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Hydraulic Similitude and Model Studies
Hydraulic Similitude and Model Studies
Model Studies
A method used for using the results of experiments
conducted on a scaled model to predict quantitatively the
flow behaviour in a full size hydraulic structure
(prototype).
Ratio of times, Tp
= Tr
Tm
Velocity ratio, vp Lp / Tp
Lr
= = = v r = constant
v m Lm / Tm Tr
Geometric and Kinematic
Similarity
Geometric similarity is not enough to ensure that the flow
patterns are similar in both model and prototype.
ap v p / Tp vr
Acceleration, ar
am v m / Tm Tr
Discharge, Qp Vp / Tp Lp3 Tm L r 3
= = x =
Qm Vm / Tm Lm3 Tp Tr
Dynamic Similarity
Implies similarity in forces involved in motion
Attained if the ratio of forces in model and model is kept
at constant value.
Fp 4 2
Force ratio, Fr r r Tr
L
Fm
Work ratio, 5 2
Wr Fr x L r r r Tr
L
Power ratio,
Fr x L r
Pr = = r L r 5Tr 3
Tr
Dynamic Similarity
Fluid system involves several kinds of forces such as forces
due to
Gravity
Viscosity
Elasticity
Surface tension
Pressure
pLp vp mLm vm
p m
r Lr vr
1
r
1
if p m and p m then v r Lr
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Gravity Force
4 2
Inertial force ratio r r Tr
L vr 2
3
Fr
Gravity Force ratio r Lr gr Lr g r
2 2 2
vp vm vr
or 1
L pg p Lmg m Lr g r
4 2 2
Inertial force ratio r Lr Tr r vr
2
E
Pr essure Force ratio Pr L r Pr
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Pressure Force
2 2
v
p p v
m m
Pp Pm
2
v
r r
1
Pr
If p m then r 1
vr Pr1 / 2
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Surface Tension
4 2 2
Inertial force ratio r r Tr
L L v
r r r
Wr
Surf . T Force ratio r Lr r
Frp Frm
vp2 vm2
gp yp gm ym
1/ 2
vp yp
vr h r1 / 2
vm ym
Distorted Model
A distorted model is a physical model in which the
horizontal and vertical scales are different.
Frp Frm
2 2
vp vm
gp yp gm ym
1/ 2
vp yp
vr h r1 / 2
vm ym
The velocity is related to vertical scale
Distorted Model
Discharge ratio,
1/ 2 3/ 2
Q vA hr (L r h r ) Lr h r
Manning ratio,
1 2 / 3 1/ 2
vr R r Sr For very wide and shallow river
nr R y. Rr = yr = hr
1/ 2
1/ 2 1 2/3 hr
hr hr
nr Lr
nr h r 2 / 3L r 1/ 2
SUMMARY
In practice, most hydraulic models are scaled with either
Froude or Reynolds number.