CV1012 Fluid Mechanics

Tutorial 6 Dimension Analysis

1.

The variation p of pressure in static liquids is known to depend on the density , gravity g,
and the elevation difference z. By examining their dimensions, determine the form of the
hydrostatic law of variation of pressure.
(Ans : p = constant g z)
Solution:
p = f (, g, z)
Their dimensions are:
p = [ML-1T-2]
= [ML-3]
g = [LT-2]
z = [L]
By balancing the dimensions, one can determine that the following equation has the same
dimensions on the left and right sides.
p = constant g z
[ML-1T-2] = [ML-3] [LT-2] [L]
The solution can be formally worked out using Dimensional Analysis as below:
p = f (, g, z)
Using , g, z as repeating variables, only 1 Pi term:
1 = p a gb z c
Using MLT system :
ML-1T-2MaL-3aLbT-2bLc = M0L0To
1+a=0
-1-3a + b + c = 0
- 2 - 2b = 0
Solving : c = -1, b = -1, a = -1
1 = p / ( g z) = constant, i.e.
p = constant g z

2.

In a fluid rotated as a solid about a vertical axis with angular velocity , the pressure
rise p in a radial direction depends upon , radius r, and density . By examining
their dimensions, determine the form of equation for p.
(Ans : p = constant r)

Solution:
p = f (, r, )
Their dimensions are:
p = [ML-1T-2]
= [T-1]
r = [L]
= [ML-3]
By balancing the dimensions, one can determine that the following equation has the same
dimensions on the left and right sides.
p = constant r
[ML-1T-2] = [T-1]2 [L]2 [ML-3]
The solution can be formally worked out using Dimensional Analysis as below:
Using , r, as repeating variables, only 1 Pi term:
1 = p a rb c
Using MLT system :
ML-1T-2T-aLbMcL-3c = M0L0To
1+c=0
-1 + b - 3c = 0
-2-a=0
Solving : c = -1, b = -2, a = -2
1 = p / (r) = constant, i.e.
p = constant r

3.

Show that the Reynolds number Re = VD/ is dimensionless. Determine its value for
water ( = 0.001 N.s/m2) flowing at 2 cm/s through a 5 cm diameter pipe.
(Ans : 1,000)

Solution :
Re = VD/ = ML-3LT-1LM-1LT = M0L0T0 = dimensionless

Re = 1000 x 0.02 x 0.05 / 0.001 = 1,000

4.

Show that the Froude number Fr = V/(gh)1/2 is dimensionless. Determine its value for
an open channel flow with a depth h of 2 m flowing at 1 m/s.

Solution :
Fr = V/(gh)1/2 = LT-1 (LT-2L)-1/2 = L0T0 = dimensionless
Fr = 1 / (9.81*2)1/2 = 0.23
5.

At a sudden contraction in a pipe, the diameter reduces from D 1 to D2. Due to the
Bernoullis equation, it is expected that the pressure will drop across the contraction
by an amount of p which is a function of D1, D2, V1 (in large pipe), and . Using
D1, V and as repeating variables, derive the suitable Pi terms and a general
relationship for the pressure drop p. Should we also include V2 in the derivation?

Solution :
p = f (D1, D2, V1, , )
Using D1, V1, as repeating variables, 3 Pi terms :
1 = p D1a V1b c
Using MLT system :
ML-1T-2LaLbT-bMcL-cT-c = M0L0To
1+c=0
a+b-1-c=0
-2-b-c=0
Solving : c = -1, b = -1, a = 1
1 = p D1/ (V1 )
Similarly :
2 = D2/ D1
3 = V1 D1/
Hence general relation : 1 = (2, 3)
V2 should not be included as it is not an independent variable.

6.

Fluid mechanics play an important role in our body. For the flow of blood through a
small diameter horizontal blood vessel, the pressure drop over a length L, p, is a
function of Q, D, and . For a series of test where D = 2 mm, L = 300 mm and = 0.004
N.s/m2, the following data were obtained:
Q (m3/s)
3.6x10-6
4.9x10-6
6.3x10-6
7.9x10-6
9.8x10-6

Pressure drop
(N/m2)
1.1x104
1.5x104
1.9x104
2.4x104
3.0x104

Derive a general relationship between p and Q.

Solution :
p = pressure drop / L = f (Q, D, )
Using Q, D, as repeating variables, 1 Pi terms.
1 = p Qa Db c
Using MLT system :
ML-2T-2L3aT-aLbMcL-cT-c= M0L0To
1+c=0
-2 + 3a + b - c = 0
-2 -a - c = 0
Solving : c = -1, b = 4, a = -1
1 = p D4 / (Q)
General relation :
1 = p D4 / (Q) = C
From the given data :
p D4 / (Q) = 40.6, 40.7, 40.1, 40.4, 40.7, or average of 40.5
Hence
p = 40.5 Q / D4