Dimensional Analysis

University of Benin
and
Similarity

Engr. Martin Osikhuemhe

 Introduction
 Compared to other engineering subjects, Fluid mechanics relies more on the use of empirical results built

from extensive research.

 The empirical data in some cases are in form of tables and charts which can be used directly, e.g friction

factor for pipe flow.

 These tables and charts can become bulky, clumsy and time consuming to handle.

 It is in the organization and presentation of experimental work that Dimensional Analysis comes into play.

 Using DA, the parameters likely to affect a system are combined into dimensionless groupings, thus

facilitating the testing and reducing the overall test ptogram.

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 Together with Similarity, they are associated with models and models testing techniques, which allows the

designer to predict accurately and economically the behavior of the prototype system.
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 Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
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 Dimension

 Various quantities used in fluid phenomenon are expressed in terms of fundamental or primary quantities.

 These fundamental quantities are Mass, Length and Time. Dimensions are M, L and T.

 Temperature also make the list with the dimension θ.

 Derived or secondary quantities are expressed in terms of the fundamental quantities. Examples are

Area, volume, density, etc

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 Dimension
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 Dimensions
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 Dimension

Dimensional quantities are grouped into :

 Geometric Quantities, where Length provides the basis of the quantities in the group

 Kinematic Quantities, Time is the basis for the dimensions in this group

 Dynamic Quantities, Newton’s 2nd law provides for the basis of derived dimensions, and

 Thermodynamic properties, where Temperature is the basis for definition.

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 Dimensions
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 Dimensional Reasoning and Homogeneity
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 Example 1
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 Example 1

Solution
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 Example 1

Solution
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 Example 1

Solution
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 Example 2
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 Example 2
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 Example 2
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 Example 2
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 Dimensions for derivatives and Integrals
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 Dimensions for derivatives and Integrals
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 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
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 (i) Rayleigh’s Indicial Method of Dimensional Analysis
The indical method uses the indices of the variables to determine their dimensional properties
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 Example 1

Solution
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 Example 1

Solution
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 Example 2

Solution
The mathematical relationship is defined mathematically as:
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Uniben The mathematical relationship is defined mathematically as:

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Uniben The mathematical relationship is defined mathematically as:

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 Buckingham’s Pi’s Theorem
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 Steps for solving the Buckingham Pi-Method

The steps involved in this method include:

1. List the variables considered to be significant and form a matrix with their dimensions (optional)
2. Then determine the number of dimensionless groups into which these variables can be combined. This
is obtained from the expression n − m,
where ′n′ is the number of variables and ′m′ is the number of dimensions
3. Combine the repeating variables with the remaining independent variables to form the required
number of group.
4. A variable that is considered to be of minor significance will as a result of the points considered above
only appear in one group. The influence of this group will be negligible if this variable is truly
inconsequential.
5. There are no right or wrong answers in dimensional analysis. Some answers are only more useful than
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others.

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 Rules for Repeating Variables
 The repeating variables must include all the dimensions taken to describe the system or
phenomenon. Usually the fundamental dimensions are𝑀, 𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇. If only 2 of the dimensions are
involved, however, there will be 2 repeating variables and they must contain together the 2
dimensions involved.

 The repeating variables must not form the non-dimensional parameter.

 Dependent variable should not be selected as repeating variables.

 No 2 repeating variables should have the same dimensions

 The repeating variables should be chosen with some regard for the practicality of any experimental
investigation, they should be easily measured or set by the investigator. Also, where the result of the
dimensional analysis are to be the basis for a later design methodology, the repeating variable
should be of prime interest to the designer. For example, it is more sensible to define pipe type in
terms of pipe diameter than surface roughness as a repeating parameter, and density is perhaps
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better than viscosity as a descriptor of fluid type.

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 Rules for Repeating Variables

 The repeating variables should be chosen in such a way that one variable contains

 Geometric property (e.g. length, l; diameter, d; height, H etc.),

 Flow property (e.g. velocity, V; acceleration, a etc.)
 The third variable contains fluid property (e.g. mass density, ρ; weight density, w dynamic viscosity,
µ etc.).
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 Rules for Repeating Variables

It should be noted that for the Buckingham Pi-method, the following rules applies for equation of the
form:
∅ 𝜋1 , 𝜋2 , 𝜋3 … … . . , 𝜋𝑛−1 = 0

 Any number of dimensionless groups may be combined by multiplication or division to form a new
𝜋
valid group. Thus π1 and π2 may be combined to form 𝜋′1 = 𝜋1 , and the defining equation becomes
2
∅ 𝜋1 , 𝜋2 , 𝜋3 … … . . , 𝜋𝑛−1 = 0

 The reciprocal of any dimensional group remains valid. An example of this will be met in the later
treatment of fans and pumps where a reciprocal form of the Reynolds number will be recognizable.

 Any dimensional group may be raised to any power and remain valid.

 Any dimensional group may be multiplied by a constant and remain valid. This is useful in relating a
particular group to an easily measured quantity, e.g. pressure coefficients.
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 Example 1
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 Example 1

Here, the drag force,F is a function of:

Diameter, D, velocity, V, density, ρ, and dynamic viscosity, μ

Mathematically, this is written as: F = f D, V, ρ, μ

This can also be written as f(F, D, V, ρ, μ) = 0

Thus,total number of variable , = n = 5.

To get the number of dimensions in this phenomenon, we have to write out the dimensions for each
variable, i.e.
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F = MLT −2 , D = L , V = LT −1 , ρ = ML−3 , and μ = ML−1 T −1

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 Example 1
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 Example 1

The fundamental dimension; m=3 (M, L, and T)

The number of pi- groups, 𝜋 = 𝑛 − 𝑚 = 5 - 3

𝜋=2

The equation can thus be written as 𝑓 𝜋1 , 𝜋2

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 Example 1

Repeating variables.

Since m = 3, it means 3 variables can be selected as repeating variables

F cannot be selected as a repeating variable because it is a dependent variable. For the remaining 4, we are
guided in picking the variables such that one should:

Geometric Property----------- D (L)

Flow Property-------------------V (LT −1)

Fluid Property------------------ρ(ML−3 )
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 Each of the π − term , can be written as follows:

𝜋1 = 𝐷 𝑎1 . 𝑉𝑏1 . 𝜌.𝑐1 . 𝐹

𝜋2 = 𝐷𝑎2 . 𝑉𝑏2 . 𝜌.𝑐2 . 𝜇

Using the principle of dimensional homogeneity, the π − terms can be resolved as follows:

For the first one,

𝜋1 = 𝐷 𝑎1 . 𝑉𝑏1 . 𝜌.𝑐1 . 𝐹

πi = Lai ∗ (LT −1 )bi ∗ ML−3 ci ∗ M1 L1 T −2

πi = M 0 L0 T 0 = Lai ∗ (LT −1 )bi ∗ ML−3 ci ∗ M1 L1 T −2

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 Equating the exponents of M, L and T, we get,

For M: 0 = 𝑐1 + 1 = 0, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐1 = −1 …………. 𝑖

For L: 0 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏1 − 3𝑐1 + 1 = 0, … …….. 𝑖𝑖

For T: 0 = −𝑏1 − 2 = 0, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏1 = −2

substitute known values into equation ii , get

a1 + −2 − 3 −1 = −1, where a1 = −2
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 Therefore,

−2 −2 −1
F
π1 = D . V . ρ. .F =
ρD2 V 2

Similarly,

π2 = Da2 . V b2 . ρ.c2 . μ

π2 = La2 ∗ (LT −1 )b2 ∗ ML−3 c2 ∗ M1 L−1 T −1

π2 = M 0 L0 T 0 = La2 ∗ (LT −1 )b2 ∗ ML−3 c2

∗ M1 L−1 T −1
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 For M: 0 = 𝑐2 + 1 = 0, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐2 = −1 …………. 𝑖𝑣

For L: 0 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 − 3𝑐2 − 1 = 0, … …….. 𝑣

For T: 0 = −𝑏2 − 1 = 0, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏1 = −1 ………. 𝑣𝑖

substitute known values into equation v , get

a2 + −1 − 3 −1 = 1, where a2 = −1
Therefore,

μ
π2 = D−1 . V −1 . ρ.−1 . μ =
ρDV
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 f(π1 , π2 ) = 0

F μ
f ,
ρD2 V 2 ρDV

μ
F = ρv 2 D2 Φ(ρVD)
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 Example 2
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 Example 2

Solution
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 Similitude
In fluid mechanics and hydraulic engineering, a model is sometimes produced to easily describe the behavior
of a too big or a too small prototype. In building such model, there must be three similarities:
Geometric Similarity
Kinematic Similarity
Dynamic Similarity

Geometric Similarity
For the model and the prototype to be geometrically similar, the ratio of the lengths of all sides must be the
same. Also, the included angles must be the same.
If Lm, Dm, and Hm are Length, Diameter, and Height respectively of a model. If Lp, Dp, and Hp are Length,
Diameter, and Height respectively of its prototype. Then;
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 2. A ship whose hull length is 140m is to travel at 7.6m/s
(a) Compute the Froude number Fr.
(b) For dynamic similarity, at what velocity should a 1:30 model be towed through water?
Given: Velocity, V = 7.6m/s; Length, L = 140m
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