness ε on pipe surface. Obtain a dimensionless expression for ∆P.
 hf  f  f   (Re) For laminar flow
D 2g

 P  f ( D, l , ρ,  , V ,  )  f   (Re, ) For turbulent flow
D

If
P flV 2
  hf  Turbulent flow :
ρg ρgD 1. Most commonly encountered in pipe flows

find a dimensionless function for coefficient of 2. Mixing is one positive application of turbulence
friction (f). • Heat transfer

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The aerodynamic drag of a new car is to be predicted at a speed of 80 km/hr at an Model Prototype
air temperature of 25˚C (refer Table A2). Automotive engineers build a one-fifth At T = 5˚C ρ = 1.269 kg/m3 At T = 25˚C ρ = 1.184 kg/m3 and
model of the car to test in a wind tunnel. It is winter and the wind tunnel is located and μ = 1.754 x 10-5 kg/m-s. μ = 1.849 x 10-5 kg/m-s.
in an unheated building; the temperature of the wind tunnel air is only about 5˚C.
Determine how fast the engineers should run the wind tunnel in order to achieve  ρVL   ρVL 
similarity between the model and the prototype.   2 m      2 p   
   model    prototype

Suppose the engineers run the wind tunnel at 354 km/hr to achieve similarity
between the model and the prototype. The aerodynamic drag force on the model
Fdrag ρVL car is measured with a drag balance. Several drag readings are recorded, and the
  ( )
ρV 2 L2  average drag force on the model is 95 N. Predict the aerodynamic drag force on the
prototype (at 80 km/hr and 25˚C).

Model Prototype Fdm Fdp

  1m   1 p  
At T = 5˚C ρ = 1.269 kg/m3 At T = 25˚C ρ = 1.184 kg/m3 and ρ mVm2 L2m ρ pV p2 L2p
and μ = 1.754 x 10-5 kg/m-s. μ = 1.849 x 10-5 kg/m-s. 29 30

Submarine model tested in wind tunnel:

If a water tunnel is used instead of a wind tunnel to test their one-fifth scale
model, the water tunnel speed required to achieve similarity is Similarity can be achieved even
when the model fluid is different
 ρ p  L p  m 
than the prototype fluid.
 Vm  V p    
 
 ρ m  Lm   p 

 1.184   1.00210 
3
 Vm  80 5  25.7 km/hr
 998   1.84910 
5

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Relation between the π-terms: Incomplete similarity:

It is not always possible to match all the π’s of a model to the corresponding π’s of
 1   ( 2 ) the prototype, even if we are careful to achieve geometric similarity.
This situation is called incomplete similarity.

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Incomplete similarity: Incomplete similarity:

One-sixteenth scale. The model is geometrically similar to the prototype. The model Possible options:
truck is 0.991 m long. Wind tunnel has a maximum speed of 70 m/s. The wind 1. Use a different fluid for the model tests. Water can achieve higher Re numbers,
tunnel test section is 1.0 m tall and 1.2 m wide. Truck speed = 26.8 m/s. but more expensive.
Determine how fast the engineers should run the wind tunnel in order to achieve
2. Use a bigger wind tunnel : Automobile manufacturers typically test with three-
similarity between the model and the prototype.
eighths scale model cars and with one-eighth scale model trucks and buses in
 ρVL   ρVL  very large wind tunnels.
     
   model    prototype 3. Run the wind tunnel at several speeds near the maximum speed, and then
extrapolate the results to the full-scale Reynolds number.
 ρ p  L p  m 
 Vm  V p    
 
 ρ m  Lm   p   ρ p  L p  m 
 Vm  V p    
 
 ρ m  Lm   p 

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Incomplete similarity: Incomplete similarity:

In many flows involving a liquid with a free surface, both the Reynolds number and
Froude number are relevant non-dimensional parameters.

Not always possible to match both Re

and Fr between model and prototype.

 ρVL   ρVL 
     
   model    prototype

 V   V 
   
 gL   
  model  gL  prototype
Extrapolate low Re model test data to predict high Re prototype behavior

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Incomplete similarity:
For water at atmospheric pressure and at T
1 = 20˚C, the prototype kinematic viscosity is
L   V p Lp  2
 m  m 
Vp νp = 1.002 x 10-6 m2/s
   
L p   p  Vm Vm  Lm 
3
 L 2
 m  p  m 
 Lp 
Required ratio of kinematic viscosities to match both Re and Fr :  
3 3

 m  Lm  2  1 2
   1.002106  9 2
  10 m /s
 p  L p   100 

1. Mercury ν = 1 x 10-7 m2/s

To ensure complete similarity, use a liquid whose kinematic viscosity satisfies 2. Too expensive and too hazardous
this equation. 3. We can not match both Fr and Re
4. Froude number matching is more critical than Reynolds number matching
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