CHAPTER 5: DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

• In real-life engineering, before computer simulation was possible, information were

obtained through experimentation.

• In most experiments, to save time and money, tests are performed on geometrically
scaled models, rather than on the full-scale prototype.

• To ensure that the results obtained using these scaled models are as precise as using a
full prototype model, a powerful technique called dimensional analysis was introduced.

• Primary purpose of dimensional analysis:

I. Generate non-dimensional parameters that help in the design of experiments and in

the reporting of experimental results.

II. Obtain scaling laws so that prototype performance can be predicted from model
performance.

III. Predict trends in the relationship between parameters.

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5.1 Dimensions and Units

• A dimension is a measure of a physical quantity (without numerical values).

Example: length, mass, time, temperature, electric current.
• While a unit is a way to assign to a number to that dimension.
Example: meter (m), kilogram (kg), seconds (s), kelvin (K), ampere (A).
• There are seven primary dimensions (basic dimensions) which are commonly used

• Off these seven primary dimensions, main focus will be only on mass, length, and time.
Because most physical properties can be generated with various combinations of mass,
length, and time.

• These dimensions will be identified as below:

Mass = M or m
Length = L
Time = T or t
Example: Force, Pressure, area, viscosity

• During dimensional analysis, you must be able to represent these physical properties in terms of
M, L, and T.

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Example:

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5.2 Dimensional homogeneity

• When doing dimensional analysis, we must follow the law of dimensional homogeneity,
which states that:
“Every additive term in an equation must have the same dimensions”
• In simple terms:

• Example of dimensional homogeneity can be seen in the Bernoulli’s equation.

Where:

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5.3 Determination of Dimensionless Parameters

• Previously it was mentioned that one of the primary purposes of dimens ional analysis is
to generate dimensionless parameters.
• Dimensional parameters are combined sets of parameters which includes dimensional
variables, non-dimensional variables, and dimensional constants.

Where;
1. Dimensional variables – dimensional quantities that change or vary in the problem
(i.e. length, and time)
2. Non-dimensional variables – quantities that change or vary in the problem but have
no dimensions (i.e. angle of rotation)
3. Dimensional constants – quantities that have dimension but remains constant in the
problem (i.e. gravitational acceleration)

• During dimensional analysis, a dimensionless parameter is represented using uppercase

Greek letter Pi (П).
• In a general dimensional analysis problem, there is one П that we call the dependent П,
giving it the notation П1.
• The parameter П1 is in general a function of several other П’s, which we call
independent П’s. The function relationship is:

• Some of the common established non-dimensional parameters П’s encountered in fluid

mechanics and heat transfer are as below.
• Common established dimensionless parameters П’s encountered in fluid mechanics and
heat transfer are shown in appendix section.
• The most popular method used to generate the dimensionless parameters is called the
method or repeating variables and the Buckingham PI Theorem.

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5.4 The Method of Repeating Variables and The Buckingham Pi Theorem

• How to generate the nondimensional parameters, i.e., the π’s?

• There are several methods that have been developed for this purpose, but the most
popular (and simplest) method is the method of repeating variables.

• Buckingham PI Theorem is equation to determine number of nondimensional

parameters (PI’s) in Method of Repeating Variables.

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Method of Repeating Variables

This method allows us to systematically form the pi terms so that we are sure that they are
dimensionless and independent and that we have the right number.
 Step 1

List all the variables that are involved in the problem

Typically the variables will include those that are necessary to describe the geometry of
the system (such as pipe diameter), to define any fluid properties (such as fluid viscosity,
velocity, density) and to indicate external effects that influence the system (such as
driving pressure)

Since we wish to keep the number of variables to a minimum, so that we minimize the
amount of laboratory work, it is important that all variables be independent.

 Step 2

Express each of the variables in terms of basic dimensions

For the fluid mechanics problem the basic dimensions will be either m, L and t or F, L
and t. The basic dimensions for typical variables found in fluid mechanics problems are
listed in table.

 Step 3

Determine the required number of pi terms

This can be accomplished by means of the Buckingham pi theorem, which indicates that
the number of pi terms is equal to k= n-j, where n is the number of variables in the
problem and j is the number of reference dimensions required to describe these
variables.

(j = number of basic dimensions)

• Step 4

Select a number of repeating variables.

The number required is equal to the number of reference dimensions.

(No. repeating variables = j)

Refer to table Guidelines for Choosing Repeating Variables.

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  Step 5

Form a pi term by multiplying one of the non-repeating variables by the product of the
repeating variables

Repeat step 5 for each of the remaining non-repeating variables.

 Step 6

Express the final form as a relationship among the pi terms and think about what it
means (Check the π’s as necessary to achieve established dimensionless groups)

Typically the final form can be written as

π₁ = φ(π₂, π₃, ……., πn-j )

Guidelines for Choosing Repeating Variables

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EXAMPLE 1

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EXAMPLE 2

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JAN 2018

JUN 2018

15
MARCH 2017

16
SEPT 2011

OCT 2012

17
MARCH 2016

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APR 2011

MARCH 2014

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SEPT 2015

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MARCH 2015

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