Usama Alameedy, Ph.D.

Petroleum Engineering Dept.

University of Baghdad
2nd Class
Fluid Mechanic

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 Dimension, Dimensional homogeneity and units:
Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique which makes use of the study of the dimensions for solving
several engineering problems.

• Each physical phenomenon can be expressed by an equation giving relationship between different
quantities, such quantities are dimensional and non-dimensional.
• Dimensional analysis helps in determining a systematic arrangement of the variables in the physical
relationship, combining dimensional variables to form non-dimensional parameters.
• Dimensional analysis has become an important tool for analyzing fluid flow problems. It is specially
useful in presenting experimental results in a concise form.
Uses of dimensional analysis: The uses of dimensional analysis may be summarized as follows:
1. To test the dimensional homogeneity of any equation of fluid motion.
2. To derive rational formulae for a flow phenomenon.
3. To derive equations expressed in terms of nondimensional parameters to show the relative significance of
each parameter.
4. To plan model tests and present experimental results in a systematic manner, thus making it possible to
analyze the complex fluid flow phenomenon.
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 Dimension, Dimensional homogeneity and units:

Advantages of dimensional analysis: Dimensional analysis entails the following advantages:

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 dealt with
mathematically.
7. The conversion of units of quantities from one system to another is facilitated.
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 DIMENSIONS

The various physical quantities used in fluid phenomenon can be expressed in terms of
fundamental quantities or primary quantities.
• The fundamental quantities are mass, length, time and temperature, designated by the letters, M, L, T, θ
respectively. Temperature is specially useful in compressible flow.
• The quantities which are expressed in terms of the fundamental or primary quantities are called 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.
• A quantity may either be expressed dimensionally in M-L-T or F-L-T system (some engineers prefer to use
force instead of mass as fundamental quantity because the force is easy to measure).

Table gives the dimensions of various quantities used in both the systems.
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 DIMENSIONAL HOMOGENEITY
• Any correct equation expressing a physical relationship between quantities must be dimensionally
homogeneous and numerically equivalent.
• Dimensional homogeneity states that every term in an equation when reduced to fundamental dimensions
must contain identical powers of each dimension.
p = wh

∴ Equation p = wh is dimensionally homogeneous; so it can be used in any system of units.

Applications of Dimensional Homogeneity:
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.

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Solution. Since the expression is dimensionally homogeneous, the term should be dimensionless

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 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 based on the Fourier’s principle of homogeneity.
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.

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 Rayleigh’s method
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.

The 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) ..
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.

where, C is a constant and a, b, c,... are the arbitrary powers. The values of a, b, c,... n are obtained by
comparing the powers of the fundamental dimensions on both sides. Thus the expression is obtained
for dependent variable.

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Example: The efficiency η of a fan depends on the density ρ, the dynamic viscosity μ of the fluid, the angular
velocity ω, diameter D of the rotor and the discharge Q. Express η in terms of dimensionless parameters.

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Example: The efficiency η of a fan depends on the density ρ, the dynamic viscosity μ of the fluid, the angular
velocity ω, diameter D of the rotor and the discharge Q. Express η in terms of dimensionless parameters.

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 HW
20

21

22

23

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 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
"Dimensional Homogeneous Equation"
• Involves n variables with m fundamental dimensions.
• Variables are arranged into (n-m) dimensionless terms.
• These terms are called π-terms.
can be written in terms of number of π-terms (dimensionless
groups) in which number of π-terms is equal to (n-m).

"Repeating Variables in π-Terms"

• m variables repeatedly appearing in π-terms. where a 1, b1, c1;
• Include all fundamental dimensions. a2, b2, c2 etc. are
the constants,
• X2, X3, X4 are repeating variables.
• Fundamental dimensions m (M, L, T) = 3.
• Each term is represented as:
Selection of Repeating Variables in Phenomena
• Ensure m repeating variables contain all fundamental dimensions of the phenomenon.
• Avoid forming non-dimensional parameters among repeating variables.
• Avoid selecting the dependent variable as a repeating variable.
• Avoid having two repeating variables with the same dimensions.
• Choose variables with geometric, flow, and fluid properties.
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 Example
The resistance R experienced by a partially submerged body depends upon the velocity V, length of the body l,
viscosity of the fluid µ, density of the fluid ρ and gravitational acceleration g. Obtain a dimensionless expression for R.

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 Example
The resistance R experienced by a partially submerged body depends upon the velocity V, length of the body l,
viscosity of the fluid µ, density of the fluid ρ and gravitational acceleration g. Obtain a dimensionless expression for R.

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 Example
The resistance R experienced by a partially submerged body depends upon the velocity V, length of the body l,
viscosity of the fluid µ, density of the fluid ρ and gravitational acceleration g. Obtain a dimensionless expression for R.

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 Example
The resistance R experienced by a partially submerged body depends upon the velocity V, length of the body l,
viscosity of the fluid µ, density of the fluid ρ and gravitational acceleration g. Obtain a dimensionless expression for R.

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 Example
The resistance R experienced by a partially submerged body depends upon the velocity V, length of the body l,
viscosity of the fluid µ, density of the fluid ρ and gravitational acceleration g. Obtain a dimensionless expression for R.

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