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CE2002D MECHANICS OF FLUIDS

DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
 Mathematical technique which studies the dimensions of a physical process and
solving several engineering problems.

 Each physical phenomenon can be expressed by an equation, composed of

variables (or physical quantities) which may be dimensional and non-
dimensional quantities.

 Helps in determining a systematic arrangement of the variables in the physical

relationship and combining dimensional variables to form non-dimensional
parameters.

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USES
 Useful in both analytical and experimental investigations

• Testing the dimensional homogeneity of any equation of fluid motion.

• Deriving equations expressed in terms of non-dimensional parameters to show

the relative significance of each parameter.

• Planning model tests and presenting experimental results in a systematic

manner in terms of non-dimensional parameters.

DIMENSIONS
 A dimension is a measure of a physical quantity (without numerical values),
while a unit is a way to assign a number to that dimension.
 Fundamental or primary quantities
o Mass (M), length (L), time (T) and temperature (θ)
 Derived quantities or secondary quantities
o Area, volume, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, power
 Expression for a derived quantity in terms of the primary quantities is called the
dimension of the physical quantity.
[Force] = [Mass × Acceleration] = M L T-2

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DIMENSIONAL HOMOGENEITY
 Every additive term in an equation must have the same dimensions.
 Fourier’s principle of dimensional homogeneity
An equation which expresses a physical phenomenon must be algebraically correct
and dimensionally homogeneous.
 An equation is said to be dimensionally homogeneous, if the dimensions of the
terms on its left hand side are same as the dimensions of the terms on its right hand
side.
 Equation for the time of swing of a simple pendulum

=2
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 Flow over rectangular weir

 Flow over triangular weir

 Laminar flow in pipes

 A dimensionally homogeneous equation is independent of the units chosen for

measurement.
 It is always possible to reduce a dimensionally homogeneous equation to a non-
dimensional form.
 Number of dimensionless groups that can be made is equal to the number of variables
constituting the equation minus the number of primary quantities involved.
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DIMENSIONALLY NON-HOMOGENEOUS
 There are equations which are dimensionally non-homogeneous, but still well
applicable to flow system within their limited ranges.
 Manning’s formula

 Chezy’s formula

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METHODS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

 Rayleigh Method

 Buckingham π Method

BUCKINGHAM Π METHOD
 Method of repeating variables, popularized by Edgar Buckingham (1867–
1940).
 If there are n dimensional variables involved in a phenomenon, which can be
completely described by m fundamental quantities and are related by a
dimensionally homogeneous equation, then the relationship among the n
quantities can always be expressed in terms of exactly (n – m) dimensionless and
independent π terms.

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 If variable Q1 depends on the independent variables, Q2, Q3, Q4………Qn

 Transform to another functional relationship

 According to π-theorem

 Each dimensionless π-term is formed by combining m variables out of the total n

variables with one of the remaining (n – m) variables.

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Repeating variables
 The m variables which appear repeatedly in each of the π-terms are called
repeating variables.
• Should not be dimensionless parameter

• No two variables should have same dimensions

• Should not form dimensionless parameter

• All fundamental quantities are collectively involved

• Dependent variable should not be taken

• Geometry, material property and external property

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 Each individual equation is dimensionless and the exponents a, b, c, d…m are

determined by considering dimensional homogeneity for each equation so that
each π-term is dimensionless.
 Final general equation for the phenomenon is obtained by expressing any one of
the π-terms as a function of the others.

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STEPS
Step 1
List the parameters in the problem and count their total number n.

Step 2
List the primary dimensions of each of the n parameters.

Step 3
Determine the number (k) of Π terms. k=n–m

Step 4
Choose m repeating parameters.

Step 5
Construct the k Π’s, and manipulate as necessary.

Step 6
Write the final functional relationship and check your algebra

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FINAL EQUATION
 If a quantity is a dimensionless π-term.
 If any two physical quantities have same dimensions, their ratio will be one of the
π-terms.
 Any π-term may be replaced by any power of that term, including negative as well
as fractional powers.
 Any π-term may be replaced by multiplying it by a numerical constant.
 Any π-term may be replaced by another π-term obtained by adding or subtracting
an absolute numerical constant.
 Any π-terms may be replaced by multiplying or dividing it by another π-term.

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PROBLEM
Consider the flow of an incompressible fluid of density ρ and viscosity μ through a
long, horizontal section of round pipe of diameter D, with an average velocity V.
Because of frictional forces between the fluid and the pipe wall, there exists a shear
stress τw on the inside pipe wall. Assume some constant average roughness height ε
along the inside wall of the pipe. Develop a non-dimensional relationship between
shear stress τw and the other parameters.

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• Step 1: List the parameters

Density ρ  kg/m3  ML –3
Viscosity μ  kg/ms  ML –1T –1 n=6
Diameter D m L m=3
Velocity V  m/s  LT –1 k=n–m=6–3=3
Shear stress τw  N/m2  ML –1 T –2
Roughness height ε  m L
• Step 2: Define the functional relationship
= ( , , , , )

• Step 3: Select the repeating variables

V, D, ρ

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• Step 4: Construct the k (= 3) π-terms

=

=
= ∈

• Step 5: Assuming dimensionally homogenous solve the π-terms

=
=( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) =
M: 0 = c1 + 1
L: 0 = a1 + b1 – 3c1 – 1
T: 0 = – a1– 2
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• Step 5: Assuming dimensionally homogenous solve the π-terms

= a2 = – 1; b2 = – 1 and c2 = – 1
=
=( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
=
M: 0 = c2 + 1
L: 0 = a2 + b2 – 3c2 – 1
T: 0 = – a2– 1
• Step 5: Assuming dimensionally homogenous solve the π-terms
= ∈ a3 = 0; b3 = – 1 and c3 = 0

=( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) = ∈

M: 0 = c3 ∈
L: 0 = a3 + b3 – 3c3 + 1 =
T: 0 = – a3 19

Darcy friction factor (f) = f(Reynolds number, Roughness ratio)

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PROBLEM
 Find the form of the equation for discharge Q through a sharp-edged triangular
notch assuming Q depends on the central angle α of the notch, head H,
gravitational acceleration g and on the density ρ, viscosity μ and surface tension
σ of the fluid.

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