CE16 01 - Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

Fluid Mechanics for Civil Engineering II
CE 16 Lecture Notes
Cornelio Q. Dizon
Institute of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
University of the Philippines
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
1
Dimensional
Analysis
& Similitude
Dimensional Analysis
Definition : Dimensional analysis is a process of formulating fluid mechanics problems in
terms of dimensionless parameters or groups by studying the dimensions
of the quantities or variables
Why is it used :
Reduction in variables ( If F(A
1
, A
2
, , A
n
) = 0, then f(
1
,
2
,
r
< n) = 0,
where, F = functional form, A
i
= dimensional variables,
j
= dimensionless parameters, m = number of
important dimensions, n = number of dimensional variables, r= n m ). Thereby the number of
experiments required to determine f vs. F is reduced.
Based on the principle that an equation expressing a physical relationship between variables must be
dimensionally homogeneous, the dimensions on each side of the equation must be the same
Provides qualitative rather than quantitative relationships
2
Provides qualitative rather than quantitative relationships
When combined with experimental methods, results in accurate prediction equation
Variables in Fluid Mechanics
Boundary Geometry Fluid Flow Fluid Property
length (L) time (T) velocity (LT
-1
) mass density (ML
-3
)
area (L
2
) acceleration (LT
-2
) discharge (L
3
T
-1
) specific weight (ML
-2
T
-2
)
volume (L
3
) force (MLT
-2
) pressure (ML
-1
T
-2
) absolute viscosity (ML
-1
T
-1
)
work (ML
2
T
-2
) energy (ML
2
T
-2
) elasticity (ML
-1
T
-2
)
power (ML
2
T
-3
)
Applications
Drag = f(V, L, r, m, c, t, e, T, etc.)
From dimensional analysis,
3
Vortex formed behind a cylinder
Buckingham Theorem
1. A prediction equation involving n variables in m dimensions may be
reduced to a set of (n-m) dimensionless groups
Typically: all variables required to describe the problem geometry (D)
or define fluid properties (, ) and fluid flow (velocity, acceleration)
2. Express each variables in terms of MLT dimensions (m)
3. Determine the required number of dimensionless parameters (n m)
4
3. Determine the required number of dimensionless parameters (n m)
4. Select a number of repeating variables = number of dimensions
Each should represent boundary geometry, fluid flow and fluid property
The most common repeating variables are Velocity, Mass Density, and
a Length Parameter
5. The repeating variables are combined with each of the other nonrepeating
variables and by a proper choice of exponents arrive at the dimensionless
products
6. Repeat for each nonrepeating variable
7. Express result as a relationship among the dimensionless parameters
Manipulation of Groups
Once identified manipulation of the groups is permitted. These manipulations do not change the number
of groups involved, but may change their appearance drastically.
Taking the defining equation as: (
1
,
2
,
3

n-m
) = 0
Then the following manipulations are permitted:
Any number of groups can be combined by multiplication or division to form a new group which
replaces one of the existing. E.g.
1
and
2
may be combined to form
1a
=
1
/
2
so the defining
equation becomes
5
(
1a
,
2
,
3

n-m
) = 0
The reciprocal of any dimensionless group is valid. So (
1
,1/
2
,
3
1/
n-m
) = 0 is valid.
Any dimensionless group may be raised to any power. So ( (
1
)
2
, (
2
)
1/2
, (
3
)
3

n-m
) = 0 is
valid.
Any dimensionless group may be multiplied by a constant.
Any group may be expressed as a function of the other groups, e.g.
2
= (
1
,
3

n-m
)
In general the defining equation could look like
(
1
, 1/
2
,(
3
)
i
0.5
n-m
) = 0
Example 1
Find: Drag force on rough sphere is function
of D, , , V and l. Express in form:
) , (
2 1 3
f =
F
D
D V l
6
MLT
-2
L ML
-3
ML
-1
T
-1
LT
-1
L

VD
or
DV
b b T
a c b a L
c c M
ML LT L T ML T L M
V D
c b a
c b a
= = =
= =
= + + =
= + =
=
=

Re
1 1 0 :
1 3 1 0 :
1 1 0 :
) ( ) ( ) )( (
) (
1 1
3 1 1 1 0 0 0
1
n = 6 No. of dimensional parameters
m = 3 No. of dimensions
r = n - m = 3 No. of dimensionless parameters
Select repeating variables: D, V, and
Combine these with nonrepeating variables: F, & l
Example 1
F
D
D V l
MLT
-2
L ML
-3
ML
-1
T
-1
LT
-1
L
V D l
c b a
=
2
) (
Select repeating variables: D, V, and
Combine these with nonrepeating variables: F, & l
3 1 2 0 0 0
3
1 1 0 :
) ( ) ( ) )( (
) (
c c M
ML LT L MLT T L M
V D F
c b a
c b a
D

= + =
=
=

7
D
l
b b T
a c b a L
c c M
ML LT L L T L M
V D l
c b a
=
= =
= + + =
= =
=
=

2
3 1 0 0 0
2
0 0 :
1 3 1 0 :
0 0 :
) ( ) ( ) )( (
) (

2 2
3
2 2 0 :
2 3 1 0 :
1 1 0 :
D V
F
b b T
a c b a L
c c M
D
=
= =
= + + =
= + =
) , (
2 2
D
l VD
f
D V
F
D
=
Example 2
0 ) , , , , ( = V L F

a c b a L
c c M
ML LT L T ML T L M
V L
c b a
c b a
= + + =
= + =
=
=

1 3 1 0 :
1 1 0 :
) ( ) ( ) )( (
) (
3 1 1 1 0 0 0
1
Force F on a body immersed in a flowing fluid depends
on: L, V, , and
n = 5 No. of dimensional parameters
m = 3 No. of dimensions
r = n - m = 2 No. of dimensionless parameters
F L V
8
VL
or
LV
b b T
a c b a L
= = =
= =
= + + =
Re
1 1 0 :
1 3 1 0 :
1 1
Select repeating variables: L, V, and
Combine these with the rest of the variables: F &
Reynolds number
F L V
MLT
-2
L LT
-1
ML
-3
ML
-1
T
-1
1 1 0 :
) ( ) ( ) )( (
) (
3 1 2 0 0 0
2
c c M
ML LT L MLT T L M
V L F
c b a
c b a
= + =
=
=

F L V
MLT
-2
L LT
-1
ML
-3
ML
-1
T
-1
Example 2
9
(Re)
) (
2 2 0 :
2 3 1 0 :
1 1 0 :
2 2
1 2
2 2
2
f
L V
F
f and
V L
F
b b T
a c b a L
c c M
=
= =
= =
= + + =
= + =
Dimensionless force is a function

of the Reynolds number
10
11
Example 3
12
13
1 1 2
2
1 2. 51
2 log
3 .7 R e
k D
f
f
(
= +
(

Common Dimensionless Numbers
Reynolds Number (inertial to viscous forces)
Important in all fluid flow problems
Froude Number (inertial to gravitational forces)
Important in problems with a free surface
Vd
= Re
gy
V
Fr =
14
Euler Number (pressure to inertial forces)
Important in problems with pressure differences
Mach Number (inertial to elastic forces)
Important in problems with compressibility effects
Weber Number (inertial to surface tension forces)
Important in problems with surface tension effects
gy
c
V
K
V
M = =
/
2
LV
W =
2
V
p
E
u
=
Similitude: Prototype and Model
15
Scales: model and prototype (full-scale)
Selection of the model scale: governed by dimensional analysis and similitude
Physical Models
16
Similitude
Definition : Flow conditions for a model test are completely similar if all significant
dimensionless parameters have the same corresponding values for model and prototype.
i model = i prototype
Enables conversion of measured quantities from model to prototype
values
However, complete similarity usually is not possible. Therefore, often it is
necessary to use Re, or Fr, or M scaling, i.e., select most important and
accommodate others as best possible
Models in Fluid Mechanics
17
Mathematical Models
Physical Models undistorted, distorted
Similitude between Model and Prototype
Geometric Similarity : all body dimensions in all three coordinates have the
same linear-scale ratios. Ratio of linear dimensions
Kinematic Similarity : homologous (same relative position) particles lie at
homologous points at homologous times. Ratio of velocity components
Dynamic Similarity : in addition to the requirements for kinematic similarity
the model and prototype forces ratio must be in a constant. Ratio of
homologous forces
Similitude
Similitude
Predict prototype behavior from
model results
Models resemble prototype, but are
Different size (usually smaller)
and may operate in
18
and may operate in
Different fluid and under
Different conditions
Problem described in terms of
dimensionless parameters which
may apply to the model or the
prototype
Suppose it describes the prototype
A similar relationship can be written
for a model of the prototype
) 3 2 1
,..., , (
n
f =
) 3 2 1
,..., , (
np p p p
f =
) 3 2 1
,..., , (
nm m m m
f =
Similitude
If the model is
designed & operated
under conditions that
np nm
p m
p m

=
=
=
...
3 3
2 2
Similarity
requirements or
modeling laws
19
then
np nm
=
p m 1 1
=
Dependent variable
for prototype will be
the same as in the
model
20
Vd
= Re
gy
V
Fr =
/ K
V
M =
2
LV
W =
21
2
V
p
E
u

22
Similitude Ratios for Flow Variables
Having decided on the Model Law, similitude ratios for
the various flow variables are determined in terms of the
Length Ratio LR
Velocity Ratio corresponds to the Model Law
With pressure computations, the Euler criteria is satisfied
23
With pressure computations, the Euler criteria is satisfied
p
p
m
m
p
m
p
p p
m
m m
p m
V
L
L
V
L V
L V

=
=
= Re Re
For example,
using Reynolds Law
Similitude Ratios Using Froudes Law
24
Example
Consider predicting the drag on a
thin rectangular plate (L*B) placed
normal to the flow.
Drag is a function of: B, L, , , V
) , , , , ( B L V f F
D
=
) , (
) , (
2 2
3 2 1

VL
B
L
f
V L
F
f
D
=
=
Dimensional analysis shows:
And this applies BOTH to a model
and a prototype
25
) , (
) , (
2 2
3 2 1
m
m m m
m
m
m m m
Dm
m m m
L V
B
L
f
V L
F
f

=
=
) , (
) , (
2 2
3 2 1
p
p p p
p
p
p p p
Dp
p p p
L V
B
L
f
V L
F
f

=
=
and a prototype
We can design a model to predict the
drag on a prototype.
Model will have:
And the prototype will have:
Example
Similarity conditions
Geometric similarity
Dynamic similarity
p
p
m
m
p
p
m
m
p m
L
B
B
L
B
L
B
L
= = =
2 2

Gives us the size of the model
26
p
m
p
m
p
p
m
m
p
p p p
m
m m m
p m
V
L
L
V
L V
L V
= = =
3 3
Dm
m
p
m
p
m
p
Dp
p p p
Dp
m m m
Dm
p m
F
V
V
L
L
F
V L
F
V L
F
2 2
2 2 2 2
1 1
|
|
\
|
|
|
\
|
= = =

Dynamic similarity
Then
Gives us the velocity in the model
Example
Given: Submarine moving below surface in
sea water
(=1015 kg/m
3
, =/=1.4x10-6 m
2
/s).
Model is 1/20-th scale in fresh water (20
o
C).
Find: Speed of water in the test for dynamic
similarity and the ratio of drag force on
2 2
2 2 2 2
=
m m m m
p p p
p
m m m
m
l V F
l V
F
l V
F

27
similarity and the ratio of drag force on
model to that on prototype.
Solution: Reynolds number is significant
parameter.
s m V
s m
V
L
L
V
L V
L V
m
p
p
m
m
p
m
p
p p
m
m m
p m
/ 6 . 28
/ 2
4 . 1
1
1
20
Re Re
=
=
=
=
=

504 . 0
20
1
2
6 . 28
1015
1000
2 2
2 2
2 2
=
|
\
|
|
\
|
=
=
p
m
p p p
m m m
p
m
F
F
l V
l V
F
F
Sample Problems
28

CE16 01 - Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

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Fluid Mechanics for Civil Engineering II

Dimensionless force is a function

Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

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