Dimensional analysis and similitude

1. Common variables in fluid flow:

2. Dimensional analysis

a) Raleigh’s method: If A1 is a dependent variable

and A2, A3, An are independent variable in a
phenomenon, then A1 is expressed as
A1 = kA2a A3b A4c ... An . Applicable when variables are

less.
b) Buckingham Pi theorem(method of repeating
variable): It states that if there are ‘m’ primary
dimensions involved in the ‘n’ variables controlling
a physical phenomenon, then the phenomenon can
be described by (n-m) independent dimensionless
groups known as pi( π ).
c) Rules for selecting repeating variables:
i) Variables must have all the basic dimensions
involved in the problem.
ii) The dependent variable must not be chosen
as repeating variable.
iii) Usually a length parameter (D,H) ; a typical
velocity (V) and the fluid density 𝛒 are
convenient set of repeating variable.

3. Similitude

1. Geometric similarity: Ratio of corresponding length in a model and the prototype are similar.
Lmod el Lm Am Vm
= = Lr , = L2r , = L3r
L prototype L p Ap Vp

2. Kinematic similarity: Geometric similarity and ratio of velocities at all corresponding points in the
flow is the same i.e.
tm L
i) Time ratio = tr= r
tp Vr

am Vr2 Lr
ii) Acceleration ratio = a=
r =
ap Lr Tr2

Qm L3r
iii) Discharge ratio = Q=
r
Qp Tr
3. Dynamic similarity: Two systems are dynamically similar, if geometric and kinematic similarities
exist and further the ratios of all corresponding forces in the two systems are the same(i.e. forces
due to gravity FG, viscosity FV, elasticity FE, surface tension FT, inertia and FI).
FGm Fvm FEm FTm FIm
= = = = = Constant
FGp Fvp FEp FTp FIp

From the above the following relations can be derived:

(=
Inertia force )
m
(Inertia force ) p
= Constant 1
( Viscous force )m ( Viscous force ) p
(=
Inertia force )
m
(Inertia force ) p
= Constant 2 .... and so on for all other forces
(Gravity force )m (Gravity force ) p

4. Important dimensionless flow parameters

a) Reynolds number b) Froude Number(Fr):

ρVL VL (=
Inertia )
Inertial force 1/ 2
= R= = , for V
Viscous force e
µ ν =Fr , for dynamic
(Gravity )
1/ 2
gL
dynamic similarity where viscous
forces are predominant: similarity where gravity forces are
 VL   VL  predominant
R= R=  =  
em ep
 ν m  ν  p  V   V 
F=
rm F=
rp
 =  
 gL   gL 
 m  p
c) Mach number (M):

(Inertial force ) =
1/ 2
V V
d) Euler number (E)
=M =
(Inertia force )
1/ 2
(Compressibility force ) E/ ρ C
1/ 2
V
=E =
(Pressure force )
1/ 2
, where C is the velocity of the ∆p / ρ
sound in the medium.

When compressibility effects a) Weber number (W):

predominate, for dynamic similarity
=W =
(Inertia force ) ρV 2L
we have: M=  = 
V 
M=  
V  (Surface tension ) σ
m p
 C m  C p
5. Model scale ratios for general models

Parameters Scale ratios for the laws of 6. Similitude scale ratios in distorted
Froude Reynolds models
(when (when Parameter Symbol Scale
dominant dominant ratio
force is force is Length L Lr
gravity) viscosity)
Geometric Similarity Width B Lr
Length Lr Lr Depth y hr
Area L2 L2 Area of flow A Lr hr
r r

Volume Volume ∀ L2hr

L3 L3 r
r r
Velocity V hr
Kinematic Similarity Time T Lr
Velocity
(L )
1/ 2
µr
hr
r
Lr ρr
Acceleration a hr
Time
( )
1/ 2
L L2 ρr
r
r Lr
µr
Discharge Q Lr h 1.5
Acceleration 1 µ 2 r

r
Slope S hr
L3 ρ 2
r r Lr
Discharge L5 / 2 Lr µr
r
Manning’s n h 2/ 3
ρr roughness r

L1 / 2
Dynamic Similarity r

Mass L ρr 3 3
L ρr Reynolds Re h 1.5
r r
number r

Force L3 ρr µ2
r r

ρr
Pressure Lr ρr µ2
r

L2 ρr
r

Momentum L7 / 2 ρr L2 µr
r r

Energy of L4 ρr Lr µ 2
work r r

ρr
Power L7 / 2 ρr µ3
r r

Lr ρ 2
r