NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Module 6 : Lecture 1
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
(Part I)
Overview
Many practical flow problems of different nature can be solved by using equations
and analytical procedures, as discussed in the previous modules. However, solutions
of some real flow problems depend heavily on experimental data and the refinements
in the analysis are made, based on the measurements. Sometimes, the experimental
work in the laboratory is not only time-consuming, but also expensive. So, the
dimensional analysis is an important tool that helps in correlating analytical results
with experimental data for such unknown flow problems. Also, some dimensionless
parameters and scaling laws can be framed in order to predict the prototype behavior
from the measurements on the model. The important terms used in this module may
be defined as below;
Dimensional Analysis: The systematic procedure of identifying the variables in a
physical phenomena and correlating them to form a set of dimensionless group is
known as dimensional analysis.
Dimensional Homogeneity: If an equation truly expresses a proper relationship among
variables in a physical process, then it will be dimensionally homogeneous. The
equations are correct for any system of units and consequently each group of terms in
the equation must have the same dimensional representation. This is also known as
the law of dimensional homogeneity.
Dimensional variables: These are the quantities, which actually vary during a given
case and can be plotted against each other.
Dimensional constants: These are normally held constant during a given run. But,
they may vary from case to case.
Pure constants: They have no dimensions, but, while performing the mathematical
manipulation, they can arise.

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Let us explain these terms from the following examples:

- Displacement of a free falling body is given as, S = S0 + V0t +

1 2
gt , where, V0 is the
2

initial velocity, g is the acceleration due to gravity, t is the time, S and S0 are the
final and initial distances, respectively. Each term in this equation has the dimension
of length [ L ] and hence it is dimensionally homogeneous. Here, S and t are the
dimensional variables, g , S0 and V0 are the dimensional constants and

1
arises due
2

to mathematical manipulation and is the pure constant.

- Bernoullis equation for incompressible flow is written as,

1
C . Here,
+ V 2 + gz =
2

p is the pressure, V is the velocity, z is the distance, is the density and g is the
acceleration due to gravity. In this case, the dimensional variables are p, V and z , the
dimensional constants are g , and C and

1
is the pure constant. Each term in this
2

equation including the constant has dimension of L2 T 2 and hence it is

dimensionally homogeneous.

Buckingham pi Theorem
The dimensional analysis for the experimental data of unknown flow problems leads
to some non-dimensional parameters. These dimensionless products are frequently
referred as pi terms. Based on the concept of dimensional homogeneity, these
dimensionless parameters may be grouped and expressed in functional forms. This
idea was explored by the famous scientist Edgar Buckingham (1867-1940) and the
theorem is named accordingly.
Buckingham pi theorem, states that if an equation involving k variables is
dimensionally homogeneous, then 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 variable. For a physical system, involving k
variables, the functional relation of variables can be written mathematically as,

y = f ( x1 , x2 .........., xk )

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(6.1.1)

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

In Eq. (6.1.1), it should be ensured that the dimensions of the variables on the left side
of the equation are equal to the dimensions of any term on the right side of equation.
Now, it is possible to rearrange the above equation into a set of dimensionless
products (pi terms), so that

1 = ( 2 , 3 .........., k r )

(6.1.2)

Here, ( 2 , 3 .........., k r ) is a function of 2 through k r . The required number

of pi terms is less than the number of original reference variables by r . These
reference dimensions are usually the basic dimensions M , L and T (Mass, Length
and Time).

Determination of pi Terms
Several methods can be used to form dimensionless products or pi terms that arise in
dimensional analysis. But, there is a systematic procedure called method of repeating
variables that allows in deciding the dimensionless and independent pi terms. For a
given problem, following distinct steps are followed.
Step I: List out all the variables that are involved in the problem. The variable is any
quantity including dimensional and non-dimensional constants in a physical situation
under investigation. Typically, these variables are those that are necessary to describe
the geometry of the system (diameter, length etc.), to define fluid properties
(density, viscosity etc.) and to indicate the external effects influencing the system
(force, pressure etc.). All the variables must be independent in nature so as to
minimize the number of variables required to describe the complete system.
Step II: Express each variable in terms of basic dimensions. Typically, for fluid
mechanics problems, the basic dimensions will be either M , L and T or F , L and T .
Dimensionally, these two sets are related through Newtons second law ( F = m.a ) so
that F = MLT 2 e.g. = ML3 or = FL4T 2 . It should be noted that these basic
dimensions should not be mixed.
Step III: Decide the required number of pi terms. It can be determined by using
Buckingham pi theorem which indicates that the number of pi terms is equal to

( k r ) , where

k is the number of variables in the problem (determined from Step I)

and r is the number of reference dimensions required to describe these variables

(determined from Step II).

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Step IV: Amongst the original list of variables, select those variables that can be
combined to form pi terms. These are called as repeating variables. The required
number of repeating variables is equal to the number of reference dimensions. Each
repeating variable must be dimensionally independent of the others, i.e. they cannot
be combined themselves to form any dimensionless product. Since there is a
possibility of repeating variables to appear in more than one pi term, so dependent
variables should not be chosen as one of the repeating variable.
Step V: Essentially, the pi terms are formed by multiplying one of the non-repeating
variables by the product of the repeating variables each raised to an exponent that will
make the combination dimensionless. It usually takes the form of xi x1a x2b x3c where
the exponents a, b and c are determined so that the combination is dimensionless.
Step VI: Repeat the Step V for each of the remaining non-repeating variables. The
resulting set of pi terms will correspond to the required number obtained from Step
III.
Step VII: After obtaining the required number of pi terms, make sure that all the pi
terms are dimensionless. It can be checked by simply substituting the basic dimension

( M , L and T ) of the variables into the pi terms.

Step VIII: Typically, the final form of relationship among the pi terms can be written
in the form of Eq. (6.1.2) where, 1 would contain the dependent variable in the
numerator. The actual functional relationship among pi terms is determined from
experiment.

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Illustration of Pi Theorem
Let us consider the following example to illustrate the procedure of determining the
various steps in the pi theorem.
Example (Pressure drop in a pipe flow)
Consider a steady flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through a long,
smooth walled, horizontal circular pipe. It is required to measure the pressure drop per
unit length of the pipe and find the number of non-dimensional parameters involved
in the problem. Also, it is desired to know the functional relation among these
dimensionless parameters.
Step I: Let us express all the pertinent variables involved in the experimentation
of pressure drop per unit length ( pl ) of the pipe, in the following form;

pl =
f ( D, , , V )

(6.1.3)

where, D is the pipe diameter, is the fluid density, is the viscosity of the fluid
and V is the mean velocity at which the fluid is flowing through the pipe.
Step II: Next step is to express all the variables in terms of basic dimensions i.e.

M , L and T . It then follows that

p=
ML2T 2 ; D= L; = ML3 ; = ML1T 1 ; V= LT 1
l

(6.1.4)

Step III: Apply Buckingham theorem to decide the number of pi terms required. There
are five variables (including the dependent variable pl ) and three reference
dimensions. Since,
=
k 5=
and r 3 , only two pi terms are required for this problem.
Step IV: The repeating variables to form pi terms, need to be selected from the list

D, , and V . It is to be noted that the dependent variable should not be used as

one of the repeating variable. Since, there are three reference dimensions involved, so
we need to select three repeating variable. These repeating variables should be
dimensionally independent, i.e. dimensionless product cannot be formed from this set.
In this case, D, and V may be chosen as the repeating variables.
Step V: Now, first pi term is formed between the dependent variable and the repeating
variables. It is written as,
1 =pl D a V b c

(6.1.5)

Since, this combination need to be dimensionless, it follows that

( ML

T 2

) ( L ) ( LT ) ( ML )
a

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= M 0 L0T 0

(6.1.6)

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

The exponents a, b and c must be determined by equating the exponents for each of
the terms M , L and T i.e.
For M : 1 + c =
0
For L : 2 + a + b 3c =
0
For T : 2 b =
0

(6.1.7)

1; b =
2; c =
1 . Therefore,
The solution of this algebraic equations gives a =
p D
1 = l 2
V

(6.1.8)

The process is repeated for remaining non-repeating variables with other additional
variable ( ) so that,
2 = .D d .V e . f

(6.1.9)

Since, this combination need to be dimensionless, it follows that

( ML T ) ( L ) ( LT ) ( ML )
1

= M 0 L0T 0

(6.1.10)

Equating the exponents,

For M : 1 + f =
0
For L : 1 + d + e 3 f =0
For T : 1 e =0

(6.1.11)

1; e =
1; f =
1 . Therefore,
The solution of this algebraic equation gives d =
2 =

(6.1.12)

VD

Step VI: Now, the correct numbers of pi terms are formed as determined in Step III.
In order to make sure about the dimensionality of pi terms, they are written as,

pl D
=
1
=
V 2
=
2

=
V D

L)
( ML T ) (=
M LT
( ML )( LT )
)
( ML T ) ( L=
M LT
( ML )( LT ) ( L )
2

0 0

0 0

(6.1.13)

Step VII: Finally, the result of dimensional analysis is expressed among the pi terms
as,

D pl
1
=
=

2
V
Re
V D
It may be noted here that Re is the Reynolds number.

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(6.1.14)

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Remarks
- If the difference in the number of variables for a given problem and number of
reference dimensions is equal to unity, then only one Pi term is required to describe
the phenomena. Here, the functional relationship for the one Pi term is a constant
quantity and it is determined from the experiment.

1 =Constant

(6.1.15)

- The problems involving two Pi terms can be described such that

1 = ( 2 )

(6.1.16)

Here, the functional relationship among the variables can then be determined by
varying 2 and measuring the corresponding values of 1 .

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Module 6 : Lecture 2
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
(Part II)
Non Dimensional numbers in Fluid Dynamics
Forces encountered in flowing fluids include those due to inertia, viscosity, pressure,
gravity, surface tension and compressibility. These forces can be written as follows;
dV
V 2 L2
dt
du
=
V L
A A
Viscous force:
dy
m.a V
=
Inertia force:

Pressure force: ( p ) A ( p ) L2

(6.2.1)

Gravity force: m g g L3
Surface tension force: L
Compressibility force: Ev A Ev L2
The notations used in Eq. (6.2.1) are given in subsequent paragraph of this section. It
may be noted that the ratio of any two forces will be dimensionless. Since, inertia
forces are very important in fluid mechanics problems, the ratio of the inertia force to
each of the other forces listed above leads to fundamental dimensionless groups.
Some of them are defined as given below;
Reynolds number ( Re ) : It is defined as the ratio of inertia force to viscous force.
Mathematically,

Re
=

VL VL
=

(6.2.2)

where V is the velocity of the flow, L is the characteristics length, , and are
the density, dynamic viscosity and kinematic viscosity of the fluid respectively. If
Re is very small, there is an indication that the viscous forces are dominant compared

to inertia forces. Such types of flows are commonly referred to as creeping/viscous

flows. Conversely, for large Re , viscous forces are small compared to inertial effects
and such flow problems are characterized as inviscid analysis. This number is also
used to study the transition between the laminar and turbulent flow regimes.

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Euler number ( Eu ) : In most of the aerodynamic model testing, the pressure data are
usually expressed mathematically as,
Eu =

(6.2.3)

1
V 2
2

where p is the difference in local pressure and free stream pressure, V is the
velocity of the flow, is the density of the fluid. The denominator in Eq. (6.2.3) is
called dynamic pressure. Eu is the ratio of pressure force to inertia force and many
a times the pressure coefficient ( c p ) is a also common name which is defined by same
manner. In the study of cavitations phenomena, similar expressions are used where,

p is the difference in liquid stream pressure and liquid-vapour pressure. This

dimensional parameter is then called as cavitation number.
Froude number ( Fr ) : It is interpreted as the ratio of inertia force to gravity force.
Mathematically, it is written as,

Fr =

V
g .L

(6.2.4)

where V is the velocity of the flow, L is the characteristics length descriptive of the
flow field and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This number is very much
significant for flows with free surface effects such as in case of open-channel flow. In
such types of flows, the characteristics length is the depth of water. Fr less than unity
indicates sub-critical flow and values greater than unity indicate super-critical flow. It
is also used to study the flow of water around ships with resulting wave motion.
Weber number (We ) : It is defined as the ratio of the inertia force to surface tension
force. Mathematically,

We =

V 2 L

(6.2.5)

where V is the velocity of the flow, L is the characteristics length descriptive of the
flow field, is the density of the fluid and is the surface tension force. This
number is taken as an index of droplet formation and flow of thin film liquids in
which there is an interface between two fluids. The inertia force is dominant
compared to surface tension force when, We 1 (e.g. flow of water in a river).

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Mach number

(M ) :

It is the key parameter that characterizes the compressibility

effects in a fluid flow and is defined as the ratio of inertia force to compressibility
force. Mathematically,
M=

V
=
c

V
=
dp
d

V
Ev

(6.2.6)

where V is the velocity of the flow, c is the local sonic speed, is the density of the
fluid and Ev is the bulk modulus. Sometimes, the square of the Mach number is
called Cauchy number ( Ca ) i.e.
2
Ca M
=
=

V 2
Ev

(6.2.7)

Both the numbers are predominantly used in problems in which fluid compressibility
is important. When, M a is relatively small (say, less than 0.3), the inertial forces
induced by fluid motion are sufficiently small to cause significant change in fluid
density. So, the compressibility of the fluid can be neglected. However, this number is
most commonly used parameter in compressible fluid flow problems, particularly in
the field of gas dynamics and aerodynamics.
Strouhal number ( St ) : It is a dimensionless parameter that is likely to be important in
unsteady, oscillating flow problems in which the frequency of oscillation is and is
defined as,

St =

L
V

(6.2.8)

where V is the velocity of the flow and L is the characteristics length descriptive of
the flow field. This number is the measure of the ratio of the inertial forces due to
unsteadiness of the flow (local acceleration) to inertia forces due to changes in
velocity from point to point in the flow field (convective acceleration). This type of
unsteady flow develops when a fluid flows past a solid body placed in the moving
stream.

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

In addition, there are few other dimensionless numbers that are of importance
in fluid mechanics. They are listed below;
Parameter Mathematical expression Qualitative definition Importance

cp

Prandtl number

Pr =

Eckert number

Ec =

Specific heat ratio

k
V2
c p T0

cp
cv

Roughness ratio

Dissipation
Conduction

Heat convection

Kinetic energy
Enthalpy

Dissipation

Enthalpy
Internal energy

Compressible flow

Wall roughness
Body length

Turbulent rough walls

( T ) g L3 2 Buoyancy
Viscosity
2

Grashof number

Gr =

Temperature ratio

Tw
T0

Pressure coefficient

Cp =

Static pressure
p p
2
(1 2 ) V Dynamic pressure

CL =

L
(1 2 ) A V 2

Lift force
Dynamic force

Hydrodynamics,Aero

D
(1 2 ) A V 2

Drag force
Dynamic force

Hydrodynamics,

Wall temperature
Stream temperature

Natural onvection
Heat transfer

Hydrodynamics,

Aerodynamics
Lift coefficient

dynamics
Drag coefficient

CD =

Aero dynamics

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Modeling and Similitude

A model is a representation of a physical system which is used to predict the
behavior of the system in some desired respect. The physical system for which the
predictions are to be made is called prototype. Usually, a model is smaller than the
prototype so that laboratory experiments/studies can be conducted. It is less expensive
to construct and operate. However, in certain situations, models are larger than the
prototype e.g. study of the motion of blood cells whose sizes are of the order of
micrometers. Similitude is the indication of a known relationship between a model
and prototype. In other words, the model tests must yield data that can be scaled to
obtain the similar parameters for the prototype.

Theory of models: The dimensional analysis of a given problem can be described in

terms of a set of pi terms and these non-dimensional parameters can be expressed in
functional forms;

1 = ( 2 , 3 ,.......... n )

(6.2.9)

Since this equation applies to any system, governed by same variables and if the
behavior of a particular prototype is described by Eq. (6.2.9), then a similar
relationship can be written for a model.

1m = ( 2 m , 3m ,.......... nm )

(6.2.10)

The form of the function remains the same as long as the same phenomenon is
involved in both the prototype and the model. Therefore, if the model is designed and
operated under following conditions,

2m =
2 ; 3m =
3 ............ and nm =
n

(6.2.11)

Then it follows that

1 =1m

(6.2.12)

Eq. (6.2.12) is the desired prediction equation and indicates that the measured value
of 1m obtained with the model will be equal to the corresponding 1 for the
prototype as long as the other pi terms are equal. These are called model design
conditions / similarity requirements / modeling laws.

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Flow Similarity
In order to achieve similarity between model and prototype behavior, all the
corresponding pi terms must be equated to satisfy the following conditions.

Geometric similarity: A model and prototype are geometric similar if and only if all
body dimensions in all three coordinates have the same linear-scale ratio. In order to
have geometric similarity between the model and prototype, the model and the
prototype should be of the same shape, all the linear dimensions of the model can be
related to corresponding dimensions of the prototype by a constant scale factor.
Usually, one or more of these pi terms will involve ratios of important lengths, which
are purely geometrical in nature.

Kinematic similarity: The motions of two systems are kinematically similar if

homogeneous particles lie at same points at same times. In a specific sense, the
velocities at corresponding points are in the same direction (i.e. same streamline
patterns) and are related in magnitude by a constant scale factor.

Dynamic similarity: When two flows have force distributions such that identical types
of forces are parallel and are related in magnitude by a constant scale factor at all
corresponding points, then the flows are dynamic similar. For a model and prototype,
the dynamic similarity exists, when both of them have same length-scale ratio, timescale ratio and force-scale (or mass-scale ratio).
In order to have complete similarity between the model and prototype, all the
similarity flow conditions must be maintained. This will automatically follow if all
the important variables are included in the dimensional analysis and if all the
similarity requirements based on the resulting pi terms are satisfied. For example, in
compressible flows, the model and prototype should have same Reynolds number,
Mach number and specific heat ratio etc. If the flow is incompressible (without free
surface), then same Reynolds numbers for model and prototype can satisfy the
complete similarity.

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Model scales
In a given problem, if there are two length variables l1 and l2 , the resulting
requirement based on the pi terms obtained from these variables is,
l1m l2 m
= = l
l1
l2

(6.2.13)

This ratio is defined as the length scale. For true models, there will be only one
length scale and all lengths are fixed in accordance with this scale. There are other

model scales such as velocity scale m = v , density scale m = , viscosity

V

scale m = etc. Each of these scales needs to be defined for a given problem.

Distorted models
In order to achieve the complete dynamic similarity between geometrically similar
flows, it is necessary to reproduce the independent dimensionless groups so that
dependent parameters can also be duplicated (e.g. same Reynolds number between a
model and prototype is ensured for dynamically similar flows).
In many model studies, dynamic similarity may also lead to incomplete similarity
between the model and the prototype. If one or more of the similarity requirements
are not met, e.g. in Eq. 6.2.9, if 2 m 2 , then it follows that Eq. 6.2.12 will not be
satisfied i.e. 1 1m . It is a case of distorted model for which one or more of the
similar requirements are not satisfied. For example, in the study of free surface flows,

Vl
both Reynolds number
and Froude number

are involved. Then,

gl

Froude number similarity requires,

Vm
V
=
g m lm
gl

(6.2.14)

If the model and prototype are operated in the same gravitational field, then the
velocity scale becomes,

Vm
=
V

lm
=
l

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(6.2.15)

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NPTEL Mechanical Principle of Fluid Dynamics

Reynolds number similarity requires,

m .Vm .lm .V .l
=
m

(6.2.16)

Then, the velocity scale is,

Vm m l
=
. .
m lm
V

(6.2.17)

Since, the velocity scale must be equal to the square root of the length scale, it follows
that

m
=

m )
( m =
( )

lm 2
=

( l ) 2

(6.2.18)

Eq. (6.2.18) requires that both model and prototype to have different kinematics
viscosity scale. But practically, it is almost impossible to find a suitable fluid for the
model, in small length scale. In such cases, the systems are designed on the basis of
Froude number with different Reynolds number for the model and prototype where
Eq. (6.2.18) need not be satisfied. Such analysis will result a distorted model and
there are no general rules for handling distorted models, rather each problem must be
considered on its own merits.

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