MME 303: Fluid Mechanics and Machinery

Dimensional Emotions are nothing

Analysis but fluid mechanics,
every inch of your
heart is feeling
pressure.
~ Praveen

Dr Praveen Kr Sharma
Department of Mechanical and
Mechatronics Engineering
Dimensional Analysis
It is method to obtain or develop
1.Functional relationship ⇒ 𝑒𝑔. 𝑇𝛼 𝐿/𝑔
2.Modelling and similitude ⇒ State of being similar to
something.

-> Very helpful in theoretical research (obtaining the desired

variable from influencing parameter) and experimental study
of full scale body from a prototype.
Dimensional Analysis
Important notes
1. There are seven fundamental dimensions
(L,M,T,𝜃,A,C,N) Moles

Amount of light, Luminous intensity - candela (cd)

2. Unit may or may not represent a dimension.

Ex: meter -> length ;
radian does not represent dimension
Dimensional Analysis
It is method to obtain or develop
1.Functional relationship ⇒ 𝑒𝑔. 𝑇𝛼 𝐿/𝑔
Two methods
A. Rayleigh Method
B. Buckingham 𝜋 Theorem
A. Rayleigh Method
It is used when number of variables in a relationship are less.
Ex. Find the relationship between the pressure drop in a laminar
flow through circular pipe is function of pipe length L, Diameter D,
velocity v and viscosity 𝜇
A. Rayleigh Method

⇒ Δ𝑃 = 𝑓(𝐷, 𝐿, 𝑉, 𝜇)

Variables Dimensions

𝑁 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝑘𝑔
1.Δ𝑃 𝑃𝑎 = = × = = [𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 ]
𝑚2 𝑚2 𝑠2 𝑚−𝑠 2
2.D L
3.L L
𝑚
4.V = [𝐿𝑇 −1 ]
𝑠
5. 𝜇 𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐=[M 𝐿−1 𝑇 −1 ]
A. Rayleigh Method

⇒ Δ𝑃 = 𝑓(𝐷, 𝐿, 𝑉, 𝜇)

=> Now we compare respective exponents

A. Rayleigh Method

⇒ Δ𝑃 = 𝑓(𝐷, 𝐿, 𝑉, 𝜇)
A. Rayleigh Method

⇒ Δ𝑃 = 𝑓(𝐷, 𝐿, 𝑉, 𝜇)

 We don’t know ‘a’, we have to perform multiple experiments to find out ‘a’
empirically.
 The limitation of method is we cannot apply it for more than 3-4 variables.
A. Rayleigh Method

Ex 2: Time period of pendulum depends upon length of simple pendulum and

acceleration due to gravity
A. Rayleigh Method

Ex 2: Time period of pendulum depends upon length of simple pendulum and

acceleration due to gravity
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)

𝑋 = 𝜙(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑒)

Dependent Independent
variables variables
n-> Total number of variables
m-> number of fundamental variables.

𝜋 = 𝑛 − 𝑚 ⇒ 𝜋 is number of dimensionless group

𝑉 𝐷
E.g.: ,
𝑇𝑔 𝑉𝑇
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)
𝜋 =𝑛−𝑚
1. 𝜋 term are not effected when multiplied by a dimensionless constant, e.g. 2𝜋 or 3𝜋.

2. The exponent of the 𝜋 term can also change without effecting the problem .
1
𝜋 → 𝜋 𝑜𝑟
𝜋
Lets say there are 3 𝜋 terms:

𝜋1 = 𝑋 𝐴𝑎1 𝐵𝑏1 𝐶 𝑐1
𝜋1 = 𝑌 𝐴𝑎2 𝐵𝑏2 𝐶 𝑐2
𝜋1 = 𝑍 (𝐴𝑎3 𝐵𝑏3 𝐶 𝑐3 )
Repeating variables: A,B and C
Non- Repeating variables: X,Y and Z
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)
𝜋 =𝑛−𝑚
Rules of repeating variables:
1. Number of repeating variables is equal to the number of fundamental quantities in the
problem.
2. Repeating variable must select from the independent variable.
3. Repeating variable must have dimensions.
4. Repeating variables group must contain all fundamental quantities.
5. Dimension of repeat variables should not be same.
6. They themselves do not form a dimensionless parameter.
7. More fundamental (basic) quantity must be selected as a repeating variable.
E.g.: If Velocity and acceleration are present, velocity must be selected as a
repeating variable.
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)
Q: Resistance force on ship is a function of its length L, velocity,
gravity g and fluid properties: density 𝜌 and viscosity 𝜇.
=> F=f(L, V, K, 𝜌, 𝜇)
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)
B. Buckingham 𝝅 Theorem (Method of repeating variables)
# Different types of forces in a fluid flow system

1. Inertia force (𝑭𝑰 ):

L=> characteristic length

# Different types of forces in a fluid flow system

2. Viscous force or shear force (𝑭𝒗 ):

# Different types of forces in a fluid flow system

3. Pressure force (𝑭𝒑 ):

4. Gravity force (𝑭𝒈 ):

# Different types of forces in a fluid flow system

5. Elastic or compressibility force (𝑭𝑬 ):

6. Surface tension force (𝑭𝒔 ):

Characteristic Length (L): - A dimension which is playing
most important role in flow development.

Ex:
1 Flow over a flat plate

L=x

2 Open channel

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒉×𝒃
𝑳= =
𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒃+𝟐𝒉
Characteristic Length (L): -

3 Internal flows:
# Important dimensionless number in fluid system

1. Reynold’s Number (Re):

Examples: Pipe flow,

Boundary layer
# Important dimensionless number in fluid system

2. Euler’s Number (Eu):

Examples: Internal
flows
# Important dimensionless number in fluid system

3. Froude Number (Fr):

Examples:
Open channels
# Important dimensionless number in fluid system

4. Weber Number (We):

It becomes important when the capillary effects are dominant.

# Important dimensionless number in fluid system
5. Mach Number (Ma):

It is used when an object travelling at high speed in a fluid.

Ex: Nozzle, jet, spacecraft.
# Important dimensionless number in fluid system

Summary
1. 𝑹𝒆 ⇒ 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔
2. 𝑬𝒖 ⇒ 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔
3. 𝑭𝒓 ⇒ 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔
4. 𝑾𝒆 ⇒ 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒇. 𝑻𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔
5. 𝑴𝒂 ⇒ 𝑬𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔
# Similitude and Modelling

-> Models are lab fit version of a prototype in order to predict the
performance of prototype in the lab.
-> Science deals with the similarity between the model and prototype
is known as similitude studies.

Note: A model may not always be smaller than the prototype

# Similitude and Modelling
1. Geometric Similarity : Model and prototype are said to be in geometric
similarity if the ratio of dimensions in model and prototype are same.

𝒍𝒎
𝒍𝒑
𝒉𝒎
𝒉𝒑
𝒃𝒎
Model
𝒃𝒑
Prototype
# Similitude and Modelling
2. Kinematic Similarity : Model and prototype are said to be in kinematic
similarity if the ratio of velocity & acceleration at corresponding points in model
and prototype are same.
𝒍𝒎
𝒍𝒑 1
𝒉𝒎 2
1
𝒉𝒑 2 𝒃𝒎
Model
𝒃𝒑
Prototype

Note: Geometric similarity is the pre-requisition for kinematic similarity.

# Similitude and Modelling
2. Dynamic Similarity : Model and prototype are said to be in kinematic similarity
if the ratio of forces at corresponding points in model and prototype are same.

𝒍𝒎
𝒍𝒑 1
𝒉𝒎 2
1
𝒉𝒑 2 𝒃𝒎
Model
𝒃𝒑
Prototype
Note: 1. Geometric & kinematic similarity is the pre-requisition for dynamics
similarity.
2. Direction of the forces should be same.
# Similitude and Modelling
-> If all the three similarity exists between model and prototype
than only, we can say both are exactly similar.

-> To ensure complete similarities

1. The must be geometric similar.
2. All independent 𝜋 − 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 must match between model and
prototype-> under these condition dependent 𝜋 − 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 guarantee
to equal.
# Similitude and Modelling
Different Model laws :

Ex: A fluid flow phenomena is to be studied in a model which is using Re model

law. Find expression for model to prototype ratio of the velocity and discharge in
terms of kinematic viscosity. Similarly for other model laws.
# Different ratio based on Re & Fr Model Law
Ratio Re Model Fr Model
Velocity, 𝑉𝑟 𝜇𝑟 1/2
𝐿𝑟
𝜌𝑟 𝐿𝑟
Time, 𝑇𝑟 𝜌𝑟 𝐿2𝑟 𝐿𝑟
1/2

𝜇𝑟
Acceleration, 𝑎𝑟 𝜇𝑟 1
𝜌𝑟2 𝐿3𝑟
Force, 𝐹𝑟 𝜇𝑟2 𝜌𝑟 𝐿3𝑟
𝜌𝑟
Power, 𝑃𝑟 𝜇𝑟2 𝜌𝑟 𝐿3𝑟 𝑉𝑟
𝜌𝑟2 𝐿𝑟
Flow, 𝑄𝑟 𝐿𝑟 𝜇𝑟 𝐿𝑟
5/2

𝜌𝑟
 𝑘𝑔
Examples 12.18: A ship 300 m long movies in sea-water, whose density is 1030 , A 1:100 model of this ship is to
𝑚3
𝑚
be tested in a wind tunnel. The velocity of air in the wind tunnel around the model is 30 and the resistance of the
𝑠
model is 60 N. Determine the velocity of ship in sea-water and also the resistance of the ship in sea-water. Th
𝑘𝑔
density of air is given as 1.24 3 . Take the kinematic viscosity of sea water and air as 0.012 stokes and 0.018 stokes
𝑚
respectively.
 𝑘𝑔
Examples 12.18: A ship 300 m long movies in sea-water, whose density is 1030 , A 1:100 model of this ship is to
𝑚3
𝑚
be tested in a wind tunnel. The velocity of air in the wind tunnel around the model is 30 and the resistance of the
𝑠
model is 60 N. Determine the velocity of ship in sea-water and also the resistance of the ship in sea-water. Th
𝑘𝑔
density of air is given as 1.24 3 . Take the kinematic viscosity of sea water and air as 0.012 stokes and 0.018 stokes
𝑚
respectively.
 𝑘𝑔
Examples 12.18: A ship 300 m long movies in sea-water, whose density is 1030 , A 1:100 model of this ship is to
𝑚3
𝑚
be tested in a wind tunnel. The velocity of air in the wind tunnel around the model is 30 and the resistance of the
𝑠
model is 60 N. Determine the velocity of ship in sea-water and also the resistance of the ship in sea-water. Th
𝑘𝑔
density of air is given as 1.24 3 . Take the kinematic viscosity of sea water and air as 0.012 stokes and 0.018 stokes
𝑚
respectively.
# Similitude and Modelling
-> Theory of distorted model 𝒉 ≪< 𝒍
There are few system such as river in which vertical dimension in the flow are
quite less as compared to the horizontal dimensions. Therefore, the different
scale ratio are taken in horizontal and vertical dimensions to make model

𝒍𝒎 𝒃𝒎
= = 𝑳𝒓 𝑯
𝒍𝒑 𝒃𝒑
𝒉𝒎
= 𝑳𝒓 𝑽
𝒉𝒑

𝑨𝒎 𝒉𝒎 × 𝒃𝒎
= = 𝑳𝒓 𝑽 𝑳𝒓 𝑯
𝑨𝒑 𝒉𝒑 × 𝒃𝒑