Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering; Mechatronics Program
Lecturer: Dr. O. Nemraoui
FLM360S, Tutorial_1
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Problem:1. A liquid of density and Ans: h/D = (s/(gD2), )
viscosity flows by gravity through a hole of
diameter d in the bottom of a tank of diameter D
(see Fig. below). At the start of the experiment,
the liquid surface is at
height h above the
bottom of the tank, as
sketched. The liquid exits
the tank as a jet with
average velocity V
straight down as also
sketched. Using
dimensional analysis, generate a dimensionless
relationship for V as a function of the other
parameters in the problem. Problem 3 It is known that the pressure
Identify any established non-dimensional developed by a centrifugal pump, p, is a
parameters that appear in your result. (Hint: function of the diameter D of the impeller, the
There are three length scales in this problem. speed of rotation n, the discharge Q, and the
For consistency, choose h as your length scale fluid density . By dimensional analysis,
eg. Repeating var.)
determine the p-groups relating these variables.
Ans: (gh/v2,h/d,h/D,u/(hV)=0
Ans: Q/(nD3) = (P/(nD2))
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1-2. Repeat Prob. 1 except for a different
Problem 4 Water flows through a 2cm
dependent parameter, namely, the time required
diameter pipe at 1.6m/s. Calculate the Reynolds
to empty the tank tempty. Generate a
number and find also the velocity required to give
dimensionless relationship for tempty as a function
the same Reynolds number when the pipe is
of the following independent parameters: hole
transporting air.
diameter d, tank diameter D, density ,
(b) Assuming the pressure loss along a pipe, p,
viscosity initial liquid surface height h, and
can be expressed in terms of the following fluid
gravitational acceleration g.
density ρ, kinematic viscosity ν, diameter d
Ans: tempty.v/h = (gh/v2,h/d,h/D,u/(hv)
and velocity u.
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1-3. Liquid flows out of a hole in the bottom of
Show that the pressure loss can be expressed
a tank as in Fig. 1–1. Consider the case in which
as: p = ρu2φ(Re)
the hole is very small compared to the tank (d <<
D). Experiments reveal that average jet velocity Hence find the ratio of pressure drops in the
same length of pipe for both cases. You will need
V is nearly independent of d, D, , or . In
to use these physical properties:
fact, for a wide range of these parameters, it
Variable Water air
turns out that V depends only on liquid surface
height h and gravitational acceleration g. If the 1000 kg/m3 1.2kg/m3
−6 m2/s 15.1×10−6 m2/s
liquid surface height is doubled, all else being ν 1.31×10
equal, by what factor will the average jet velocity
increase? Answer: sqr(2) (c) Assuming the drag force, F, exerted on a
body is a function of the following: fluid density ,
Problem 2 When a capillary tube of small fluid viscosity , diameter d, and velocity u
diameter D is inserted into a container of liquid, Show that the drag force can be expressed as
the liquid rises to height h inside the tube (Fig. 1- F = d2u2r f(Re) where f is some unknown
5). h is a function of liquid density , tube function and Re is the Reynolds number.
diameter D, gravitational constant g, contact (d) It is necessary to predict the force on a
angle , and the surface tension ss of the liquid. stationary sphere of diameter 0.1m in a flow of
(a) Generate a dimensionless relationship for h water travelling at 5 m/s. In the laboratory a 1.0
as a function of the given parameters. m diameter sphere is placed in a wind tunnel
1
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering; Mechatronics Program
Lecturer: Dr. O. Nemraoui
FLM360S, Tutorial_1
*****************************************************************************************************
blowing air. To obtain the dynamically similar parameters. Express your answer in the form
conditions at what velocity should this flow of air h/R = (Fr) where Fr is Froud number= V/(R.g)0.5,
operate?
(e) In the wind tunnel the 1.0m diameter
sphere experiences a force of 14 200 N. What
force would you expect on the 0.1m diameter
sphere when in water flowing at 5m/s?
Ans: a) Rewater=2.44E4,Reair=2120; b)Pw/Pa=833
d) 5.76m/s; e) 89166N
Problem 5 The drag force FD of a blunt body is
a function of the projected frontal area of the
body A, the speed V of the body, the viscosity of
the fluid m, and the density of the fluid , the
functional relationship is FD=f(A, V, , ) By
dimensional analysis find the dimensionless
groups.
The aerodynamic drag of a new sports car is to
be predicted at a speed of 80.5 km/h at an air
temperature of 25°C. Automotive engineers build V is the linear speed of the rim. Show all your
a one fifth scale model of the car to test in a wind work.
tunnel. It is winter and the wind tunnel is located Part II: Now consider the case in which the
in an unheated building; the temperature of the container and liquid are initially at rest. At t = 0
wind tunnel air is only about 5°C. Determine how the container begins to rotate. It takes some time
fast the engineers should run the wind tunnel in for the liquid to rotate as a rigid body, and we
order to achieve similarity between the model expect that the liquid’s viscosity is an additional
and the prototype. relevant parameter in the unsteady problem.
Suppose the engineers run the wind tunnel at the Repeat the dimensional analysis as in part 1
above calculated speed to achieve similarity but with two additional independent parameters
between the model and the prototype. The included, namely, fluid viscosity m and time t.
aerodynamic drag force on the model car is (We are interested in the development of height
measured with a drag balance. Several drag h as a function of time and the other
readings are recorded, and the average drag parameters.). Ans: h/R=(t.,Fr,Re)
force on the model is 94.30 N. Predict the
aerodynamic drag force on the prototype (at 80.5
Problem 7 A periodic Kármán vortex street is
km/h and 25°C). You will need to use these
formed when a uniform stream flows over a
physical properties of air:
circular cylinder. Use the method of repeating
Temperature variables to generate a dimensionless
5 oC 1.27 kg/m3 1.75x10-5 Pa.s relationship for Kármán vortex shedding
25 oC 1.18 kg/m3 1.85x10-5 Pa.s frequency fk as a function of free-stream speed
Ans: FD/(AV2r)=f(Re); 353km/h; 109N V, fluid density , fluid viscosity , and
cylinder diameter D. Show all your work.
Problem 6 Part I: Consider a liquid in a
cylindrical container in which both the container
and the liquid are rotating as a rigid body (solid-
body rotation). The elevation difference h
between the center of the liquid surface and the
rim of the liquid surface is a function of angular Ans: fk.D/V = (Re)
velocity w, fluid density , gravitational
acceleration g, and radius R (see fig below). Use Problem 8 The power P [W] generated by a
the method of repeating variables to find a certain windmill design depends on its diameter
dimensionless relationship between the D[m], the air density ρ[kg/m3], the wind
velocity V[m/s], the rotation rate ω[rad/s],
2
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering; Mechatronics Program
Lecturer: Dr. O. Nemraoui
FLM360S, Tutorial_1
*****************************************************************************************************
and the number of blades n. (n has no
dimension)
(a) Write this relationship in dimensionless
form.
A model windmill, of diameter 50 cm, develops
2.7 kW at sea level when V = 40 m/s and when
rotating at 4800 r/min.
(b) What power will be developed by a
geometrically and dynamically similar prototype,
of diameter 5 m, in winds of 12 m/s at 2000 m
standard altitude? (Hint: density changes with
altitude find out in the internet)
(c) What is the appropriate rotation speed of
the prototype?
Ans: a) P/(.w3.D5) = (V/(D.), n);
b) Pprototype=5.98 kW; c) prototype=144 rpm
