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A more generalized dimension
method of analysisby E. Buckingham and
developed
others and is most popular now. This arranges
the variables into a lesser number
of
dimensionless groups of variables.
Because Buckingham used TT (pi) to
product of
represent the variables in each groups,
we call this method Buckingham pi theorem.

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Statement:
"If 'n' is the total number of variables in a
dimensionally homogenous equation containing 'm'
fundamental dimensions, then they may be grouped
into (n-m) dimensionless terms which are called TT
terms.
f{X1 , X2, . . . . . . nX } = 0
then the functional relationship will be written as
<1> (TT1 , TT2 ,
.............TTn-m) = o
The final equation obtained is in the form of:
TT1 = f (TT2 , TT3 , .............TT n-m) = 0
Suitable where n > 4
Not applicable if (n-m) = 0
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• List all physical variables and note 'n' and 'm'.
n = Total no. of variables
m = No. of fundamentaI dimensions (That
is,
[M], [L], [T])
• Compute number of TT-terms by (n-m)
• Write the equation in functional form
• Write equation in general form
• Select repeating variables. Must have all of the
'm' fundamental dimensions and should not
form a TT among themselves
• Solve each TT-term for the unknown exponents by
dimensiona I homogeneity.

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Let us apply Buckingham's TT method to an
problem
example that of the drag forcesF0 exerted
on a submerged sphere as it moves
througha viscous
fluid.

We need to follow a series of following steps when

applying Buckingham's TT theorem.

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Visualize the physical problem, consider the factors that are of
influence and list and count t h e n variable s.
We must first consider which physical factors infl uence the
drag force. Certainly, the size of the sphere and the velocity of
the sphere must be important. The fluid properties involved
are the density p and the viscosity µ. Thus we can write
f (F0 , D, V, p, µ) = 0
Here we used D, the sphere diameter, to represent sphere
size, and f stands for "som e function". We see that n = 5.

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Step 2: Choose a dimensional system (MLT or FLT) and list the
dimensions of each variables. Find m, the number of
fundamental dimensions involved in all the variables.
Choosing the MLT system, the dimensions are respectively
MLT·2I L LT·1 M I L·3 M
I
L·1T·I 1
We see that M, Land Tare involved in this example . S o m =
3. Step 3: Determine n-m, the number of dimensionless TT
groups needed. In our example this is 5 - 3 = 2, so we can
write <t>(TT1 . TT2 ) = o

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Form the TT groups by multiplying the
of the primary (repeating) variables, with
product
unknown exponents, by each of the remaining
variables, one at a time. We choose p, D, and
V
as the primary variables. Then the TT terms
are TT1 = oa Vo
pc FDoa v b pc
TT2=
µ-1

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To satisfy dimensional homogeneity, equate the
exponents of each dimension on both sides on each pi
equation and so solve for the exponents

TT1 = o a v b pcoF = (L)a (LT-l )b (ML-

3 )C (MLT-
Equate exponen 0 L0 T°
2 ) = Mts:

L: a +b -3c +1 = 0
M: c+l=O
T: -b -2 = 0
We can solve explicitly for
b = -2 I c = -1 a= -2
I

Therefore
TT1 = 0 -2 v -2 p-
1 oF = Fof (p v2
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 Finally, add viscosity to D, V, and p to find TT2 • Select any power
you like for viscosit y. By hindsight and custom, we select the power
-1 to place it in the denominator
TTl = o a v b pc µ·1 = ( L)a (LT·l )b (M L·3)c (M L·lr
-1)·1= M OL oro Equate exponents:
L: a+b-3c+l=O
M: c -1 = 0
T: -b+l=O
We can solve explicitly for
b = 1, c = 1, a=1
Therefore,
TT2 = 0 1 V1 p1 µ·1 = (D
V p)/(µ) =R = Reynolds
Number
R = Reynolds Number= Ratio of inertia forces to viscous forces
Check that all TsT are <
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 Rearrange the pi groups as desired. The pi theorem states that the
TTs are related. In this exam ple hence
FD/(p V2 D2) = ct> {R)
So that FD = p V2 D2 ct>
(R)
We must emphasize that dimensional analysis does not provide a
complete so lu t ion to fluid problems. It provides a partial solu t io n
only. The success of dimensional an alysis depends ent irely on the
ability of the individual using it to define the parameters that
are applicable. If we omit an import ant variable. The results are
incomplete, and this may lead to incorrect con clusions. Thus, to
use dimensional analysis successfully, one must be familiar with
the fluid phenomena involved.

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