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Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

This document discusses similitude and dimensional analysis in fluid mechanics. It introduces Buckingham Pi's method for dimensional analysis, which states that any dimensionally homogeneous relationship between physical variables can be written in terms of a set of dimensionless pi groups. The number of pi groups needed is equal to the number of variables minus the number of fundamental dimensions. The document provides an example of applying this method to determine the dimensionless groups governing pressure drop in a pipe flow. It also outlines the general steps for using the Buckingham Pi method to determine dimensionless groups from physical relationships.

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Franz Santos
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232 views14 pages

Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

This document discusses similitude and dimensional analysis in fluid mechanics. It introduces Buckingham Pi's method for dimensional analysis, which states that any dimensionally homogeneous relationship between physical variables can be written in terms of a set of dimensionless pi groups. The number of pi groups needed is equal to the number of variables minus the number of fundamental dimensions. The document provides an example of applying this method to determine the dimensionless groups governing pressure drop in a pipe flow. It also outlines the general steps for using the Buckingham Pi method to determine dimensionless groups from physical relationships.

Uploaded by

Franz Santos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Similitude and

Dimensional Analysis
FLDMEOH – Fluid Mechanics
Engr. Franz D. Santos
OUTLINE
 Similitude and Dimensional Analysis

 Apply Buckingham Pi’s Method for Dimensional


Analysis

 Generate dimensionless numbers related to the


application of Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Basic Principles
 Many practical engineering problems involving fluid mechanics
can be solved by using the equations and analytical procedures
described in the preceding chapters

 But there remain a large number of problems that rely on


experimentally obtained data for their solution.

 the concept of similitude is often used so that measurements


made on one system for example, in the laboratory, can be used
to describe the behavior of other similar systems outside the
laboratory.
Dimensional Analysis
 To illustrate a typical fluid mechanics problem in
which experimentation is required, consider the steady
flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through a
long, smooth-walled, horizontal, circular pipe.

 An interest of the Engineer would be to design the


pipe with consideration to the PRESSURE DROP per
unit of length that develops in the pipe due to friction.
Dimensional Analysis
 The first step of planning of an experiment to study
the problem would be selecting the factors or variables
which have an effect on the pressure drop per unit
length.

 We expect the list to include the pipe diameter, D, the


fluid density, fluid viscosity, , and the mean velocity, v,
at which the fluid is flowing through the pipe. Thus,
we can express this relationship as

∆𝑷𝒍 = 𝒇(𝑫, 𝝆, 𝝁, 𝒗)
 To perform the
experiments in a
meaningful and
systematic manner,
it would be
necessary to change
one of the variables,
such as the velocity,
while holding all
others constant, and
measure the
corresponding
pressure drop.
Dimensional Analysis
To reduce the difficulties, we can
collect these into two nondimensional
combinations of variables called
dimensionless products or dimensionless
groups so that

The relationship now can be easily


plotted as shown in the figure:
Dimensional Analysis
A fundamental question we must answer is how many dimensionless
products are required to replace the original list of variables? The
answer to this question is supplied by the basic theorem of
dimensional analysis that states the following:

 The dimensionless products are frequently referred to as “pi


terms,” and the theorem is called the Buckingham pi theorem
Example Continued
 Dimensions: [Dp]=ML-2T-2,
[D]=L,
[r]=ML-3,
[m]=ML-1T-1,
[V]=LT-1

 I can combine these to form two dimensionless numbers

 (DDp)/(rV2) and (rVD)/(m)

 Therefore we can say (DDp)/(rV2) = F(rVD/m)

 We don’t know F, but we can look for it in data…..


Buckingham Pi Theorem
 In an equation involving k variables is dimensionally
homogeneous, it can be reduced to a relationship
among k-r independent dimensionless products where
r is the minimum number of reference dimensions
required to describe the variables

 Mathematically

can be reduced to
Determination of Pi terms
 List all variables that are involved in the problem

 Express each on in terms of primary dimensions

 Determine required number of Pi terms (each independent) – i.e. k-r

 Select a number of repeating variables (equal to number of


dimensions)

 Form pi terms by multiplying one of the non-repeating variables by


the product of repeating variables

 Repeat last step for all non-repeating variables

 Check that all resulting Pi terms are dimensionless

 Express in final form


Determination of Pi terms
SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. Consider the pressure drop in a steady flow of an incompressible
Newtonian fluid through a long, smooth-walled, horizontal, circular pipe
with diameter D. The fluid has a density 𝜌, moving at a velocity v and
has a dynamic viscosity of 𝜇.

Prove that
SAMPLE PROBLEM
2. A fluid flow situation depends on velocity V, the
density 𝜌, the diameter of the pipe D, gravity g, viscosity
𝜇, surface tension 𝜎, and bulk modulus of elasticity K.
a. Derive by Buckingham Pi Method the Reynold’s
Number.
𝝆𝑽𝑫
𝑵𝑹 =
𝝁

a. Derive by Buckingham Pi Method the Mach Number.

𝑽
𝑴=
𝑲/𝝆

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