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FM-1, L # 14

..L # 01
Fluid Mechanics-1

Prepared by
Prof: Prof: F. Gul Samadani
Mechanical Engineering department, 2015.

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 Parameter Dimensions

Consider experimental studies of drag on a cylinder

Drag (F) depends upon

Flow Speed V, diameter d, viscosity m, density of fluid r

Just imagine how many experiments are needed to study

this phenomenon completely,

It may run into hundreds

A dimensional analysis indicates that Cd and Reynolds number,

Re or the Mach number M can determine the Cd behaviour
thus making it necessary to perform only a limited number of
experiments.
Non-dimensional numbers in Fluid Dynamics

Reynolds Number Re
Euler Number
or Pressure Coefficient Cp
Froude Number Fr
Mach Number M
Cavitation Number Ca
Weber Number We
Knudsen Number Kn
 Reynolds Number, Re

Ratio of Inertial forces to Viscous forces.

r V 2 L2 r VL
Re
m VL m
Flow at low Reynolds numbers are laminar
Flows at large Reynolds numbers are usually turbulent
At low Reynolds numbers viscous effects are important
in a large region around a body.
At higher Reynolds numbers viscous effects are confined
to a thin region around the body.
 Euler Number

Ratio of Pressure forces to Inertial Force

p
Cp 1
2 r V 2

An important parameter in Aerodynamics

 Cavitation Number

In cavitation studies, p(see formula for Cp) is taken

as p - pv where
p is the liquid pressure and pv is the liquid vapour pressure,
The Cavitation number is given by

p pv
Ca 1
2 r V 2
 Froude Number

Square of Froude Number related to the ratio of

Inertial to Gravity forces.

V
Fr
gL
Important when free surfaces effects are significant

Fr < 1 Subcritical Flow

Fr > 1 Supercritical Flow
 Weber Number

Ratio of Inertia to Surface Tension forces.

r V 2L
We

Where is surface tension
 Mach Number

Could be interpreted as the ratio of

Inertial to Compressibility forces

V r V 2 L2
M M2
c Ev L2
Where c is the local sonic speed, Ev is the
Bulk Modulus of Elasticity.
A significant parameter in Aerodynamics.

NOTE: For incompressible Flows, c = and M = 0

 Similitude and Model Studies

For a study on a model to relate to that on a prototype

it is required that there be

Geometrical Similarity
Kinematic Similarity
Dynamic Similarity
 Geometrical Similarity

Physical dimensions of model and prototype be similar

Hp Hm

Lm

Lp Lp Lm

Hp Hm
prototype
1/20th scale model
 The Reynolds number is the most well known and
useful dimensionless parameter in all of fluid
mechanics.

The Reynolds number Re is formed by the

Geometric similarity between a
prototype car of length Lp and a model
car of length Lm.
ratio of density, characteristic speed, and
characteristic length to viscosity.
Alternatively, it is the ratio of characteristic
speed and length to kinematic viscosity,
defined as =m/r.

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(3) dynamic similarityWhen all forces in the model flow scale by a constant factor
to corresponding forces in the prototype flow (force-scale equivalence).

Kinematic similarity is achieved

when, at all locations, the speed
in the model flow is
proportional to that at
corresponding locations in the
prototype flow, and points in
the same direction.

In a general flow field, complete similarity between a model and prototype is

achieved only when there is geometric, kinematic, and dynamic similarity.
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 Kinematic Similarity

Velocity vectors at corresponding locations on

the model and prototype are similar

um
up vm
vp
up um

v p vm
 Dynamic Similarity

Forces at corresponding locations on

model and prototype are similar

Ftm
Ftp Fnm
Fnp
Ft p Ftm

Fn p Fnm
AEROSPACE
Established
nondimensional
parameters are usually
named after a notable
scientist or engineer. 21
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