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9 Buckingham 01

The document covers the Buckingham Pi Theorem and its application to dimensional analysis and modeling. It states that any equation with physical quantities can be written in terms of dimensionless pi terms using repeating variables. Examples are provided for determining pi terms and similarity requirements for different fluid mechanics problems involving pipes

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Mohit Bhandwal
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
638 views25 pages

9 Buckingham 01

The document covers the Buckingham Pi Theorem and its application to dimensional analysis and modeling. It states that any equation with physical quantities can be written in terms of dimensionless pi terms using repeating variables. Examples are provided for determining pi terms and similarity requirements for different fluid mechanics problems involving pipes

Uploaded by

Mohit Bhandwal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
Dimensional Analysis

It is used to determine the equation is right or wrong.

The calculation is depends on the unit or dimensional


conditions of the equations.

For example;
F=ma
F=MLT-2
Unit : F=kg.m/s

1
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Buckingham Pi Theorem

If 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.

For example, the function of G can be written as ;

G(π1, π2, π3, ……., πk-r)=0


Or
π1=G(π2, π3, π4, ……., πk-r)=0

The dimensionless products are frequently referred to


as “pi terms”, and the theorem is called the
Buckingham Pi Theorem.

Buckingham used the symbol П to represent a


dimensionless product, and this notation is commonly
used.

2
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

To summarize, the steps to be followed in performing


a dimensional analysis using the method of repeating
variables are as follows :

Step 1 List all the variables that are involved in the


problem.
Step2 Express each of the variables in terms of
basic dimensions.
Step 3 Determine the required number of pi terms.
Step 4 Select a number of repeating variables,
where the number required is equal to the
number of reference dimensions. (usually the
same as the number of basic dimensions)
Step 5 Form the pi term by multiplying one of the
nonrepeating variables by the product of
repeating variables each raised to an
exponent that will make the combination
dimensionless.
Step 6 Repeat step 5 for each of the remaining
nonrepeating variables.
Step 7 Check all the resulting pi terms to make sure
they are dimensionless.
Step 8 Express the final form as a relationship
among the pi terms and think about what it
means.

3
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Selection of Variables

One of the most important, and difficult, steps in


applying dimensional analysis to any given problem
is the selection of the variables that are involved.

For most engineering problems (including areas


outside fluid mechanics), pertinent variables can be
classified into three groups – geometry, material
properties and external effects.

Geometry :
The geometry characteristics can be usually be
described by a series of lengths and angles.
Example: length [L]

Material properties :
More relates to the kinematic properties of fluid
particles.
Example: velocity [LT-1]

External effects :
This terminology is used to denote any variable that
produces, or tends to produce, a change in the system.
For fluid mechanics, variables in this class would be
related to pressure, velocities, or gravity.
(combination of geometry and material properties)
Example: force [MLT-2]

4
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Common Dimensionless Groups in Fluid Mechanics

5
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

items Problems

Reynolds number Flow in pipe.

Froude number Flow of water around ship.


Flow through rivers or open
conduits.

Euler number Pressure problems.


Pressure difference between two
points.

Cauchy number Fluid compressibility.

Mach number Fluid compressibility.

Strouhal number Unsteady, oscillating flow.

Weber number Interface between two fluid.


Surface tension problems.

6
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Modeling and Similitude

Models are widely used in fluid mechanics.

Major engineering projects involving structures,


aircraft, ships, rivers, harbor, and so on, frequently
involve the used of models.

A model (engineering model) is a representation of a


physical system that may be 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 the prototype.

Usually a model is smaller than the prototype.


Therefore, it is more easily handled in the laboratory
and less expensive to construct and operate than a
large prototype.

However, if the prototype is very small, it may be


advantageous to have a model that is larger than a
prototype so that it can be more easily studied.

7
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

8
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

9
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

MODELING AND SIMILITUDE


Models are widely used in fluid mechanics.

Major engineering projects involving structures,


aircrafts, ships, rivers, harbor, and so on, frequently
involve the use of models.

A model is a representation of a physical system that


may be used to predict the behavior of the system in
some desire respect.

The physical system for which the predictions are to


be made is called the prototype.

1
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Theory of Models

The theory of models can be readily developed by


using the principles of dimensional analysis.
Π1 = φ (Π 2 , Π 3 ,......, Π n )

If above equation describes the behavior of a


particular prototype, a similar relationship can be
written for a model of this prototype, that is,
Π1m = φ (Π 2 m , Π 3m ,......, Π nm )

Pi terms, without a subscript will refer to the


prototype.

The subscript m will be used to designate the model


variables or pi terms.

The pi terms can be developed so that Π1 contains the


variable that is to be predicted from observations
made on the model. Therefore, if the model is
designed and operated under the following
conditions,
Π2m=Π2 , Π3m=Π3 , …, Πnm=Πn …… Eq.(1)

Then with the presumption that the form of φ is the


same for model and prototype, it follows that,
Π1=Π1m …… Eq.(2)

2
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Equation (2) is the desired prediction equation and


indicates that the measured value of Π1m obtained
with the model will be equal to the corresponding Π1
for the prototype as long as the other pi terms are
equal.

The conditions specified by equation (1) provide the


model design conditions, also called similarity
requirements or modeling laws.

3
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Model scales

We will take the ratio of the model value to the


prototype value as the scale.

Length scales are often specified.

1
For example, as 1:10 or as a 10
scale model.

The meaning of this specification is that the model is


one-tenth the size of the prototype, and the tacit
assumption is that all relevant lengths are scaled
accordingly, so the model is geometrically similar to
the prototype.

There are, however, other scales such as the ;


Vm
Velocity scale, V
ρm
Density scale, ρ
µm
Viscosity scale, µ
And so on.

4
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Models for which one or more similarity


requirements are not satisfied are called distorted
models.

Models for which all similarity requirements are met


are called true models.

5
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

TUTORIAL FOR
BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
EXAMPLE 1
Verify the Reynolds number is dimensionless, using
both the FLT system and MLT system for basic
dimensions. Determine its value for ethyl-alcohol
flowing at a velocity of 3m/s through a 5cm diameter
pipe.

EXAMPLE 2
At a sudden contraction in a pipe the diameter
changes from D1 to D2. The pressure drop, ∆P, which
develops across the contraction, is a function of D1
and D2, as well as the velocity, V, in the larger pipe,
and the fluid density, ρ, and viscosity, µ. Use D1, V
and µ as repeating variables to determine a suitable
set of dimensionless parameters. Why it be incorrect
to include the velocity in the smaller pipe as an
additional variables.

1
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

EXAMPLE 3

Figure 1

Water sloshes back and forth in a tank as shown in


Figure 1. The frequency of sloshing, ω, is assumed to
be a function of the acceleration of gravity, g, the
average depth of the water, h, and the length of the
tank, l. Develop a suitable set of dimensionless
parameters for this problem using g and l as repeating
variables.

EXAMPLE 4
Assume that the flowrate, Q, of a gas from a
smokestack is a function of the density of ambient air,
ρa, the density of the gas, ρg, within the stack, the
acceleration of gravity, g, and the height and diameter
of the stack, h and d, respectively. Use ρa, d and g as
repeating variables to develop a set of pi terms that
could be used to describe this problem.

2
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

EXAMPLE 5

Figure 2

a) The water flowrate, Q, in an open rectangular


channel can be measured by placing a plate across
the channel as shown in Figure 2. This type of a
device is called a weir. The height of the water, H,
above the weir crest is referred to as the head and
can be used to determine the flowrate through the
channel. Assume that Q is a function of the head,
H, the channel width, b, and the acceleration of
gravity, g. Determine a suitable set of
dimensionless variables for this problem.
b) In some laboratory tests, it was determined that if
b=0.9m and H=10cm, then Q=0.07m3/s. Based on
these limited data, determine a general equation for
the flowrate over this type of weir.

3
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

TUTORIAL FOR
BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
Question 1

a) The pressure rise, ∆P, generated by a pump


depends on the impeller diameter, D, its rotational
speed, N, the fluid density, ρ and viscosity, µ and
the rate of discharge, Q. Show that the relationship
between these variables may be expressed as :

⎡ Q ρND 2 ⎤
∆P = ρN D φ ⎢2 2
, ⎥
⎣ ND 3
µ ⎦

b) A given pump rotates at a speed of 1000rev/min,


and its duty point it generates a head of 12m when
pumping water at a rate of 15 liter per second.
Calculate the head generated by a similar pump,
twice the size, when operating under dynamically
similar conditions and discharging 45 liter per
second. The influence of Reynolds number is
negligible.

1
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Question 2

Kenaikan kapilari, h, untuk suatu cecair dalam tiub


berubah menurut diameter tiub, d, pecutan gravity, g,
ketumpatan bendalir, ρ, ketegangan permukaan, σ dan
sudut sentuh, θ.

a) Dengan menggunakan kaedah Teorem Buckingham


Pi, tentukan kumpulan tanpa dimensi Pi yang
menghubungkan kesemua parameter yang
disebutkan.

b) Dalam ujikaji pertama, kenaikan kapilari ialah


h=3cm. Dalam ujikaji yang lain, diameter tiub dan
ketegangan permukaan bendalir adalah separuh
daripada ujikaji pertama sementara ketumpatan
bendalir pula adalah dua kali ganda. Sudut sentuh
untuk kedua-dua ujikaji ini adalah sama. Tentukan
nilai h untuk ujikaji kedua.

2
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Question 3

a) Kesusutan tekanan, ∆P, untuk aliran likat mantap


dan tidak boleh mampat dalam paip lurus
mengufuk dipengaruhi oleh panjang paip, l, halaju
purata, U, kelikatan, µ, diameter paip, D,
ketumpatan bendalir, ρ dan kekasaran dalaman, ε.
Dengan menggunakan kaedah Buckingham Pi,
tentukan kumpulan-kumpulan tidak berdimensi
yang menghubungkan parameter-parameter ini.

b) Sebatang paip berdiameter 40cm mengalirkan


minyak (s=0.86, µ=10-1Pa.s). Jika keadaan ini
diulang dalam makmal dengan menggunakan air
(µ=10-3Pa.s) dan paip berdiameter 50mm dari jenis
yang serupa, tentukan halaju air yang setara jika
minyak mengalir pada halaju 10m/s.

3
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

TUTORIAL FOR SIMILARITY

Question 1

Carbon tetrachloride flows with a velocity of 0.30m/s


through a 30mm diameter tube. A model of this
system is to be developed using standard air tube as
the model fluid. The air velocity is to be 2m/s. What
tube diameter is required for the model if dynamic
similarity is to be maintained between model and
prototype?

Question 2

The flowrate over the spillway of a dam is


1000m3/min. Determine the required flowrate for a
1:25 scale model that is operated.

1
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Question 3

For a certain fluid flow problem it is known that both


the Froude number and Weber number are important
dimensionless parameters. If the problem is to be
studied by using a 1:15 scale model, determine the
required surface tension scale if the density scale is
equal to 1. The model and prototype operate in the
same gravitational field.

2
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Question 4

Figure 1

Water flowing under the obstacle shown in Figure 1


puts a vertical force, Fv, on the obstacle. This force is
assumed to be a function of the flowrate, Q, the
density of water, ρ, the acceleration of gravity, g, and
a length l, that characterized the size of obstacle. A
1/20 scale model is to be used to predict the vertical
force on the prototype.

a) Perform a dimensional analysis for this problem.


b) If the prototype flowrate is 30m3/s, determine the
water flowrate for the model if the flows are to be
similar.
c) If the model force is measured as (Fv)m=80N,
predict the corresponding force on the prototype.

3
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Question 5

Figure 2

The pressure rise, ∆P, across a blast wave, as shown


in Figure 2 is assumed to be a function of the amount
of energy released in the explosion, E, the air density,
ρ, the speed of sound, c, and the distance from the
blast, d.
a) Put this relationship in dimensionless form.
b) Consider two blast; the prototype blast with energy
release E and a model blast with 1/1000 the energy
release (Em=0.001E). At what distance from the
model blast will the pressure rise be the same as
that at a distance of 2 km from the prototype blast?

4
Chapter 9 – Buckingham Pi Theorem

Question 6

Wind blowing past a flag causes it to flutter in the


breeze. The frequency of this fluttering, ω, is
assumed to be a function of the wind speed, V, the air
density, ρ, the acceleration of gravity, g, the length of
the flag, L, and the area density, ρA (with dimensions
of ML-2) of the flag material. It is desired to predict
the flutter frequency of a large L=12m flag in a
V=9m/s wind. To do this a model flag with L=1.5m is
to be tested in a wind tunnel.

a) Determine the required area density of the model


flag material if the large flag has a ρA=0.07kg/m2.
b) What wind tunnel velocity is required for testing
the model?
c) If the model flag flutters at 6Hz, predict the
frequency for the large flag.

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