Dimensional Analysis in Fluid Mechanics

Introduction
Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool used in fluid mechanics to understand and predict the
behavior of fluid flow systems.
The basic principle of dimensional analysis is that the behavior of physical systems can often be
described by dimensionless parameters, which are ratios of relevant physical quantities.
Dimensionless parameters allow us to collapse complex relationships into simpler forms and identify
similarities between different systems.
In fluid mechanics, dimensionless parameters play a crucial role in understanding fluid flow
phenomena such as drag, lift, and turbulence.
Definition
Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique which makes use of the study of the dimensions for
solving several engineering problems. It is a powerful tool used in fluid mechanics to understand and
predict the behavior of fluid flow systems.
Dimensionless parameters are ratios of physical quantities with the same units, resulting in a value that is
independent of the system's scale.
 Importance and the uses of Dimensional Analysis in Fluid Mechanics
Uses
To test the dimensional homogeneity of any equation of fluid motion
To derive rational formulae for a flow phenomenon
To derive equations expressed in terms of nondimensional parameters to show the
relative significance of each parameter
Importance
Physical Understanding
Simplification of Equations
Generalization of Results
Experimental Design
Predictive Capabilities
Optimization
Classification of Flow Regimes
 Advantages of Dimensional Analysis
1. It expresses the functional relationship between the variables in dimensionless terms.
2. In hydraulic model studies it reduces the number of variables involved in a physical
phenomenon, generally by three.
3. By the proper selection of variables, the dimensionless parameters can be used to
make certain logical deductions about the problem.
4. Design curves, by the use of dimensional analysis, can be developed from experimental
data or direct solution of the problem.
5. It enables getting up a theoretical equation in a simplified dimensional form.
6. Dimensional analysis provides partial solutions to the problems that are too complex
to be qdealt with mathematically.
7. The conversion of units of quantities from one system to another is facilitated
 Dimensions- Fundamental or Primary and Derive quantity
The fundamental quantities are mass, length, time and temperature, designated by the letters, M, L, T, θ
respectively.
Derived or secondary quantities, (e.g., velocity, area, acceleration etc.). The expression for a derived
quantity in terms of the primary quantities is called the dimension of the physical quantity.
Example Determine the dimensions of the following quantities: (i) Discharge, (ii) Kinematic viscosity
Basic Concept of Dimensional Analysis in Fluid Mechanics
 Applications of Dimensional Homogeneity
The principle of homogeneity proves useful in the following ways:
1. It facilitates to determine the dimensions of a physical quantity.
2. It helps to check whether an equation of any physical phenomenon is dimensionally
homogeneous or not.
3. It facilitates conversion of units from one system to another.
4. It provides a step towards dimensional analysis which is fruitfully employed to plan experiments and
to present the results meaningfully
Importance
Validity of Equations
Dimensional Analysis
 Basic Concept of Dimensional Analysis in Fluid Mechanics
Dimensional consistency
. This requires all terms in an equation to have the same units (dimensions). In other words, each term in
an equation must represent the same physical quantity and be expressed in compatible units for the
equation to be valid.
Example:
Consider the equation for Newton's second law of motion:
F = ma
where:
F is the force acting on an object,
m is the mass of the object, and
a is the acceleration of the object.
To check for dimensional consistency:
The dimension of force (F) is [MLT −2].
The dimension of mass (m) is [M].
The dimension of acceleration (a) is [LT −2].
The term ‘ma’ has dimensions of [MLT −2], which matches the dimensions of force. Therefore, the equation is
dimensionally consistent.
 Basic Concept of Dimensional Analysis in Fluid Mechanics
Dimensional constants
. Dimensional constants are physical quantities that possess specific dimensions and values that remain constant
across different systems or contexts. These constants are inherent to the physical properties of the universe and
play a crucial role in various equations and theories in physics and engineering, including fluid mechanics.
Examples of Dimensional Constants:
Speed of Light (c): c is a fundamental constant in physics with dimensions of length divided by time [LT −1], Its value
in a vacuum is approximately 3×108 meters per second. While it is most commonly associated with electromagnetic
phenomena, its dimensionality makes it relevant in various fluid flow problems involving electromagnetic
interactions.
Gravitational Constant (G): G is a fundamental constant in physics with dimensions of length cubed divided by mass
and time squared [L3M−1T−2]. Its value is approximately 6.674×10 −11 cubic meters per kilogram per second squared. In
fluid mechanics, gravitational forces are crucial in various contexts such as buoyancy and natural convection.
Planck's Constant (h): ℎ is a fundamental constant in quantum mechanics with dimensions of energy multiplied by
time [ML2T−1]. Its value is approximately 6.626×10−34 joule seconds. While its direct relevance to classical fluid
mechanics may be limited, its dimensionality is significant in understanding quantum fluid phenomena.
Boltzmann Constant (k): k is a constant in statistical mechanics with dimensions of energy divided by temperature
[ML2T−2K−1]. Its value is approximately 1.381×10−23 joules per kelvin. In fluid mechanics, it appears in various contexts,
such as the expression of molecular velocity in kinetic theory and the definition of temperature scales.
 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
With the help of dimensional analysis the equation of a physical phenomenon can be developed
in terms of dimensionless groups or parameters and thus reducing the number of variables. The
methods of dimensional analysis are:
1. Rayleigh’s method 2. Buckingham’s π-method
3. Bridgman’s method 4. Matrix-tensor method
5. By visual inspection of the variables involved
6. Rearrangement of differential equations.
Rayleigh’s method is used for determining the expression for a variable which depends upon
maximum three or four variables only. In case the number of independent variables becomes
more than four, then it is very difficult to find the expression for the dependent variable. In this
method a functional relationship of some variables is expressed in the form of an exponential
equation which must be dimensionally homogeneous. Thus if X is a variable which depends on
X1, X2, X3, ...Xn; the functional equation can be written as:
X = f (X1, X2, X3, ..... Xn) ...(1)
In the above equation X is a dependent variable, while X1, X2, X3, ....Xn are independent
variables. A dependent variable is the one about which information is required while
independent variables are those which govern the variation of dependent variable. Eqn. (1) can
also be written as:
Example
The resistance force R of a supersonic plane during flight can be considered as dependent upon the
length of the aircraft l, velocity V, air viscosity µ, air density ρ and bulk modulus of air K. Express the
functional relationship between these variables and the resisting force.
 A partially submerged body is towed in water. The resistance R to its motion depends on the density ρ,
the viscosity µ of water, length l of the body, velocity V of the body and acceleration due to gravity. Show
that the resistance to motion can be expressed in the form
Dimensionless Parameters
Dimensionless Parameters
Dimensionless Parameters
Calculate the Reynolds number for airflow over an airfoil with a chord length of 0.2
meters at a velocity of 50 meters per second. The dynamic viscosity of air is
1.81×10−5Pa•s, and the density of air is 1.225kg/m³.
Solution:
Given:
Chord length of the airfoil (L) = 0.2 m
Velocity of air (V) = 50 m/s
Dynamic viscosity of air (μ) = 1.81×10−5Pa•s
Density of air (ρ) = 1.225 kg/m³
ᵰᵄᵃ
ᵄᵅ =
ᵰ
1000ᵆ50ᵆ0.2
Substituting the given values: ᵄᵅ = 1.81ᵆ10 − 5

Re ≈ 6773
So, the Reynolds number for this airflow over the airfoil is approximately 6773