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Lecture 38: Buckingham Pi-Theorem: Module 11: Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

This document discusses dimensional analysis and Buckingham Pi-theorem. It explains that dimensional analysis is used to scale processes using dimensionless groups rather than conducting experiments for all conditions. As an example, it examines drag on a sphere falling in water and shows how the drag force can be written as a function of the Reynolds number. It then introduces Buckingham Pi-theorem, which states that for a system with n variables, n-k dimensionless groups can be formed that the process depends on, where k is the number of fundamental dimensions. The document provides an example applying the theorem to derive drag on a sphere as a function of the Reynolds number.

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27 views

Lecture 38: Buckingham Pi-Theorem: Module 11: Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

This document discusses dimensional analysis and Buckingham Pi-theorem. It explains that dimensional analysis is used to scale processes using dimensionless groups rather than conducting experiments for all conditions. As an example, it examines drag on a sphere falling in water and shows how the drag force can be written as a function of the Reynolds number. It then introduces Buckingham Pi-theorem, which states that for a system with n variables, n-k dimensionless groups can be formed that the process depends on, where k is the number of fundamental dimensions. The document provides an example applying the theorem to derive drag on a sphere as a function of the Reynolds number.

Uploaded by

ebrahem_sahil5188
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 11: Dimensional analysis and similitude Lecture 38: Buckingham Pi-theorem

Dimensional analysis and similitude Buckingham Pi-theorem

file:///D|/Web%20Course/Dr.%20Nishith%20Verma/local%20server/fluid_mechanics/lecture38/38_1.htm[5/9/2012 3:43:44 PM]

Objectives_template

Module 11: Dimensional analysis and similitude Lecture 38: Buckingham Pi-theorem Dimensional analysis and similitude
In many engineering applications, scale-up or scale-down of a chemical process or equipment is frequently required. It is not practical to conduct experiments for all conditions of a process to predict the data. The dimensional analysis is a commonly employed technique to scale-up or down a process, and also, predict the results for different conditions. As an example, consider drag on a sphere falling in stagnant water. If Reynolds number based on the particle size is less than 1, drag can be theoretically calculated as Alternatively, we can write a general symbolic equation based on our experience: . A few experiments may also be conducted to gain insight into numerical values for F. It is easy to show that is a dimensionless quantity, which can be interpreted as the

force per unit kinetic energy per unit cross-sectional area. Realizing that Reynolds number has a mechanistic role to play on the drag, one can write

This is the basis of the dimensional analysis. We now introduce Buckingham Pi-theorem, a very popular technique to obtain a mathematical expression for a complex problem:

file:///D|/Web%20Course/Dr.%20Nishith%20Verma/local%20server/fluid_mechanics/lecture38/38_2.htm[5/9/2012 3:43:44 PM]

Objectives_template

Module 11: Dimensional analysis and similitude Lecture 38: Buckingham Pi-theorem Buckingham Pi-theorem
Consider n' number of independent variables for a physical option: Or

The theorem may be interpreted to state that one can form groups of variables so that

independent dimensionless are the dimensionless

groups, and M (mass), L (length) and T (time) are the primary dimensions used to describe the system. For some systems, angle may also be taken as a primary group, for which one can have (n-4) independent dimensionless groups. We explain the utility of this method in the following examples: 1. Reconsider the previous example of drag on a sphere immersed in a flowing fluid. From the physics of the problem, the independent variables that govern the drag are identified as . Therefore,

As per the Buckingham Pi-theorem, the number of dimensionless groups that can be formed is

.
Therefore, Or Choose,

file:///D|/Web%20Course/Dr.%20Nishith%20Verma/local%20server/fluid_mechanics/lecture38/38_3.htm[5/9/2012 3:43:45 PM]

Objectives_template

Module 11: Dimensional analysis and similitude Lecture 38: Buckingham Pi-theorem

Note that there are there repeat variables

and two nonrepeat variables

Choice of selecting repeat variables is often arbitrary. Therefore,

Substitute and equate dimensions of For

Solve to obtain Therefore, Similarly, for

Solve to obtain Therefore,

Or

where

The exact form of h is found by experiment

file:///D|/Web%20Course/Dr.%20Nishith%20Verma/local%20server/fluid_mechanics/lecture38/38_4.htm[5/9/2012 3:43:45 PM]

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