Lecture Notes

Fluid Mechanics

Lecture #04 – Dimensional and

Model Analysis
Lecture #04A – Dimensional Analysis

First Semester 2023

Dar es salaam Maritime Institute

Marine Engineering Department
By Eng. Anna Msongela (Msc.)
 Lecture Outline
4.1 Dimensional Analysis Introduction
4.2 Dimensions
4.3 Dimensional Homogeneity
4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis

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 4.1 Dimensional Analysis Introduction
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.
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 4.1 Dimensional Analysis Introduction
It is based on the principle of dimensional
homogeneity and uses the dimensions of relevant
variables affecting the phenomenon.
Dimensional analysis has become an important
tool for analysing fluid flow problems.
It is specially useful in presenting experimental
results in a concise form.

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 4.1 Dimensional Analysis Introduction
Uses of dimensional analysis:
The uses of dimensional analysis may be
summarised 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 non-
dimensional 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 analyse the
complex fluid flow phenomenon.
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 4.1 Dimensional Analysis Introduction
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.
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 4.1 Dimensional Analysis Introduction
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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 4.2 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.).

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 4.2 Dimensions
 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 4.1 gives the dimensions of various quantities used
in both the systems.

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 4.2 Dimensions

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 Example 4.1
Determine the dimensions of the following quantities:
(i) Discharge,
(ii) Kinematic viscosity,
(iii) Force and,
(iv) Specific weight

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 Example 4.1

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 4.3 Dimensional Homogeneity
 A physical equation is the relationship between two or
more physical quantities.
 Any correct equation expressing a physical relationship
between quantities must be dimensionally homogeneous
(according to Fourier’s principle of dimensional
homogeneity) and numerically equivalent.
 Dimensional homogeneity states that every term in an
equation when reduced to fundamental dimensions must
contain identical powers of each dimension.

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 4.3 Dimensional Homogeneity
 A dimensionally homogeneous equation is applicable to
all systems of units.
 In a dimensionally homogeneous equation, only quantities
having the same dimensions can be added, subtracted or
equated. Let us consider the equation:

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 4.3 Dimensional Homogeneity
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.
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 Example 4.2
Determine the Dimensions of E in the dimensionally
homogeneous Einstein's equation

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 Example 4.2
.

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 4.4 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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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.1 Rayleigh’s method
 This method gives a special form of relationship among
the dimensionless groups, and has the inherent drawback
that it does not provide any information regarding the
number of dimensionless groups to be obtained as a result
of dimensional analysis.
 Due to this reason this method has become obsolete and is
not favoured for use.
 Rayleigh’s method is used for determining the expression
for a variable which depends upon maximum three or four
variables only.
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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.1 Rayleigh’s method
 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 is a variable which depends on ; the functional
equation can be written as:

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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.1 Rayleigh’s method
 In the above equation is a dependent variable, while 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. (4.1) can also be written as:

 where, is a constant and ,... are the arbitrary powers.

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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.1 Rayleigh’s method
 The values of 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 4.3
Find an expression for the drag force on smooth sphere of
diameter , moving with a uniform velocity in a fluid density
and dynamic viscosity

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 Example 4.3
 There are four unknowns (a, b, c, d) but equations are
three in number.
 Therefore, it is not possible to find the values of a, b, c
and d.
 However, three of them can be expressed in terms of
fourth variable which is most important.
 Here the role of viscosity is vital one and hence a, b, c are
expressed in terms of d (i.e. power to viscosity)

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 Example 4.3
.

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 Example 4.4
The efficiency of a fan depends on the density the dynamic
viscosity of the fluid, the angular velocity diameter D of the
rotor and the discharge
Express in terms of dimensionless parameters.

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 Example 4.4
.

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 Example 4.4
.

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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
 When a large number of physical variables are involved
Rayleigh’s method of dimensional analysis becomes
increasingly laborious and cumbersome.
 Buckingham’s method is an improvement over Rayleigh’s
method.
 Buckingham designated the dimensionless group by the
Greek capital letter
 It is therefore often called Buckingham π-method.
 The advantage of this method over Rayleigh’s method is
that it lets us know, in advance, of the analysis, as to how
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dimensionless groups are to be expected.
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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
Buckingham’s π-theorem states as follows:
“If there are n variables (dependent and independent
variables) in a dimensionally homogeneous equation and if
these variables contain m fundamental dimensions (such as
M, L, T, etc.) then the variables are arranged into (n-m)
dimensionless terms. These dimensionless terms are called
π-terms.”
Mathematically, if any variable , depends on independent
variables, , , , .... ; the functional equation may be written as:

… . .. . …(4.3)
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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
 Equation 4.3 can also be written as:

… … .. . …(4. 4 )
 It is a dimensionally homogeneous equation and contains
n variables. If there are fundamental dimensions, then
according to Buckingham’s , it [eqn. (4.4)] can be written
in terms of number of π-terms (dimensionless groups) in
which number of π-terms is equal to (n-m). Hence, eqn.
(4.4) becomes as
… … .. . …(4. 5)
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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
 Each dimensionless π-term is formed by combining m
variables out of the total n variables with one of the
remaining variables i.e. each π-term contains variables.
 These variables which appear repeatedly in each of π-
terms are consequently called repeating variables and are
chosen from among the variables such that they together
involve all the fundamental dimensions and they
themselves do not form a dimensionless parameter

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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
. Let in the above case , and are the repeating variables if
the fundamental dimensions , then each term is written as:

… … .. . …(4. 6)

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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
 Where etc. are the constants, which are determined by
considering dimensional homogeneity.
 These values are substituted in eqn. (4.6) and values of , ,
.... are obtained.
 These values of π’s are substituted in eqn. (4.5).
 The final general equation for the phenomenon may then
be obtained by expressing anyone of the π-terms as a
function of the other as

… … .. . …(4. 7)
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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
Selection of repeating variables:
 The following points should be kept in view while
selecting repeating variables:
1. repeating variables must contain jointly all the fundamental
dimensions involved in the phenomenon. Usually the fundamental
dimensions are M, L and T. However, if only two dimensions are
involved, there will be 2 repeating variables and they must contain
together the two dimensions involved.
2. The repeating variables must not form the non-dimensional
parameters among themselves.
3. As far as possible, the dependent variable should not be selected as
repeating variable.
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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.2 Buckingham’s π-Method/Theorem
Selection of repeating variables:
4. No two repeating variables should have the same dimensions.
5. The repeating variables should be chosen in such a way that one
variable contains geometric property (e.g. ), other variable contains
flow property (e.g. .) and third variable contains fluid property (e.g.
mass density, ; weight density, dynamic viscosity, etc.).
-The choice of repeating variables, in most of fluid mechanics
problems, may be:

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

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 Example
Step 2. Selection of repeating variables:
 Out of six variables three variables (as ) are to be selected
as repeating variables. is a dependent variable and should
not be selected as a repeating variable.
 Out of the remaining five variables one variable should
have geometric property, second should have flow
property and third one should have fluid property; these
requirements are met by selecting as repeating variables.
 The repeating variables themselves should not form a
dimensionless term and must contain jointly all
fundamental dimensions equal to i.e. 3 here.

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 Example
 Dimensions of are and hence the three fundamental
dimensions exist in and also no dimensionless group is
formed by them

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example
Using Buckingham’s π-theorem, show that the velocity
through a circular orifice is given by

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 4.4 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
4.4.3. Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
1. Dimensional analysis does not give any clue regarding the
selection of variables. If the variables are wrongly taken, the
resulting functional relationship is erroneous.
-It provides the information about the grouping of variables. In order
to decide whether selected variables are pertinent or superfluous
experiments have to be performed.
2. The complete information is not provided by dimensional analysis; it
only indicates that there is some relationship between parameters. It
does not give the values of co-efficients in the functional relationship.
- The values of co-efficients and hence the nature of functions can be
obtained only from experiments or from mathematical analysis

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-End-PART 1

Thank You

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