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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Dimensional analysis is a means of simplifying a physical problem by appealing
to dimensional homogeneity to reduce the number of relevant variables. It is
particularly useful for:
presenting and interpreting experimental data;
attacking problems not amenable to a direct theoretical solution;
checking equations;
establishing the relative importance of particular physical phenomena;
physical modelling.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 2
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Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 3
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 4
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Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 5
Rayleigh’s Method: This method is used for determining the expression for a
variable which depends upon maximum three or four variables only. If the number
of independent variables becomes more than four, then it is very difficult to find the
expression for the dependent variable.
X f X1, X 2 , X 3
The values of a, b and c are obtained by comparing the powers of the fundamental
dimensions on both sides. Thus the expression is obtained for dependent variable.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 6
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TUTORIALS
Problem 1: The time period (t) of a pendulum depends upon the length (L) of the
pendulum and acceleration due to gravity (g). Derive an expression for the time
period.
Problem 2: Find an expression for the drag force on smooth sphere of diameter D,
moving with a uniform velocity V in a fluid of density ρ and dynamic viscosity µ.
Problem 3: Find the expression for the power P, developed by a pump when P
depends upon the head H, the discharge Q and specific weight w of the fluid.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 7
Step 1: Let X1, X2, X3,…., Xn are the variables involved in the physical problem.
Let X1 be the dependent variable and X2, X3,…., Xn are the independent variables
on which X1 depends. Then X1 is a function of X2, X3,…., Xn and mathematically it
is expressed as
X 1 f X 2 , X 3 ,.... X n
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 8
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f X 1 , X 2 , X 3 ,.... X n 0
f 1 , 2 , 3 ,.... n m 0
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 9
Step 3: Let in the above case X2, X3 and X4 are repeating variables if the
fundamental dimension (M,L,T) = 3. Then each π-term is written as
1 X 2 a X 3b X 4c X1
1 1 1
2 X 2 a X 3b X 4c X 5
2 2 2
nm X 2 a X 3b X 4c X n
m m n m n m
2 1 , 3 ,...., n m
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 10
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TUTORIALS
Problem 1: The resisting force R of a supersonic plane during flight can be
considered as dependent upon the length of the aircraft (l), velocity (V), air
viscosity (µ), air density (ρ) and bulk modulus of air K. Express the functional
relationship between these variables and the resisting force.
Problem 3: Using Buckingham π theorem show that the velocity through a circular
orifice is given by
D
V 2 gH ,
H VH
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 11
Inertia Force (Fi): Inertia force is equal to the product of mass and acceleration of
the flowing fluid and acts in the direction opposite to the direction of acceleration.
Viscous Force (Fv): Viscous force is equal to the product of shear stress (ς) due
to viscosity and surface area of flow.
Gravity Force (Fg): Gravity force is equal to the product of mass and acceleration
due to gravity of the flowing fluid.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 12
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Pressure Force (Fp): Pressure force is equal to the product of pressure intensity
and cross-sectional area of the flowing fluid.
Surface Tension Force (Fs): Surface tension force is equal to the product of
surface tension and length of surface of the flowing fluid.
Elastic Force (Fe): Elastic force is equal to the product of elastic stress and area
of the flowing fluid.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 13
DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS
Dimensionless numbers are those numbers which are obtained from the ratio of
one force to another force. These dimensionless numbers are also called non-
dimensional parameters. The following are the important dimensionless
numbers:
Reynold’s number (Re)
Froude’s number (Fr)
Euler’s number (Eu)
Weber’s number (We)
Mach number (M)
Reynold’s number (Re): Reynold’s is defined as the ratio of inertia force of the
flowing fluid and viscous force of the fluid.
Inertia Force (Fi ) = (Mass) (Acceleration of flowing fluid)
v
= ( Volume) Av 2 Volume/t = Av
t
du Av
Viscous Force (Fv ) = (Shear stress) (Area) = A = A
dy L
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 14
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Froude’s number (Fe): The Froude’s number is defined as the square root of the
ratio of inertia force of a flowing fluid to the gravity force.
Fi
Froude's number (Fe ) =
Fg
Fi v
Froude's number (Fe ) =
Fg Lg
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 15
Euler’s number (Eu): The Euler’s number is defined as the square root of the
ratio of inertia force of a flowing fluid to the pressure force.
Fi
Euler's number (E u ) =
Fp
Fi v
Euler's number (E u ) =
Fp p/
Weber’s number (We): The Weber’s number is defined as the square root of the
ratio of inertia force of a flowing fluid to the surface tension force.
Fi
Weber's number (We ) =
Fs
Surface tension Force (Fs ) = (Surface tension per unit length) (Length) = L
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 16
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Fi Av 2 L2v 2 v
Weber's number (We ) =
Fs L L / L
Mach’s number (M): The Mach’s number is defined as the square root of the ratio
of inertia force of a flowing fluid to the elastic force.
Fi
Mach's number (M ) =
Fe
Fi L2v 2 v
Mach's number (M ) =
Fe KL2 C
K
C = Velocity of sound in the fluid =
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 17
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 18
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Rem Re p
mVm Lm pVp Lp
m p
pV p L p 1
1
mVm Lm p / m
rVr Lr
1
r
Vr , r , Lr and r are called the scale ratios for velocity, density, linear deformation
and viscosity of fluid.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 20
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The scale ratios for time, acceleration, force and discharge for Reynold’s model law
are obtained as
Lr
tr Time scale ratio
Vr
Vr
ar Acceleration scale ratio
tr
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 21
TUTORIALS
Problem 1: A pipe of diameter 1.5 m is required to transport an oil of sp. Dr. 0.90
and viscosity 3 x 10-2 poise at the rate of 3000 litre/s. Tests were conducted on a 15
cm diameter pipe using water at 200C. Find the velocity and rate of flow in the
model. Viscosity of water at 200C = 0.01 poise.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 22
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Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 23
VP, LP and gp are the corresponding values of the velocity, length and acceleration
due to gravity for the prototype. Then according to Froude model law
Fe mod el Fe prototype
Vm Vp
g m Lm g p Lp
If the tests on the model are performed on the same place where prototype is to
operate, then gm = gp
Vm V
p
Lm Lp
Vp Lp
Lr
Vm Lm
Vp
Lr Scale ratio for length, Vr Scale ratio for velocity
Vm
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 24
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Scale ratios for various physical quantities based on Froude model law are:
Tp L /V p Lr
Tr Lr
Tm L / V m Lr
ap V / T p Lr
ar 1
am V / T m Lr
Qp L /T 3
L3r L
Qr L2.5 Q A V L
p 2
Qm L /T 3
m
Lr
r
T
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 25
p Lp V p
2 2
Fp 3 V 2 2
Fr F ma L L V
Fm m Lm Vm T
p Vp
2
F L2V 2
pp 2
pr Lr Lr p V 2
m Vm
2
pm A L
If the fluid used in model and prototype is same, then ρp = ρm.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 26
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Tp F L p
Tr Fr Lr Lr 3 Lr Lr 4 T F L
Tm F L m
Pp 1 1 FL
Pr Fr Lr Lr 3 Lr L3.5 P
Pm Tr Lr T
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 27
TUTORIALS
Problem 1: In 1 in 40 model of a spillway, the velocity and discharge are 2 m/s and
2.5 m3/s. Find the corresponding velocity and discharge in the prototype.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 28
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Eu mod el Eu prototype
VP, pp and ρp are the corresponding values of the velocity, pressure and density for
the prototype. Then according to Euler model law
Vm Vp
pm / m pp / p
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 29
Vm V
p
pm pp
Euler model law is applied for fluid flow problems where flow is taking place in a
closed pipe and turbulence is fully developed so that viscous forces are
negligible and gravity force and surface tension force is absent.
This law is also used where the phenomenon of cavitation takes place.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 30
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VP, σp, ρp, and Lp and are the corresponding values of the velocity, surface tension
pressure, density and length for the prototype. Then according to Weber model
law
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 31
Vm Vp
m / m Lm p / p Lp
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 32
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VP, Kp and ρp are the corresponding values of the velocity, elastic stress and
density for the prototype. Then according to Mach model law
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 33
Vm Vp
K m / m Kp / p
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 34
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TUTORIALS
Problem 1: The pressure drop in an aeroplane model of size 1/10th of its prototype
is 80N/cm2. The model is tested in water. Find the corresponding pressure drop in
the prototype. Take density of air = 1.24 kg/m3. The viscosity of water is 0.01 poise
while the viscosity of air is 0.00018 poise.
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 35
Thank you
Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, NITK Surathkal Dr. Debabrata Karmakar 36
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