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Dimensional Analysis
and Similitude

Dimensions of some Variables

M/Lt2

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Dimensions of some Variables

In applications where conversion between mechanical and

internal energy is negligible, internal energy (measured in Joule)
becomes an additional dimension together with temperature.
When working with electrical systems, e.g. when working with
electrochemical systems, the amount of electrical charge
(measured in Coulombs) become an additional dimension.
Note that Volt = Energy (in Joule)/Coulomb;
Ampere = Coulomb/time; and
Ohm = Volt/Ampere

Writing Equations in Dimensionles Form

Navier Stokes Equation in 2 Dimensions
Continuity equation:

Momentum balance:

Normalise by firstly choosing reference values

• Reference for length
• Reference for velocity
• Reference for time

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Navier Stokes Equation in 2 Dimensions

Specify non-dimensional quantities for variables in Navier Stokes as an

example:
∗
∗
∗
∗
∗

Apply chain rule for differentiation to derivatives of variables:

∗ ∗ ∗
1 ∗

∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
∗ ∗ ∗

∗ ∗ ∗

Navier Stokes Equation in 2 Dimensions

Substitution in continuity equation gives:

∗ ∗

∗ ∗
0

Apply chain rule and same methodology to Navier-Stokes equation:

∗
∗
∗
∗
1 ∗
∗ ∗

∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗

Note that dimensions of each on of the terms in the equation are:

Force
or or
Volume

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Navier Stokes Equation in 2 Dimensions

Furthermore, each term represents a certain kind of force:

• is an inertial force
• is a viscous force
• is a gravitational force
• is a pressure force

Divide normalized Navier-Stokes equation by gives:

∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
∗ ∗
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗

Navier Stokes Equation in 2 Dimensions

The dimensionless groups of numbers have been given names:

• is the Froude number and represents the ratio of inertial to
gravitational force. Very important in analysing open-channel flow
• is the Euler number and represents ratio of pressure to
inertial force.
/
• is the drag coefficient (modified form of Eu number)
/

• is the Reynolds number and represents the ratio of

inertial to viscous forces. Is ubiquitous in all transport processes and
is generally considered the most important dimensionless
parameter in the field of fluid mechanics.

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Buckingham Method

The number of dimensionless groups used to describe a situation involving

variables is equal to where is the rank of the dimensional matrix of
the variables, which is the number of rows (or columns) in the largest
nonzero determinant that can be formed from the dimensional matrix. Thus

Where
• is the number of independent dimensionless groups
• is the number of variables involved
• is the rank of the dimensional matrix
The dimensional matrix is simply the matrix formed by tabulating the
exponents of the fundamental dimensions M, L and t (sometimes also J and
°K) which appear in each of the variables involved.

Example 1

Determine the dimensionless groups formed from the variables involved

in the fluid flow of fluid external to a solid body. The force exerted on the
body is a function of , , and (a significant dimension of the body)

Variable Symbol Dimension

Force F ML/t2
Velocity v L/t
Density ρ M/L3
Viscosity μ m/Lt
Length L L

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Example 1
Dimensional Matrix
F v ρ μ L
M 1 0 1 1 0
L 1 1 -3 -1 0
t -2 -1 0 -1 1
The dimensional matrix:
1 0 1 1 0
1 1 3 1 0
2 1 0 1 1

The rank of this matrix is 3.

Number of dimensionless groups:
5 3 2

Example 1
Dimensional Matrix
Designate the two dimensionless groups as and
Chose a core group of three variables that contains all three dimensions.
It is a free choice, but for a flow problems it is convenient to express the
dimensions of and in terms of , and . Therefor:
F and
Considering the dimensions of

1
For M: 0 1 therefore 1
For L: 0 1 3 therefor 4
For t: 0 2 therefore 2 and 2
∴ ≡

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Example 1
Dimensional Matrix
Do a similar analysis of

Considering the dimensions of

1
For M: 0 1 therefor 1
For L: 0 1 3 therefor d 2
For t: 0 1 therefore 1 and 1
1
∴
Dimensional analysis enabled us to relate the original five variables in
terms of only two dimensionless parameters in the form:
∅ or

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∆
2
∆ 2

Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Physical models of full-scale prototypes are often used to determine

experimentally how the full-scale prototype will perform. The validity of
such scaling requires that the models and prototypes possess similarity.
Three types of similarity that are important include:
Geometric similarity: Consider a rectangle for example:
and
Kinematic similarity : Geometric similarity and velocities at same locations :
and
Dynamic similarity exists in geometric and kinematically similar systems
when the ratios of significant forces are equal for the model and the
prototype

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Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Example 2 – Scaling a Stirred Tank
A cylindrical tank is to be scaled up to a larger size such that the volume
of the larger tank is five times larger. What I the ratios of diameter and
height between the two?
Db
Geometric similarity:
Da

hb
ha
Volumes:
and
But 5

Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Example 2 – Scaling a Stirred Tank
Therefore:
/4
5
/4 Db

Da

∴ 5
And:

5
hb
ha

Ratios of interest:
5⅓ 1.71

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Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Example 3 – Cryogenic Wind Tunnel

Dynamic similarity may be obtained by using a cryogenic wind tunnel in

which nitrogen at low temperature and high pressure is used as working
fluid. If nitrogen at 5 atm and 183 K is used to test the low-speed
aerodynamics of a prototype that has a 24.38 m wingspan and is to fly
at standard sea-level conditions at a speed of 60 m/s, determine:
1. The scale of the model to be tested
2. The ratio of forces between the model and the full-scale aircraft
Conditions of dynamic similarity must prevail. The speed of sound in
nitrogen at 183 K is 275 m/s.
For dynamic similarity to exist the model and prototype must be
geometrically similar, the Reynolds numbers must be the same and for
these systems, the Mach numbers must also be the same (stated).

Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Example 3 – Cryogenic Wind Tunnel

Table of important variables:

Model Prototype
Characteristic length 24.38
Velocity 60 /
Viscosity 1.789 10 .
Density 1.225 /
Speed of sound 275 / 340 /

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Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Example 3 – Cryogenic Wind Tunnel

For the Mach numbers to be the same:

or
275
60 48.5 /
340
Equating Reynolds numbers:
or
1.225 60 24.38
1.002 10
1.789 10
Using correlation in Appendix K:
1.2 10 .

Geometric, Kinematic and Dynamic Similarity

Example 3 – Cryogenic Wind Tunnel
Density of cryogen nitrogen using ideal gas law:
9.32 /

.
1.002 10 2.66 vs 3.26
. .
In textbook, the value was erroneously multiplied by the prototype density.
Ratio of forces equivalence of Eu numbers:

9.32 48.5 2.66

. 0.06
1.225 60 24.38

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Dimensionless Groups

Biot modulus

Fourier modulus

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