Dimensional Analysis

Engr. Muhammad Shafqat Mehboob

msmce102@yahoo.com
Msc. Civil Engineering
 Introduction
• It is a pure mathematical technique to
establish a relationship between physical
quantities (variables or parameters) involved
in a fluid phenomenon by considering their
dimensions.
• We may express Physical quantities in either
FLT or MLT system.
 Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional Analysis refers to the physical
nature of the quantity and the type of unit
(Dimension) used to specify it.
Distance has dimension L.
Area has dimension L2.
Volume has dimension L3.
Time has dimension T.
Speed has dimension L/T
 Application of Dimensional Analysis

• Development of an equation for fluid

phenomenon
• Conversion of one system of units to another
• Reducing the number of variables required in
an experimental program so that number of
experiments to be performed is reduced ,e.g.
• Develop principles of hydraulic similitude for
model study
 Fundamental Dimensions
• MLT system
• FLT system

These two systems are inter-related as follow:

F = ma 2nd Law of motion
F = MLT-2
or M = FL-1T-2
 Dimensions of Some Common
Physical Quantities

[x], Length – L [r], Mass Density – ML-3

[m], Mass – M [P], Pressure – ML-1T-2
[t], Time – T [E], Energy – ML2T-2
[v], Velocity – LT-1 [I], Electric Current – QT-1
[a], Acceleration – LT-2 [q], Electric Change – Q
[F], Force – MLT-2 [E], Electric Field - MLQT-2
 Basic Concepts
• All the terms in an equation should have same
dimensions eg. Bernoulli's Equation.
• This is called Principle of dimensional
homogeneity.
• To understand basic concept of dimensional
analysis let us discuss an example.
• We take the example of velocity of pressure
wave which is produced due to sudden closure of
valve.
Methods for Dimensional Analysis

• Rayleigh’s Method
• Buckingham’s π-method
 Rayleigh’s Method
Functional relationship between variables is
expressed in the form of an exponential
relation which must be dimensionally
homogeneous
if “y” is a function of independent variables x1,
x2, x3, ….. xn, then

y  f ( x1 , x 2 , x3 ,.......x n )
 Procedure
• Write fundamental relationship of the given
data
• Write the same equation in exponential form
• Select suitable system of fundamental
dimensions
• Substitute dimensions of the physical quantities
• Apply dimensional homogeneity
• Equate the powers and compute the values of
the exponents
• Substitute the values of exponents
• Simplify the expression
 Rayleigh’s Method
• We must consider all the physical parameters
which may influence the speed of pressure wave.
• We take Ev (compressibility), density ρ ,
kinematic viscosity ν of the fluid.
• V=[L/T]
• ρ=[M/L3]
• ν=[L2/T]
• Ev=[M/LT2]
 Rayleigh’s Method
•  Now multiply All the quantities so we have
V=CEvaρbνd
• Here c is a dimensionless constant, putting the
corresponding dimensions we get

• To satisfy dimensional homogeneity, the

exponents of each dimensions must be
identical on both sides of the equation. so
 Rayleigh’s Method
•   M
For
• For L:
• For T;
• Solving these equations we get
• a= ½; b=-1/2; d=0
• So we get
 Buckingham’s π-method
• List all physical variables and note ‘n’ and ‘m’.
n = total no. of variables
m = eq. containing fundamental dimensions
• Compute number of π-terms
• Write the eq. in functional form
• Write eq. in general form
• Select repeating variables. Must have all of the ‘m’ fundamental
dimensions and should not form a π among themselves
• Solve each π-term for the unknown exponents by dimensional
homogeneity.

 [ 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,..........]  0
 Buckingham’s π-method
• Consider the factors affecting the drag force
on a sphere.(done experiment in lab)
• These include size of the sphere D, velocity of
the sphere V, density ρ and viscosity μ. So
f ( FD , D, V ,  ,  )  0

• Here we see that n=5

 Buckingham’s π-method
• Choose a Dimensionless system (MLT or FLT) and
determine the number of fundamental dimensions
involved in the system (m).

• We will choose MLT system so the corresponding

dimension will be
ML L M M
2
, L, , 3 ,
T T L LT

• We can see that here m=3

 Buckingham’s π-method
• Determine the number of π-terms needed. In this case
they will be n-m=5-3=2.

• Select the primary or repeating variables such that

they must contain all of the m fundamental dimensions
and must not form a π (dimensionless group) among
themselves.

• Choose ρ, D and V as the repeating variables. The π-

terms will then be
 Buckingham’s π-method
1   a1 D b1V c1 
 2   a2 D b2 V c2 FD

• Using the principle of dimensional homogeneity, we can

solve for the exponents on each side of the equation.

• Since π-terms are dimensionless, they can be replaced

by M0L0T0.
• So our expressions will look like
a1 c1
M  L  M 
M LT  3 
0 0 0 b1
L    
 L   T   LT 
M : 0  a1  1
L : 0  3a1  b1  c1  1
T : 0  c1  1
• Solving,
a1  1; b1  1; c1  1
thus
1
  DV 
1   1 1
D V 1
  
  

DV  

Re  DV / 
• As
Buckingham’s π-method
1  R 1
and
FD
2 
D 2V 2
  1 ,  2   0

 1 FD 

 R , D 2V 2 
0
 
 Buckingham’s π-method
• This shows that the drag force depends upon the
Reynold’s number which is the ratio of inertial forces
to viscous forces.
• Dimensional analysis only provides a partial solution
to the fluid problems as it depends entirely on the
ability of the individual to perceive the factors
influencing a fluid phenomenon.
• So if an important variable is omitted, then the
results could be entirely different.
 Benefits
• Reliable problem solving approach
• Reduces errors in algebra
• Reinforces unit conversion
• Simplifies computation
• Improves understanding of maths applications
• Multiple ways to solve the same problem
 Assignment

Submission Date 23/3/15 @ 12.00 pm

 PROBLEM (1)
• Derive an expression for the flow rate q over
the spillway shown in the figure per foot of
spillway perpendicular to the sketch. Assume
that the sheet of water is relatively thick, so
that surface-tension effects are negligible.
Assume also that gravity effects predominate
so strongly over viscosity that we can neglect
viscosity.
 PROBLEM 2
• Derive an expression for the shear stress at
the pipe wall when an incompressible fluid
flows through a pipe under pressure. Use
dimensional analysis with the following
significant parameters: pipe diameter D, flow
velocity V, and viscosity µ and density ρ of the
fluid.
 PROBLEM 3
• The critical depth yc in a V-shaped channel
depends upon the discharge Q, acceleration
due to gravity g, and the vertex angle θ made
by the two side-walls of the channel. Using the
method of dimensional analysis drive an
equation for the critical depth.