Fluid MechanicsDimensional Analysis
Fluid MechanicsDimensional Analysis
Definition
FUNDAMENTAL DIMENSIONS
In fluid mechanics the fundamental or primary dimensions,
together with their SI units are:
• Mass M (kilogram, kg)
• Length L (metre, m)
• Time T (second, s)
• Temperature Θ (kelvin, K)
Additional dimensions
Geometry Area A L2
Volume V L3
Buckingham's Pi Theorem
• If a problem involves n physical variables(v1, v2, ....vn) and m
independent dimensions(M, L, T or F, L, T or such) then it can
be reduced to a relationship between n – m non-dimensional
parameters (Π1 , ..., Π n-m).
• In other words, the equation expressing the phenomenon as a
function of the physical variables
f(v1, v2, v3,......, vn) = 0
can be substituted by the following equation expressing it as a
function φ of a smaller number of non-dimensional groups:
φ(Π1 ,π2 ..., Π n-m ) = 0
This is called Buckingham’s Pi theorem.
Construction of non-
dimensional πs
These non-dimensional πs can be constructed as follows:
(i) Choose m dimensionally-distinct variables to act as scales. In
fluid mechanics it is common to choose a geometric quantity (e.g. a
length), a kinematic quantity (e.g. a velocity) and a property of the
fluid (e.g. density)
or select independent variables which do not form a π themselves
(ii) For each of the n – m remaining variable construct a
nondimensional of the form
Π = (variable)(scale1 )a (scale2 )b (scale3 )c .......
where a, b, c, ... are chosen so as to make each π non-dimensional. The
power of physical variables (a, b, c,...) in each π group are
determined algebraically by the condition that the powers of each
fundamental dimension must sum to zero.
Application
Example. Obtain an expression in non-dimensional form for the
pressure gradient(dp/dx) in a horizontal pipe with flow
velocity V, pipe diameter D, fluid density ρ, fluid viscosity µ
and pipe wall roughness e .
Solution: Step 1. Identify the physical variables.
dp/dx, ρ, V, D, e, µ
Step 2. Write down dimensions
[dp/dx] = ML-2T-2
[ρ] = ML-3
[ V] = LT-1
[D] = L
[e] = L
[µ] = ML-1T-1
Step 3. Find number of non-dimensional groups.
Number of physical variables n= 6
Number of fundamental dimensions m = 3 (M, L, T)
Number of non-dimensional groups(πs): n – m = 3
Step 4. Select dimensionally independent scaling variables(m =
3)
Such as geometric (D), velocity (V), fluid property(ρ).
Step 5. Create first pi group by combining (D,V, ρ) with dp/dx.
π1 = dp/dx Da Vb ρc
Taking the dimensions of both sides:
M0L0T0 =( ML-2T-2 ) (L)a (LT-1)b (ML-3)c
Equate powers of fundamental dimensions:
M: 0 = 1+ c
L: 0 = -2 + a + b – 3c
T: 0 = -2 – b
Solving algebraically to obtain a = 1, b = -2, c = -1
Types of Similarity
• Geometric Similarity (similar length scales): A model and
prototype are geometrically similar if and only if all body
dimensions in all three coordinates have the same linear-scale
ratios.
• Kinematic Similarity (similar length and time scales): The
motions of two systems are kinematically similar if
homologous (same relative position) particles lie at
homologous points at homologous times .
• Dynamic Similarity (similar length, time and force (or mass)
scales): in addition to the requirements for kinematic
similarity the model and prototype forces must be in a constant
ratio .
Example
Example. A prototype gate valve which will control the flow in a pipe
system conveying paraffin is to be studied in a model. Perform
dimensional analysis to obtain the relevant nondimensional groups.
A 1/5 scale model is built to determine the pressure drop across the
valve with water as the working fluid.
(a) For a particular opening, when the velocity of paraffin in the
prototype is 3.0 m s–1 what should be the velocity of water in the
model for dynamic similarity?
(b) What is the scale ratio of the quantity of flow?
(c) Find the pressure drop in the prototype if it is 60 kPa in the model.
(The density and viscosity of paraffin are 800 kg m –3 and 0.002 kg m–
1 –1
s respectively. Take the kinematic viscosity of water as 1.12x10 -6
m2s-1 ).
Solution
• The pressure drop is expected to depend upon the gate opening h,
the overall depth H, the velocity V, density ρ and viscosity µ .
• Required variables with their respective dimensions
[∆ p] = ML–1T–2
[h] = L
[H] = L
[V] = LT–1
[ρ ] = ML–3
[µ ] = ML–1T–1
Number of variables: n = 6.
Number of independent dimensions: m = 3 (M, L, T)
Number of non-dimensional groups: n – m = 3
Solution
Select scaling variables:
Geometric (H), velocity (V), fluid property (ρ).
Form dimensionless groups by non-dimensionalising the
remaining variables ∆p, h and µ .
π1 = ∆p Ha V b ρc , M0L0T0 =( ML-1T-2 ) (L)a (LT-1)b
(ML-3)c