EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 7: DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND MODELING

Lesson 24 Experimental Testing and Incomplete Similarity
A useful application of dimensional analysis is designing and reporting of physical and/or numerical
experiments.
While obtaining the nondimensional groups is easily achieved via the method of repeating variables, it is often
not always possible to match all the ' s of a model to the corresponding ' s of the prototype, even if we are
careful to achieve geometric similarity. This situation is called incomplete similarity. Fortunately, in some
cases of incomplete similarity, we are still able to extrapolate model tests to obtain reasonable full-scale
predictions.
using a 1/16th scale model (w/ all details), a full-scale 15.9 m
long truck 0.991 m (L) x 0.257 m (H) x 0.159 m (W) model.
Air wind tunnel (same temperature and pressure as for
prototype) has a test section 1 m (H) by 1.2 m (W) with
Vmax = 70 m s . We want to simulate
= V p 60
= mph 26.8 m s .

Need to match Reynolds number, so

Lou Cattafesta
MAE Dept.
University of Florida
 EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics

incomplete similarity measuring the drag p Lp m

Vm = V p = 16V p 429 m s
=
force on a model truck in a wind tunnel

L
m m p

= 1 = 16 =1

2 problems: (1) Vm > Vmax and (2) M m > 1 (supersonic!)

What do we do? Several options:
o If a larger wind tunnel is available, we could test a larger model
larger models are more expensive to manufacture (and run the risk of increased blockage), and
larger tunnels cost more to run
Rule of thumb: model blockage (ratio of frontal area seen by flow to test section area) < 7.5%
o could use a different fluid (e.g., water tunnel produces much higher Re for same speed flow but
Tunnel Power m ATSVm3 )
o can pressurize the tunnel and/or adjust the air temperature to increase Re (like NASA LaRC NTF)
o can run tunnel at multiple speeds near Vmax = 70 m s and extrapolate results usual approach

Lou Cattafesta
MAE Dept.
University of Florida
EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics

While drag coefficient CD is a strong function of Re at low

values of Re, CD often levels off for Re above some value,
when the boundary layer and the wake are both fully turbulent.
FD ,m VW
Measure and plot CD ,m = vs. Re m = m m m
0.5 mVm Am
2
m
o Here Am = Wm H m (=frontal area typical of bluff bodies)
o streamlined bodies uses planform area W x L

26.8 m s 16Wm

p Vp Wp
compute Re p = = 4.37 106 > 6 Re m We have
p
not achieved dynamic similarity.
Clearly, CD has leveled off ~0.76 at highest Re, suggesting that
Re independence has been achieved.
Assuming CD = 0.76 is constant at higher Re, we can estimate

FD , p = CD , p 0.5 pV p2 Ap = 3400 N

0.76 162 Am

Lou Cattafesta
MAE Dept.
University of Florida
EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics

only give to 2 significant digits since we cant possibly know

CD to more than 2 significant digits.

Lou Cattafesta
MAE Dept.
University of Florida
 EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics

Another example of incomplete similarity is a free surface flow.

32
L L
If m << 1 (scaled model), this requires m = m << 1 .
Lp p Lp

=
H 2O 1.002 106 m 2 s at T = 20 C. If we want a small-

scale ship model, Lm L p = 1 100 , we need m p = 1 1000 .

No such fluid exists! Closest is mercury, m p 1 10 ,

which it toxic!
Vm Lm
Usually match Fr and use water, so = . So, Re m =
Vp Lp

VL Vm Lm V p L p L
32
Need to match both=
Re = = V p m Lm V p L p Lm
m p Lp L
32
Vm Lm p L
== = Re p m << Re p .
Vp m p p L
Vm V L p
and Fr = = . So m = m m and
gLm gL p p Vp Lp
In river models, the low Re makes the flow laminar and we
Vm Lm must trip the BL to make it turbulent. In movie industry,
= .
Vp Lp this makes the waves look wrong laminar vs. turbulent

Lou Cattafesta
MAE Dept.
University of Florida