 DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY

 In most experiments, to save time and

money, tests are performed on a geom
etrically scaled model, rather than on t
he full-scale prototype.
 In such cases, care must be taken to p
roperly scale the results. We introduce
here a powerful technique called dime
nsional analysis.
 The three primary purposes of dimensional analy
sis are
• To generate nondimensional parameters that hel
p in the design of experiments (physical and/or nu
merical) and in the reporting of experimental resul
ts
• To obtain scaling laws so that prototype performa
nce can be predicted from model performance
• To (sometimes) predict trends in the relationship
between parameters
 The principle of similarity

• Three necessary conditions for complete similarity between a

model and a prototype.
• (1) Geometric similarity - the model must be the same shape
as the prototype, but may be scaled by some constant scale fa
ctor.
• (2) Kinematic similarity - the velocity at any point in the mode
l flow must be proportional (by a constant scale factor) to the
velocity at the corresponding point in the prototype flow.
• (3) Dynamic similarity - When all forces in the model flow scal
e by a constant factor to corresponding forces in the prototyp
e flow (force-scale equivalence).
 Kinematic similarity is
achieved when, at all l
ocations, the speed in
the model flow is prop
ortional to that at corr
esponding locations i
n the prototype flow, a
nd points in the same
direction.

In a general flow field, complete similarity between a model

and prototype is achieved only when there is geometric, kin
ematic, and dynamic similarity.
We let uppercase Greek letter Pi () denote a nondimen
sional parameter.
In a general dimensional analysis problem, there is one
 that we call the dependent , giving it the notation 1.
The parameter 1 is in general a function of several othe
r ’s, which we call independent ’s.
Functional relationship between ’s: 1 = f(2, 3,....k)

To ensure complete similarity, the model and prototype

must be geometrically similar, and all independent grou
ps must match between model and prototype.
To achieve similarity
If ∏₂,m = ∏₂,p and ∏₃,m = ∏₃,p and ∏k,m = ∏k,p
Then ∏₁,m = ∏₁,p
Geometric similarity between a prototype car of length Lp a
nd a model car of length Lm.
 The Reynolds number Re is f
ormed by the ratio of density,
characteristic speed, and cha
racteristic length to viscosity.
Alternatively, it is the ratio of
characteristic speed and leng
th to kinematic viscosity, defi
ned as  =/.

∏₁ = f(∏₂) where ∏₁ = Fd / ρV²L³ and ∏₂ = ρVL / μ

The Reynolds number is the most well known and usefu

l dimensionless parameter in all of fluid mechanics.
Example :
Similarity between Model and Prototype Cars

The aerodynamic drag of a new sports car is to be predicte

d at a speed of 50 mi/h at a temperature of 25°C.
Automotive engneers buid a one-fifth scale model of the c
ar to test in a wind tunnel. It is winter and the wind tunnel
is located is an uheated buiding; the temperature of the wi
nd tunnel air is only about 5°C. Determine how fast the en
gineers should run the wind tunnel in order to achieve sim
ilarity between the model and the prototype.

Properties: For air at atmospheric pressure and at T = 25°C

, ρ = 1.184kg/m³ and μ = 1.184x10ˉ⁵ kg/m-s. Similarit, at T
= 5°C, ρ = 1.269 kg/m³ and μ = 1.754x10ˉ⁵kg/m-s.
A drag balance is a devic
e used
in a wind tunnel to measu
re the
aerodynamic drag of a bo
dy. When testing automo
bile models, a moving bel
t is often added to the flo
or of the wind tunnel to si
mulate the moving groun
d (from the car’s frame of
reference).
Analysis:

Since there is only one independent ∏ in

this problem, the similarity equation holds
∏₂,m = ∏₂,p where ∏₂ is given and we call it
Reynolds number. Thus, we write

∏₂,m = Rem = ρmVmLm/μm =

∏₂,p = Rep = ρpVpLp/μp
Which we solve for the unknown wind tu
nnel speed for the model tests, Vm ,

Vm = Vp (μm/μp) (ρp /ρm) (Lp/Lm)

= (50.0mi/h)(1.754x10ˉ⁵kg/m.s/
1.849x10ˉ⁵kg/m.s)(1.184kg/m³/
1.269kg/m³)(5)
= 221mi/h
Example:
Prediction of Aerodyamic Drag Force on a Prototype C
ar
This example is follow-up to the first example . Supp
ose the engineers run the wind tunnel at 221 mi/h to
achieve similarity beyween the model and the protot
ype. The aerodynamic drag force on the model car is
measured with a drag balance. Several drag readings
are recorded, and the average drag force on the mod
el is 21.2 lbf. Predict the aerodynamic drag force on t
he prototype (at 50 mi/h and 25°C).

12
A drag balance is a devic
e used
in a wind tunnel to measu
re the
aerodynamic drag of a bo
dy. When testing automo
bile models, a moving bel
t is often added to the flo
or of the wind tunnel to si
mulate the moving groun
d (from the car’s frame of
reference).

13
Analysis :
The similarity eqaution shows that since ∏₂,m = ∏₂,p ,
∏₁,m = ∏₁,p, where ∏₁ is given for this problem . Thu
s we write

∏1,m = FD,m / ρmV²mL²m= ∏1,p = FD,m / ρpV²pL²p

Which we can solve for the unknown aerodynamic d

rag force on the prototype car, FD,m ,
FD,p = FD,m (ρp/ ρm) (V²p /V²m )(L²p /L²m )
= (21.2lbf) (1.184kg/m³/ 1.269kg/m³)
( 50 mi/h / 221mi/h )²(5)²
= 25.3 lbf 14
If a water tunnel is used instead of a wind tu
nnel to test their one-fifth scale model, the
water tunnel speed required to achieve simi
larity is

Vm = Vp (μm/μp) (ρp /ρm) (Lp/Lm)

= (50.0 mi/h) (1.002x10³ kg/m.s / 1.84
9x10ˉ⁵ kg/m.s( 1.184kg/m³ / 998.0 kg/m³) (
5)
= 16.1 mi/h
Sample Problem:

A clever design of the front of a ship is to

be tested in a water basin. A drag of 12.2
N is measured on the 1:20 scale model w
hen towed at a speed of 3.6 m/s. Determi
ne the corresponding speed of the protot
ype ship and the drag to be expected.
Buckingham’s π Theorem

Theorem describes how every physicall

y meaningful equation involving n varia
bles can be equivalently rewritten as an
equation of (n-m) dimensionless param
eters, where m is the number of funda
mental dimensions used.
Determination of Pi terms

 List all variables that are involved in the pr

oblem
 Express each on in terms of primary dimen
sions (MLTq)
 Determine required number of Pi terms (e
ach independent)
 Select a number of repeating variables (eq
ual to number of dimensions)
 Form pi terms by multiplying one of the
nonrepeating variables by the product o
f repeating variables
 Repeat last step for all nonrepeating vari
ables
 Check that all resulting Pi terms are dim
ensionless
 Express in final form
 Buckhingham’s π Theorem Dimensional
Analysis
n = total variables
m = fundamental variables
(n-m) = dimensionless variables = ∏ terms
 Sample of choosing repeating variables:

(R,l,v,μ,ρ,k)
Where: R = resistance force
l = length
v = velocity
μ = viscosity of the air
ρ = density of the air
k = buck modulus
 Repeating variables should be choosen at least:

i. Geometric property (l)

ii. Flow property (v )
iii.Fluid property (ρ)

R = f(l,v,μ,ρ,k)

f(R,l,v,μ,р,k) = 0
n=6
m=3
n-m = 3
Dimensions:

l =(L)
V = ( LTˉ¹ )
р = ( MLˉ³ )
R = ( MLTˉ² )
μ = ( MLˉ¹Tˉ¹ )
k = ( ML¹Tˉ² )
 f1(π1,π2,π3) = 0

π1 = R / ρv²l²
π2 = μ / lvρ
π3 = k / v²ρ

f1 ( R / ρv²l² , μ / lvρ , k / v²ρ ) = 0

R / ρv²l² = ф ( μ / lvρ ,k / v²ρ )