Fluid Mechanics I

Chapter 4: Dimensional Analysis

Dr. Esteban Valencia

May, 2017

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 1 / 13

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional Analysis:Importance
Similarity
The Buckingham Pi Theorem
Example:Lift on a Wing

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 2 / 13

Dimensional Analysis

In most experiments, to save time and money, tests are performed on a

geometrically scaled model, rather than on the full-scale prototype.

In such cases, care must be taken to properly scale the results. We

introduce here a powerful technique called dimensional analysis.

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 3 / 13

Dimensional Analysis

The three primary purposes of dimensional analysis are:

To generate nondimensional parameters that help in the design of
experiments (physical and/or numerical) and in the reporting of
experimental results.
To obtain scaling laws so that prototype performance can be
predicted from model performance.
To (sometimes) predict trends in the relationship between parameters.

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 4 / 13

Similarity

There are three necessary conditions for complete similarity between a

model and a prototype:
Geometric Similarity the model must be the same shape as the
prototype, but may be scaled by some constant scale factor.
Kinematic Similaritywhich means that the velocity at any point in the
model flow must be proportional (by a constant scale factor) to the
velocity at the corresponding point in the prototype flow.
Dynamic Similarityis achieved when all forces in the model flow scale
by a constant factor to corresponding forces in the prototype flow
(force-scale equivalence).
All three similarity conditions must exist for complete similarity to be
ensured.

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 5 / 13

Dimensional Analysis
We let uppercase Greek letter Pi () denote a nondimensional parameter.
The power of using dimensional analysis and similarity to supplement
experimental analysis is further illustrated by the fact that the actual
values of the dimensional parameters (density, velocity, etc.) are irrelevant.
As long as the corresponding independent 0 s are set equal to each other,
similarity is achieved (even if different fluids are used).

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 6 / 13

The Buckingham Pi Theorem
This is a method that shows how to generate nondimensional parameters.
The method consists of six steps, as shown:

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 7 / 13

Description of Steps

Step 1 List the parameters and count them. Let n be the total number
of parameters in the problem, including the dependent variable. Make
sure that any listed independent parameter is indeed independent of
the others, i.e., it cannot be expressed in terms of them. (E.g., dont
include radius r and area A = r 2 , since r and A are not independent.)
Step 2 List the primary dimensions for each of the n parameters.
Step 3 Guess the reduction j. As a first guess, set j equal to the
number of primary dimensions represented in the problem. The
expected number of 0 s (k) is equal to n minus j, according to the
Buckingham Pi theorem,
k =nj

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 8 / 13

Description of Steps

Step 4 Choose j repeating parameters that will be used to construct

each . Since the repeating parameters have the potential to appear
in each , be sure to choose them wisely.
Step 5 Generate the 0 s one at a time by grouping the j repeating
parameters with one of the remaining parameters, forcing the product
to be dimensionless. In this way, construct all k 0 s. By convention
the first , designated as 1 , is the dependent (the one on the left
side of the list). Manipulate the 0 s as necessary to achieve
established dimensionless groups.
Step 6 Check that all the 0 s are indeed dimensionless. Write the final
functional relationship in the form of:

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 9 / 13

Example:Lift on a Wing

Where,
FL : lift force on the wing; Lc : chord lenght; V : free-stream fluid speed;
: angle of attack of the wing; : fluid density; : fluid viscosity; c: speed
of sound
Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 10 / 13
Example (Continuation)

Step 1 There are seven parameters (variables and constants) in this

problem; n = 7. They are listed in functional form, with the
dependent variable listed as a function of the independent parameters:

FL = f (V , Lc , , , , c) n=7

Step 2 The primary dimensions of each parameter are listed; angle

is dimensionless:

FL (M 1 L1 T 2 ); V (L1 T 1 ); Lc (L1 ); (M 1 L3 );

(M 1 L1 T 1 ); c (L1 T 1 ); (1)

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 11 / 13

Loss Coefficients K

Step 3 As a first guess, j is set equal to 3, the number of primary

dimensions represented in the problem (M, L, and T).

j =3

So, the expected numbe of 0 s is:

k =nj =73=4

Step 4 Choose three repeating parameters since j = 3. Notice that we

can not pick the dependent variable FL nor since its already
dimensionless. Also we can not choose both V and c since their
dimensions are identical.
Repeating pamaeters: V , Lc ,

Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 12 / 13

Loss Coefficients K
Step 5 The dependent pi is generated.
1 = FL V a1 Lb1
c
c1

1 = (M 1 L1 T 2 )(L1 T 1 )a1 (L1 )b1 (M 1 L3 )c1

The exponents are calculated by forcing the pi to be dimensionless.
Then: a1 = 2, b1 = 2, and c1 = 1.
The dependent pi is thus:
FL
1 =
V 2 L2c
Similarly the other 0 s or dependent 0 s are generated.

2 = VL c
(inverse Reynolds Number)
V
3 = c (Mach Number)
4 = (angle of attack)
Step 6 Write the final function relationship.
1 = f (Re, Ma, )
Dr. Esteban Valencia Fluid Mechanics I May, 2017 13 / 13