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Chapter 7

There are three necessary conditions for complete similarity between a physical model and full-scale prototype: (1) geometric similarity, where the model and prototype have the same shape but different scales; (2) kinematic similarity, where flow velocities are proportional between corresponding points; and (3) dynamic similarity, where forces scale by the same constant factor. Dimensional analysis uses nondimensional parameters (Π groups) to achieve similarity and predict prototype performance from model tests. The method of repeating variables is commonly used to systematically generate Π groups from the problem variables.

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15 views

Chapter 7

There are three necessary conditions for complete similarity between a physical model and full-scale prototype: (1) geometric similarity, where the model and prototype have the same shape but different scales; (2) kinematic similarity, where flow velocities are proportional between corresponding points; and (3) dynamic similarity, where forces scale by the same constant factor. Dimensional analysis uses nondimensional parameters (Π groups) to achieve similarity and predict prototype performance from model tests. The method of repeating variables is commonly used to systematically generate Π groups from the problem variables.

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swatesh0123
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BDA20603

CHAPTER 7
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
AND SIMILARITY
DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
Dimension: A measure of a physical quantity (without numerical values).
Unit: A way to assign a number to that dimension.
There are seven primary dimensions (also called fundamental or basic
dimensions): mass, length, time, temperature, electric current, amount of
light, and amount of matter.
All nonprimary dimensions can be formed by some combination of the
seven primary dimensions.

A dimension is a measure of a
physical quantity without
numerical values, while a unit is
a way to assign a number to the
dimension. For example, length
is a dimension, but centimeter
is a unit.
2
3
The water strider
is an insect that
can walk on water
due to surface
tension. 4
DIMENSIONAL HOMOGENEITY
The law of dimensional homogeneity: Every additive
term in an equation must have the same dimensions.

Total energy
of a system
at state 1
and at state
2.

You can’t add apples and oranges!


5
An equation that is
not dimensionally
homogeneous is a
sure sign of an error.
6
The Bernoulli equation is a
good example of a
dimensionally homogeneous
equation. All additive terms,
including the constant, have
the same dimensions,
namely that of pressure. In
terms of primary dimensions,
each term has dimensions
{m/(t2L)}.
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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
In most experiments, to save time and money, tests are performed on a
geometrically scaled model, rather than on the full-scale prototype.
In such cases, care must be taken to properly scale the results. We introduce
here a powerful technique called dimensional analysis.
The three primary purposes of dimensional analysis are
• To generate nondimensional parameters that help in the design of experiments
(physical and/or numerical) and in the reporting of experimental results
• To obtain scaling laws so that prototype performance can be predicted from
model performance
• To (sometimes) predict trends in the relationship between parameters
The principle of similarity
Three necessary conditions for complete similarity between a model and a
prototype.
(1) Geometric similarity—the model must be the same shape as the prototype,
but may be scaled by some constant scale factor.
(2) Kinematic similarity—the velocity at any point in the model flow must be
proportional (by a constant scale factor) to the velocity at the corresponding
point in the prototype flow.
9
(3) dynamic similarity—When all forces in the model flow scale by a
constant factor to corresponding forces in the prototype flow (force-scale
equivalence).

Kinematic similarity is
achieved when, at all
locations, the speed in the
model flow is proportional to
that at corresponding
locations in the prototype
flow, and points in the same
direction.

In a general flow field, complete similarity between a model and prototype is


achieved only when there is geometric, kinematic, and dynamic similarity.
10
We let uppercase Greek letter Pi () denote a nondimensional parameter.
In a general dimensional analysis problem, there is one  that we call the
dependent , giving it the notation 1.
The parameter 1 is in general a function of several other ’s, which we call
independent ’s.

To ensure complete similarity, the model and prototype must be geometrically


similar, and all independent groups must match between model and prototype.

To achieve similarity

11
The Reynolds number Re is formed by
the ratio of density, characteristic
speed, and characteristic length to
viscosity. Alternatively, it is the ratio of
characteristic speed and length to
Geometric similarity between a kinematic viscosity, defined as  =/.
prototype car of length Lp and a model
car of length Lm.

The Reynolds number is the most well known and useful


dimensionless parameter in all of fluid mechanics.
12
A drag balance is a device used
in a wind tunnel to measure the
aerodynamic drag of a body.
When testing automobile models,
a moving belt is often added to
the floor of the wind tunnel to
simulate the moving ground (from
the car’s frame of reference).
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A drag balance is a device used
in a wind tunnel to measure the
aerodynamic drag of a body.
When testing automobile models,
a moving belt is often added to
the floor of the wind tunnel to
simulate the moving ground (from
the car’s frame of reference).
15
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If a water tunnel is used instead of a wind tunnel to test their one-fifth
scale model, the water tunnel speed required to achieve similarity is

One advantage of a water tunnel


is that the required water tunnel
speed is much lower than that
required for a wind tunnel using
the same size model (354 km/h
for air and 25.7 km/h for water) .

Similarity can be achieved


even when the model fluid
is different than the
prototype fluid. Here a
submarine model is tested
in a wind tunnel. 18
THE METHOD OF REPEATING VARIABLES
AND THE BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
How to generate the
nondimensional parameters, i.e.,
the ’s?
There are several methods that
have been developed for this
purpose, but the most popular
(and simplest) method is the
method of repeating variables.

A concise summary of
the six steps that
comprise the method of
repeating variables. 19
20
Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Setup for dimensional analysis of


a ball falling in a vacuum.
Elevation z is a function of time t,
initial vertical speed w0, initial
elevation z0, and gravitational
constant g. 21
Step 5

22
The mathematical
It is wise to choose The  groups that result from the
rules for adding
common parameters as method of repeating variables are
and subtracting
repeating parameters since guaranteed to be dimensionless
exponents during
they may appear in each of because we force the overall
multiplication and
your dimensionless  exponent of all seven primary
division,
groups. dimensions to be zero.
respectively.
23
Step 6

The method of repeating variables cannot predict


the exact mathematical form of the equation.

A quick check of
your algebra is
always wise.
24
The pressure inside a
soap bubble is greater
than that surrounding
the soap bubble due to
surface tension in the
soap film.
25
If the method of repeating
variables indicates zero
’s, we have either made
an error, or we need to
reduce j by one and start
over.

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27
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29
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Oftentimes when performing the method
of repeating variables, the most difficult
part of the procedure is choosing the
repeating parameters. With practice,
however, you will learn to choose these
parameters wisely.

32
A parameter that is
dimensionless (like an
angle) is already a
nondimensional  all by
itself—we know this 
without doing any further
algebra.

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Although the Darcy friction
factor for pipe flows is most
common, you should be
aware of an alternative, less
common friction factor called
the Fanning friction factor.
The relationship between the
two is f = 4Cf . 36
37
Guidelines for choosing Repeating Variables

• Never pick the dependent variable.


• Never pick parameters that are already dimensionless.
• Never pick two parameters with the same dimensions or with
dimensions that differ by only an exponent.
• Chosen repeating parameters must represent all the primary
dimensions.
• Pick simple parameters over complex parameters whenever possible.
• Chosen repeating parameters must not by themselves be able to form
a dimensionless group.

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