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Fluid Mechanics I Problem Set Guide

This document contains a recommended problem set for a Fluid Mechanics course, focusing on dynamic similarity and drag forces in various scenarios. It includes problems related to scale modeling of vehicles, drag force calculations for different objects, and deriving dimensionless functions from given relationships. The problems require applying fluid mechanics principles to real-world situations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying concepts without relying on solutions.

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Maia Paula Gonzalez
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50 views2 pages

Fluid Mechanics I Problem Set Guide

This document contains a recommended problem set for a Fluid Mechanics course, focusing on dynamic similarity and drag forces in various scenarios. It includes problems related to scale modeling of vehicles, drag force calculations for different objects, and deriving dimensionless functions from given relationships. The problems require applying fluid mechanics principles to real-world situations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying concepts without relying on solutions.

Uploaded by

Maia Paula Gonzalez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Last Updated: Nov.

2021

MEC516/BME516
Fluid Mechanics I
Chapter 5
Recommended Problem Set

I strongly recommended that you work through the details of these problems, with pen and paper. Be sure
that you can solve these problems without looking at the solutions.
1. A prototype automobile is designed for cold weather in Denver, Colorado (-10°C, patm=83 kPa). Its drag
force is to be tested with a one-fifth (1/5th) scale model in a wind tunnel at 𝑉𝑉𝑚𝑚 =160 mi/h located at sea
level, patm=1 atm, 20oC. If model and prototype satisfy dynamic similarity, what is the corresponding
prototype velocity 𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝 ?

2. When tested in a water tunnel at 20°C flowing at 2.0 m/s, an 8.0 cm diameter sphere has a measured
drag force of 5.0 N. What will be the velocity and drag force on a 1.5 m diameter weather balloon
moored in sea-level (1 atm) air at 20oC under dynamically similar conditions?

3. The wall shear stress τw in a turbulent boundary layer is a function of stream velocity U, boundary layer
thickness δ, local turbulence velocity fluctuation u', the fluid density ρ, and local pressure gradient
dp/dx:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝜏𝜏𝑤𝑤 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑈𝑈, 𝛿𝛿 𝑢𝑢′ , 𝜌𝜌, )
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Using ρ, U, δ as repeating variables, rewrite this relationship as a dimensionless function.

4. The thrust F of a propeller is a function of its diameter D and angular velocity Ω, the forward speed V,
and the density ρ and viscosity μ of the fluid.

𝐹𝐹 = 𝑓𝑓(𝐷𝐷, 𝛺𝛺, 𝑉𝑉, 𝜌𝜌, 𝜇𝜇)

Rewrite this relationship as a dimensionless function. Use ρ, V, D as the repeating variables.

5. The wave drag (𝐹𝐹𝐷𝐷 ) on the hull of a ship depends upon the velocity of the ship (𝑉𝑉), the length of the
ship’s hull (ℓ), the density of the fluid (ρ) and the acceleration due to gravity (𝑔𝑔). The effect of
viscosity can be neglected. (This problem is from the Fall 2018 final exam.)
(a) Use the Method of Repeating Variables to show that the dimensionless parameters for this problem
can be expressed as:
𝐹𝐹𝐷𝐷 𝑉𝑉 2
= 𝑓𝑓 � �
𝜌𝜌 𝑉𝑉 2 ℓ2 ℓ 𝑔𝑔

If you need 1 repeating variable use V. If you need 2 repeating variables use V and ℓ. If you need 3
repeating variables use V, ℓ and ρ.

(b) The drag force on the model ship is measured to be FD,m=14 N when it is towed in a water tank at a
speed of 1.5 m/s. The model scale is 1:50 (the model fifty times smaller than the prototype). For
dynamically similar flow conditions, calculate the drag force on the full-scale prototype ship in kN.
Both the model and prototype operate in fresh water at the same density.
6. A cylindrical support strut on a sign board has an external diameter of 5.5 cm. In a winter storm (-40oC)
the wind blows at 35 m/s. Estimate the force per unit length on the strut produced by this crossflow of
air.

Want more solved problems? Some past exam problems with full solutions are posted on D2L.

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