Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Technique which makes use of the study of dimensions as an aid to the
solution of several engineering problems.
Here each phenomenon is expressed as an equation comprising of
dimensional and non-dimensional quantities.
To study the performance characteristics of turbo machines, a large number
of variables are involved. The use of dimensional analysis reduces the
variables to a number of manageable dimensional groups. Usually, the
properties of interest in regard to turbo machine are the power output, the
efficiency, and the head.
Dimensional analysis applied to turbo machines has two more important
uses: (1) prediction of a prototype’s performance from tests conducted on a
scale model (similitude), and (2) determination of the most suitable type of
machine, on the basis of maximum efficiency, for a specified range of head,
speed, and flow rate.
APPLICATION TO FLUID MECHANICS
t 2
l
V 2 gH
g
N P
Ns 5/ 4
H
METHOD OF DIMENSIONAL
HOMOGENEITY
Rayleigh method
Used for determining the expresion for a variable which
depends upon maximum 3 or 4 variables.
X = f (X1,X2,X3)
We express this equation in the exponential form
X=C(X1a.X2b.X3c), C is dimensional constant
We determine a,b,c on the basis that the equation is
dimensionally homogeneous
t= K*Lagb, on solving the equation we get b=-1/2 & a=1/2
therefore L
t K
g
RAYLEIGH’S METHOD
Power developed by a pump P depends on the head
H, discharge Q and specific weight w of the fluid.
P=K*HaQbwc
P= work done/time= [ML2T-3]
H=[L]
Q=area * velocity= [LT-3]
w(sp.weight)= weight/volume= Force/volume=[ML-2T-2]
a=1, b=1, c=1
P=KHQw
BUCKINGHAM π-METHOD
Rayleigh’s method becomes more laborious if
number of fundamental quantities are more.
So in this method we reduce the number of
dimensional variables into number of dimensionless
groups
This method states that if any phenomenon is
controlled by n physical variables containing m
fundamental dimensions (M,L,T,θ), then the
relationship among the physical variables can be
expressed in terms of (n-m) dimensionless and
independent terms, known as π-terms.
BUCKINGHAM π-METHOD
Efficiency of a fan η depends on density ρ, dynamic
viscosity μ of the fluid, angular velocity ω, diameter
D of the rotor and discharge Q. Express η in terms of
dimensionless parameters.
Step 1: List and count the ‘n’ physical variables involved.
η= f(ρ,μ,ω,D,Q) or f1(η,ρ,μ,ω,D,Q)=0 hence n= 6
Step 2: Calculate the fundamental dimension ‘m’
η- dimensionless, ρ- [ML-3], μ- [ML-1T-1], ω- [T-1], D- [L],
Q- [L3,T-1] HENCE m=3
BUCKINGHAM π-METHOD
Step 3: Number of π-terms = n – m = 6 – 3 =3 therefore
f1(π1,π2,π3)=0. Each π-term contains (m+1) variables. Number of
repeating variables should be m (=3).
Step 4: Choosing repeating variables
Dependent variable should not be used as the repeating variable
Geometric variable, flow variable and variable involving fluid property
should be used.
Repeating variables should not form a dimensionless group and should not
have the same dimensions.
Repeating variables together should have the same number of fundamental
dimensions ( m=3)
D ( geometric variable ), ω ( flow variable ), ρ ( flow property variable )
BUCKINGHAM π-METHOD
D = [L], ω = [T-1], ρ = [ML-3] π1
= Da1ωb1ρc1η , π2 = Da2ωb2ρc2μ , π3 = Da3ωb3ρc3Q
π1= η ; π2 = μ/(D2ωρ) ; π3 = Q/(D3ω)
f1(π1,π2,π3)=0 or f1(η , μ/(D2ωρ) , Q/(D3ω) ) =0