ME 323 (Toufique) - Jan 2023-Lec-13

ME 323: FLUID MECHANICS-II
Dr. A.B.M. Toufique Hasan

Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), Dhaka
Lecture-13
11/09/2023
Dimensional Analysis,
Similitude and Modeling
toufiquehasan.buet.ac.bd
toufiquehasan@me.buet.ac.bd
© Dr. A.B.M. Toufique Hasan (BUET) L-3 T-2, Dept. of ME ME 323: Fluid Mechanics-II (Jan 2023) 1
Vp
Lp
Lm
Wind tunnel test of urban city consists of several

high-rise buildings (scaled/model)
It is common to study the expected behavior of the planned system (called the prototype) by
constructing a laboratory-scale model of the prototype and inferring the behavior of the
prototype from observations on the model.
The model can be smaller or larger than the prototype, although smaller-scale models are
more common.
Smaller-scale physical models are typically used to study the performance of fluid-driven
machinery such as hydraulic turbines and pumps; the performance of large structures such
as aircraft, ships, spillways of large dams, and buildings; and processes such as the action
of waves and tides on beaches, soil erosion, and sediment transport.
In building applications, small-scale models are used particularly for studying the effects of
wind loads on tall buildings and the airflow patterns generated by the construction of new
buildings.
Larger-scale models are used to study the performance of small structures such as
biomedical devices, injection nozzles, and carburetors.
Theory of Modeling / Theory of Similarity
A fundamental question in interpreting data measured in models is how the magnitudes of
various parameters in a model (m) are related to the magnitudes of the same parameters in the
prototype (p). The answer to this question is derived from a dimensional analysis of the flow
system, the results of which can generally be written in the form:
1  f ( 2 ,  3 ,  4 , ... ... ... ...,  N )

where Π1 is a dimensionless group containing the variables of interest, and Π2, Π3, … …, ΠN are
dimensionless groups containing other variables that affect the variables of interest.
If the model is constructed and operated such that Π2, Π3, … …, ΠN are the same in both the
model and prototype, then Π1 also must be the same in both the model and prototype.
Therefore, by measuring Π1 in the model, the parameter of interest in the prototype can be
inferred from the relation:
1 p  1 m
because
 2 p   2 m ;  3 p   3 m ; ... ... ... ... ... and  N p   N m
Theory of Modeling / Theory of Similarity
 2 p   2 m ;  3 p   3 m ; ... ... ... ... ... and  N p   N m
The above relations are called the modeling laws or similarity requirements.
In the course of meeting the above similarity requirements, the model and prototype must
necessarily be geometrically, kinematically, and dynamically similar.
Geometric Similarity
Geometric similarity concerns the length dimension and must be ensured before any
sensible model testing can proceed. A formal definition is as follows:
A model and prototype are geometrically similar if and only if all body dimensions
in all three coordinates have the same linear scale ratio.
1:10 model
Kinematic Similarity
Kinematic similarity requires that the model and prototype have the same length scale ratio
and the same time scale ratio. The result is that the velocity scale ratio will be the same for
both. In formal words:
The motions of two systems are kinematically similar if homologous particles lie
at homologous points at homologous times.
Dynamic Similarity
Dynamic similarity exists when the model and the prototype have the same length scale
ratio, time scale ratio, and force scale ratio. Therefore, dynamic similarity is achieved when
 FI  F 
    I 
 Fi  p  Fi  m
where Fi the ith force on a fluid element (viscous force, gravitational force, surface tension
force, elastic force, etc.) and FI is the inertial force of the fluid element.
As a result, following similarity needs to be achieved,
 VL   VL 
     i.e. Rep  Rem
  p   m
 V   
    V  i.e. Fr p  Fr m
 gL   gL 
 p  m
Problem
Vortex shedding
The vortex shedding frequency for the water tunnel testing is

found to be 49.9 Hz.
Solution:
Problem
Solution:
Problem
The capillary rise of a fluid along the walls of the tube causes the fluid to rise a distance h. This
effect depends upon the diameter of the tube, the surface tension, the density of the fluid, and
the gravitational acceleration g. Show how to obtain the two Π terms.
If an experiment is performed using water at a temperature of 20°C, and the surface tension is
σ = 73.6 mN/m, the following data is obtained of the height h versus the diameter d of the tube.
Use the data and plot the relationship between the two Π terms.
h (mm) d (mm)
30.06 0.5
15.03 1.0
10.02 1.5
7.52 2.0
6.01 2.5
5.01 3.0
Solution:
Take ρ, d & g as repeating variables.

 h 
1  , 2 
d g
2
d d 2 g
Problem
When an underwater explosion occurs, the pressure p of the shock wave at any instant is a
function of the mass of the explosive m, the initial pressure p0 formed by the explosion, the
spherical radius r of the shock wave, and the density ρ and the bulk modulus B of the water.
Determine the relation between p and these parameters.
Solution:
Take p0, m & r as repeating variables.
p  r 3 B 
 f  , 
p0  m p0 
 r 3 B 
 p  p0 f  , 
 m p0 
Problem
The diameter D of oil spots made on a sheet of porous paper depends upon the diameter d of
the squirting nozzle, the height h of the nozzle from the surface, the velocity V of the oil, and its
density ρ, viscosity μ, and surface tension σ. Determine the dimensionless ratios that define
this process.
Solution:
Take ρ, V, and h are as repeating variables.
D  d
 f  Re, We, 
h  h

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ME 323: FLUID MECHANICS-II

Dr. A.B.M. Toufique Hasan

Wind tunnel test of urban city consists of several

1  f ( 2 ,  3 ,  4 , ... ... ... ...,  N )

 2 p   2 m ;  3 p   3 m ; ... ... ... ... ... and  N p   N m

As a result, following similarity needs to be achieved,

The vortex shedding frequency for the water tunnel testing is

Take ρ, d & g as repeating variables.

Take p0, m & r as repeating variables.

Take ρ, V, and h are as repeating variables.

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