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CE 150

MECH326
Fluid Mechanics(2)
S.A. Abushousha
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Omdurman Islamic University

2011 SEPTEMPER

Dimensional Analysis
and Modeling

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Objectives

Understand dimensions, units, and

dimensional homogeneity

Understand benefits of dimensional
analysis

Know how to use the method of repeating

variables
( )

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OUTLINE OF THE LECTURE

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 Introduction

Introduction
The solutions to most fluid mechanics
problems involving real fluids require
both analysis and experimental data
In this section, we look at the
techniques used in designing
experiments and correlating data
Specifically, we will learn how
laboratory experiments (or models)
can be used to describe similar
phenomena outside the laboratory

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Dimensional Analysis
Example
Consider an experiment that
investigates the pressure drop in an
incompressible Newtonian fluid
flowing through a long, smoothwalled circular pipe
Based upon our experience, the
pressure drop per unit length is
p
p f ( D, , ,V )

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p
) p f ( D, , ,V

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 ( )

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Dimensional Analysis
Example
To determine the nature of this
function, an experiment could be
designed which isolates and measures
the effect of each variable:

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Experimental Testing and

Incomplete Similarity

One of the most useful applications of

dimensional analysis is in designing physical
and/or numerical experiments, and in
reporting the results.
Setup of an experiment and correlation of
data.

Consider a problem with 5

parameters: one dependent and 4
independent.
Full test matrix with 5 data
points for each independent
parameter would require 54=625
experiments!!
If we can reduce to 2 's, the
number of independent
parameters is reduced from 4 to
1, which results in 51=5
experiments vs. 625!!

Dimensions and Units

Review

Dimension: Measure of a physical

quantity, e.g., length, time, mass

(m), (sec), (kg)
Units: Assignment of a number to a
dimension, e.g., (m), (sec), (kg)

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7 Primary Dimensions:
Mass

m
Length
L
Time
t
Temperature
T
5. Current
I
6. Amount of Light
C
7. Amount of matter
N
1.
2.
3.
4.

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(kg)
(m)
(sec)

(K)
(A)

(cd)

(mol)

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All non-primary dimensions can be

formed by a combination of the 7
primary dimensions
Examples
{Velocity} = / =
{Length/Time} = {L/t}
/ =
{Force} = {Mass Length/Time} =
{mL/t2}
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Dimensional
Homogeneity


Law of dimensional homogeneity
(DH): every additive term in an
equation must have the same
dimensions
:
Example: Bernoulli equation

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 {p} = {force/area}={mass x
length/time x 1/length2} =
{m/(t2L)}
{1/2V2} = {mass/length3 x
(length/time)2} = {m/(t2L)}
{gz} = {mass/length3 x
length/time2 x length}
={m/(t2L)}

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Given the law of DH, if we

divide each term in the equation by
a collection of variables and
constants that have the same
dimensions, the equation is
rendered non dimensional

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Methods of Dimensional
Analysis

There are many methods of
dimensional analysis.

Rayleighs Indicial method oldest
method


Buckingham p theorem most
famous method

L. M. Lye

DOE Course

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Hunsaker and Rightmires
method quick method

Matrix Method


All methods are absolutely
dependent on the correct
identification of all the factors
which govern the physical events
being analyzed.
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Rayleighs method
Consider a problem involving a scale
model test of a hydraulic machine.
The thrust force F, velocity v,
viscosity and density of the fluid
is given including a typical size of the
system, L, is also given.


V F
L

L. M. Lye

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 Two questions must be posed, namely:

How to analyze or plot the data in the most
informative way, and

How to relate the performance of the model
to that of the working prototype.

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Solution
Lets postulate that the force F
is related to the other given
quantities:

[1]

L. M. Lye

F = f [, v, , L]

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 The form of the function is

completely unknown, but it has
been proposed earlier that:

The function must be in the form of
a power product

There must be a dimensional
balance between both sides of the
equation

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 From [1], the equation maybe

rewritten as:
[2]

F = K [a ,vb ,c , Ld]

So obviously, for dimensional

homogeneity, the dimensions on the
LHS must equal those on the RHS.
Expressing each quantity in [2] in
terms of its dimensions,

MLT-2 = K[ (ML-3)a (LT-1)b (ML-1T-1)c
L d]
Equating the indices for M, L, and T,
M: 1 = a + c
L: 1 = -3a + b - c + d
T: -2 = -b - c or 2 = b + c

L. M. Lye

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 3

Thus we have 3 equations but 4
unknowns, so a complete
solution is not attainable.

We can only obtain a partial
solution.
c
Lets express all indices in terms
of say c.

L. M. Lye

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 a=1c
b=2c
d=2c
Substituting for a, b, and d
in[2]:
F = K [1-c v2-c c L2-c]

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 Or,

2
2

F K v L
vL

Since the function represents a

product, it may be restated as:

vL

F v L K

2 2

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 Or as:

vL

K
2 2
v L

F

Where: K and c are unknown and

must be obtained by
experimentation.
cK

L. M. Lye

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 Key points to note from the above

equation:

Two groups have emerged from the
analysis. If you check, it will be found that
both groups are dimensionless.


Dimensionless groups are independent of
units and of scale and are therefore
equally applicable to the model or to the
prototype

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/
Both groups represent ratios of
forces: thrust force/inertial force,
and inertial force/viscous force.

L. M. Lye

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 All three fundamental dimensions are

present. Therefore, if the model is to
truly represent the prototype, then
both model and prototype must
conform to the law of dynamic
similarity, i.e. the magnitude of each
dimensionless group must be the same
for the model as for the prototype.

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 The Raleigh indicial method is okay

as long as the number of variables is
small.

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Another example
The velocity of propagation of a
pressure wave through a liquid can
be expected to depend on the
elasticity of the liquid represented
by the bulk modulus K, and its mass
density r. Establish by D. A. the form
of the possible relationship.
Assume: u = C Ka b
U = velocity = L T-1, = M L-3, K = M
L-1 T-2
L T-1 = Ma L-a T-2a x Mb L-3b
M: 0 = a + b
L: 1 = -a 3b
T: -1 = - 2a

L. M. Lye

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 Therefore: a = , b = -, and a
possible equation is:

K
uC
Rayleighs method is not always so
straightforward. Consider the
situation of flow over a U-notched
weir.
Q = f(, , H, g)
[Q] = [C a b Hc gd]
[ ] =>
dimensions of

L. M. Lye

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 Using the M, L, T system,

[L3 T-1] = [ML-3]a [M L-1 T-1]b [L]c [L
T-2]d
M: 0 = a + b
(1)
L: 3 = -3a b +c + d
(2)
T: -1 = - b 2d
(3)

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We have only 3 equations, but

there are 4 unknowns. Need to
express a, b, c, in terms of d.
b = 1 2d
a = -b = 2d -1
c = 3 + 3a + b d = 1 + 3d
Q = C (2d-1) (1-2d) H(1+3d) g(d)

H H
C
2
2

L. M. Lye

or

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2 3

Q
H g
2
H
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Buckingham Pi Theorem

k

k r

If an equation involving k
variables is dimensionally
homogeneous, it can be reduced
to a relationship among k r
independent dimensionless
products,

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 where r is the minimum number

of reference dimensions required
to describe the variables.
For example, the function of G
can be written as ;

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G(1, 2, 3, ., k-r)=0
Or
1=G(2, 3, 4, ., k-r)=0
The dimensionless products are
frequently referred to as pi
terms, and the theorem is called
the Buckingham Pi Theorem.

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Buckingham used the symbol
to represent a dimensionless
product, and this notation is
commonly used.

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Comments on
Dimensional Analysis
Selection of variables

no simple procedure

requires understanding of the
phenomena and physical laws


variables can be categorized by geometry,
material properties, and external effects

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 To summarize, the steps to be

followed in performing a
dimensional analysis using the
method of repeating variables are
as follows :

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Determining the Pi
Terms

Method of Repeating Variables:

1) List all variables in the problem

2) Express each variable in terms of basic
dimensions

3) Determine the number of pi terms


4) Select a number of repeating variables that
equals the no. of reference dimensions

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Step 3 Determine the required

number of pi terms.

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 Step 4 Select a number of

repeating variables, where the
number required is equal to the
number of reference dimensions.
(usually the same as the number
of basic dimensions)

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Step 5 Form the pi term by

multiplying one of the non
repeating variables by the
product of repeating variables
each raised to an exponent that
will make the combination
dimensionless.

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 Step 6 Repeat step 5 for each of

the remaining non repeating
variables.

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 Step 7 Check all the resulting pi

terms to make sure they are
dimensionless.

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 Step 8 Express the final form as a

relationship among the pi terms
and think about what it means.

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 Basic dimensions

usually use MLT or FLT

all three not always required

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Comments on
Dimensional Analysis
Repeating variables


number must equal the no. of reference
dimensions


must include all basic dimensions
contained in variables

must be dimensionally independent of
each other

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 Pi terms



number of terms is unique but form
of each term is not unique, since
selection of repeating variables is
somewhat arbitrary (unless there is
only one pi term)

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Guidelines for choosing

Repeating parameters

Never pick the dependent variable. Otherwise, it may
appear in all the 's.

.1

 .1
Never pick parameters that are
already dimensionless.

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 .1

Never pick two parameters with the same
dimensions or with dimensions that differ
by only an exponent.

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.1

2. Pick common parameters since they may
appear in each of the 's.

1. Pick simple parameters over complex
parameters.

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Dimensionless Groups
in Fluid Mechanics
Common groups given in Table 7.1
Reynolds number
Froude number
Euler number
Mach number
Strouhal number
Weber number

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Correlation of
Experimental Data



Dimensional analysis and
experimental data can be
used together to determine
the specific relationship
between pi terms

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 Problems with one pi term:

1 C (constant)

relationship is determined by dimensional

analysis but constant must be determined
by experiment

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Nuclear Explosion Shock

Wave
The propagation of a
nuclear explosion shock
wave depends on: E, r, ,
and t.
r f (E, ,t)

n=4
No. of variables
r
=3
No. of dimensions
n r = 1 No. of dimensionless parameters

ML2 ML
-3
T-2

Select repeating variables:

E, t, and

Combine these with the rest

of the variables: r

p1 r ( E at b c )
M 0 L0T 0 ( L)( ML2T 2 ) a (T )b ( ML3 ) c
M:
0ac

c a
1
L:
0 1 2a 3c
a
5
2
T:
0 2 a b

b
5

p 1 RE 1 / 5t 2 / 5 1 / 5

R
E

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1/ 5 2 / 5

1 / 5

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F (p 1 ) 0
R
1/ 5 2 / 5

E t

1/ 5

p1 C
C

R C E1/ 5t 2 / 5 1/ 5

Et 2

RC

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1/ 5

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R = (E/)1/5 t2/5
log R = 0.4 log t +0.2 log(E/ )

0.2 log(E/ )1.

Blast Radius vs Time

3

log(R)

log R = 0.4058 log t + 1.5593

1kg/m3

E = 7.9x1013 J
= 19.8 kilotons
1
-2

-1

0
log (t)

Dimensional Analysis in
the Lab

Want to study pressure

drop as function of
velocity (V1) and
diameter (do)
Carry out numerous
experiments with
different values of V1
and do and plot the data

p1
p0

V1

V0
A0

A1

V1 d d
1 2

- M L LL
ML5 parameters:
1T-2
p, L
, V-3
, d ,T
d1

2 dimensionless
parameter groups:
P/(V2/2), (d1/do)
Much easier to establish functional relations with 2
parameters, than 5

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)HOME WORK NO (1

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(1 )15

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1. G.A. Kallio Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic
Engineering & Manufacturing TechnologyCalifornia State
University, Chico
2. Eric Paterson Penn State, University Park August 2005

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