*Unit-1: Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis
Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique to list physical variables which involved in the
flow and systematically arrange physical relationship among physical variables and make into
non-dimensional parameters.

Steps for deriving expressions using dimensional analysis

1) Physical variables controlling the flow phenomenon should be identified and expressed in
terms of primary dimensions (M, L, T).
2) Any mathematical equations should be dimensionally homogeneous.
3) A suitable mathematical model is constructed to simplify the flow problem with suitable
assumptions.

Dimensions
Engineering and scientists use various physical parameters to describe a given phenomenon.
But these physical parameters are independent of each other called fundamental or primary
quantities/parameters. Example: mass, length, time. The parameters which are expressed in
terms of primary quantities are called secondary or derived quantities. Example: velocity, force
power etc.

Law of Fourier principle of dimensional homogeneity

An equation which expresses a physical phenomenon of flow must contains dimensionally homogeneous terms (or) the dimensions of each term should be same as the dimensions of the
other terms. It is the first step towards dimensional analysis.

Buckingham theorem
If there are 0 n 0 physical variables in a dimensionally homogeneous equation and if these physical variables contain 0 m 0 fundamental dimensions (M,L,T) then they are grouped into 0 n m 0
dimensionless independent terms.
Let X1 , X2 , X3 , ...Xn are the physical variables involved in a flow phenomenon. Let X1 be the
dependent variables and X2 , X3 , ...Xn are the independent variables on which X1 depends. Then

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X1 is a function of X2 , X3 , ...Xn and mathematically, it is expressed as

X1 = f(X2 , X3 , ...Xn ).

(1)

This equation is a dimensionally homogeneous equation. It contains 0 n 0 variables. If there

are 0 m 0 fundamental dimensions then according to Buckingham theorem, equation ?? can be
written in terms of -terms which is equal to 0 n m 0 . Hence equation becomes
F(1 , 2 , 3 , ...nm ) = 0.

(2)

Each of -terms is dimensionless and independent of the system. Division or multiplication

by a constant does not change the character of the -term. Each of -term contains (m + 1)
variables, where m is the number of fundamental dimensions and is also called repeating variables. Let m in the above case X2 , X3 and X4 are repeating variables, if fundamental dimensions
(M, L, T ) = 3 then each -term is written as
1 b1 c1 1
1 = Xa
2 X3 X4 X5 ,

(3)

2 b2 c2 1
2 = Xa
2 X3 X4 X6 ,

(4)

nm = Xanm
Xbnm
Xcnm
X1n .
2
3
4

(5)

Each equation is solved by the principle of dimensional homogeneity and values of a1 , b1 , c1

etc., are obtained. These values are substituted in equation ?? and values 1 , 2 , nm are obtained. These values of are substituted in equation ??. The final equation for the phenomenon
is obtained by expressing any one of the -terms as a function of others as
1 = (2 , 3 .....nm ),
2 = (1 , 3 .....nm ).

Selection of repeating variables

There is no separate rule for selecting repeating variables. But the number of repeating variables
is equal to the fundamental dimensions of the problem. Generally, , and l or , and D are
chosen as repeating variables. It means, one refers to fluid property , one refers to flow property
and the other one refers to geometric property l or D. In addition to this, the following points
should be kept in mind while selecting the repeating variables:
1. The selected variables should not be in dimensionless form.
2. The selected two repeating variables should not have the same dimensions. For example,
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flow velocity and speed of sound have same dimension of m/s. Then flow velocity and speed of
sound should not be selected as repeating variables.
3. The selected repeating variables should be independent as far as possible.

Steps to be followed in Buckingham method

1. First the variables involved in a given analysis are listed to study about the given phenomenon
thoroughly.
2. Then, these variables are expressed in terms of primary dimensions.
3. Next, the repeating variables are chosen according to the hint given in selection of repeating
variables. Once, the repeating variables should be checked either those are independent or
dependent variables because all should be independent variables.
4. Then the dimensionless parameters are obtained by adding one at a time with repeating
variables.
5. The number of pi-terms involved in dimensional analysis is calculated by using n-m=number
of pi-terms. Where, n = total number of variables involved in given analysis and m = number of
fundamental variables.
6. Finally, each equation in exponential form is solved which means the coefficients of exponents are found by comparing both sides exponents. Then these dimensionless parameters are
recombined and arranged suitably.

LIMITATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

1. Dimensional analysis does not give any rule regarding the selection of variables. 2. The
complete information is not provided by dimensional analysis. It only indicates that there are
some relationships between parameters. 3. The values of co-efficient and the nature of function
can be obtained only by experiments or from mathematical analysis. Since the inertia force is
always present in a fluid flow, its ratio with each of the other forces provides a dimensionless
number. These have been discussed below.

Similitude
Similitude is defined as the complete similarity between model and prototype. Complete similarity is attained, if the following three types is similarity is attained, if the following three of
similarities exist: (1) Geometric similarity, (2) Kinematic similarity and (3) Dynamic similarity.

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Geometric similarity
A model and its prototype are geometrically similar, if the ratios of the corresponding length
dimensions are equal. Let Lm , bm , Dm , Am and Lp , bp , Dp , Ap are the length, breath, diameter
and area of a model and a prototype respectively.
For geometric similarity between model and prototype, the relations,
Lp
bp
Dp
=
=
= Lr = length scale ratio.
Lm
bm
Dm
Ap
Lp bp
=
= L2r = Area scale ratio.
Am
Lm bm

Kinematic similarity
Kinematic similarity is the similarity of motion. It corresponds to the points in the model and
prototype. If the acceleration ratios and acceleration vectors points are same in the same direction, then two flows are said to be kinematically similar.
Tp
Time scale ratio, = Tr =
.
Tm
Velocity scale ratio, = Vr =

Lp
Tp
Lm
Tm

Acceleration scale ratio, = ar =

Lr
.
Tr

Lp
Tp2
Lm
2
Tm

Lr
.
Tr2

Dynamic Similarity
It is the similarity of forces. the flows in the model and prototype are of dynamic similar. In
dynamic similarity, the force polygon of the two flows can be superimposed by change in scale.
let, (Fi )p = inertia force at all points in prototype
(Fv )p = Viscous force at the point in prototype
(Fg )p = gravity force at the points in prototype, and
(Fi )m , (Fv )m , (Fg )m are corresponding values of the force in the model. thus,
(Fi )p
(Fv )p
(Fg )p
=
=
= Fr = Forceratio
(Fi )m
(Fv )m
(Fg )m

(6)

It is very difficult to reproduce flight conditions exactly in wind tunnel experiments, whether the
body is moving through a stationary gas or the gas past a stationary body. Models are therefore
commonly used in wind tunnels of limited dimensions, to predict the behavior of prototypes in
flight.

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Dimensionless Parameters

1.1

Reynolds Number

It is defined as the ratio of the inertia force to the viscous force of a flowing fluid denoted by Re
Re =

inertiaforce
viscousforce

Re =

1.2

2 L2
L

(7)

Froude Number

It is defined as the square root of the ratio of the inertia force of a flowing fluid to the gravity
force.
q
inertiaforce
Fr = gravityforce
s
Fr =

1.3

L2 2
L3 g

(8)

Euler Number

It is defined as the square root of the ratio of inertia force to the pressure force of a flowing fluid.
q
inertiaforce
Eu = pressureforce
s
L2 2
Eu =
(9)
pL2

1.4

Weber Number

It is the ratio of the square root of the inertia force to the surface tension force.
q
inertiaforce
We = surfacetensionforce
r
L2 2
We =
L

1.5

(10)

Mach Number

It is defined as the square root of the inertia force of flowing fluid to the elastic force.
q
M = inertiaforce
elasticforce
r
L2 2
M=
kL2

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(11)

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