Dimensional Analysis

17 February 2021

Book: Solving Problems in Fluid Mechanics, Volume 2, 3rd ed.,

J.F Douglas & R.D Matthews
Dimensional Analysis: Content

• Part 1: Is the equation mathematically plausible?

• Part 2: Equate Indices of fundamental quantities

• Part 3: Buckingham’s Pi theorem

Dimensional Analysis: Part 1
Is the equation mathematically plausible?
Dimensional analysis is a mathematical method that is of great importance in
problems that occur in fluid mechanics.

Primarily qualities are:

Length (L), Mass (M) and Time (T)

For example:
Force = mass x acceleration
= mass x length/time2
Therefore:
= MLT -2
Dimensional Analysis: Part 1
Note: Even if an equation does balance its dimensions, it may still be
meaningless.

Meaning, pure numbers (the coefficient of each term in an equation) have no

dimensions and are not accounted for by dimensional analysis.

For example: Show by dimensional analysis that the equation:

1
𝑝 + 𝜌𝑣 2 + 𝜌𝑔𝑧 = 𝐶
2

is a possible relationship between the pressure p, velocity v and height above the
datum line z for frictionless flow along a streamline of a fluid of mass density r, and
determine the dimensions of the constant C.
Dimensional Analysis: Part 1
Solution: If the equation represents a physical possible relationship each term must
have the same dimensions and therefore contain the same powers of the primary
quantities L, M and T.
The dimensions of the variables are:

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑥 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Pressure: 𝑝= = = 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠
Mass density: 𝜌= = 𝑀𝐿−3
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑥 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Velocity: 𝑣= = = 𝐿𝑇 −1
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
Dimensional Analysis: Part 1
Gravitational acceleration: 𝑔 = 𝐿𝑇 −2

Height above datum: 𝑧 = 𝐿 Remember !

1
The dimensions of each term on the left-hand side are: 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑣 2 + 𝜌𝑔𝑧 = 𝐶
2
1
𝑝 = 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 , 𝜌𝑣 2 = 𝑀𝐿−3 x 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 = 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 , 𝜌𝑔z = 𝑀𝐿−3 x 𝐿𝑇 −2 x 𝐿 = 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2
2

Thus all the terms have the same dimensions and the equation is physically possible if the constant
C, also has the dimensions 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 .

The constant of ½ in the second term is a pure number and thus not amenable to dimensional
analysis. Had this been any other values, the process would have been equally valid. Something in
addition to dimensional analysis is required to settle the fact that this constant is ½.
Dimensional Analysis: Part 1
1 2
𝑝 + 𝜌𝑣 + 𝜌𝑔𝑧 = 𝐶
2
Dimensional Analysis: Part 2
Equate Indices of fundamental quantities
Problem: The velocity of propagation a of a pressure wave through a liquid could be expected
to depend upon the elasticity of the liquid represented by the bulk modulus K and its mass
density r. Establish by dimensional analysis the form of a possible relationship.

Solution: Assume a simple exponential equation,

𝑎 = 𝐶𝐾 𝑎 𝜌𝑏 (eq.1)

Where: C is the numerical constant and a and b are the unknown powers.

The dimensions of the variables are: velocity 𝑎 = 𝐿𝑇 −1 , bulk modulus 𝐾 = 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 , mass density
𝜌 = 𝑀𝐿−3 .

If equation (1) is to be correct the powers of a and b must be such that both sides of the equation
contain the same powers of M, L and T. Rewrite equation (1) replacing each quantity by its
dimensions, remembering that the constant C is a pure number
Dimensional Analysis: Part 2
Equate Indices of fundamental quantities
𝐿𝑇 −1 = 𝑀𝑎 𝐿−𝑎 𝑇 −2𝑎 𝑥 𝑀𝑏 𝐿−3𝑏
Equation powers of M, L and T .
M: 0=𝑎+𝑏
L: 1 = −𝑎 − 3𝑏
T: -1 = −2𝑎
from which
1 1
a = + and b = −
2 2
Thus a possible equation is
𝐾
𝑎 =𝐶
𝜌

Dimensional analysis gives the form of a possible equation but the value of the constant C
would have to be determined experimentally.
Dimensional Analysis: Part 2
Case study
Dimensional Analysis: Part 2
Equate Indices of fundamental quantities
Dimensional Analysis: Part 2
Equate Indices of fundamental quantities

NB: This a Ulink submission assignment, 20 February 2021at 8:00.

Dimensional Analysis: Part 3
Buckingham’s Pi theorem

To Be
Continued