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13 views

Froud Number

Uploaded by

mzohaibanwar309
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Froude Number (Fr): Definition and Significance

The Froude number (FrFrFr) is a dimensionless quantity used in fluid mechanics to describe the
relationship between inertial and gravitational forces in open channel flow. It plays a critical role
in determining the behavior of fluid flow, particularly distinguishing between different flow
regimes: supercritical, subcritical, and critical.

Formula for Froude Number

The Froude number is given by:

Fr=Vg⋅LFr = \frac{V}{\sqrt{g \cdot L}}Fr=g⋅LV

Where:

• VVV: Flow velocity (m/s\text{m/s}m/s)

• ggg: Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s29.81 \, \text{m/s}^29.81m/s2)

• LLL: Characteristic length or hydraulic depth, often represented as DhD_hDh (typically


flow depth for open channels)

In open channel hydraulics, the Froude number is commonly expressed as:

Fr=Vg⋅yFr = \frac{V}{\sqrt{g \cdot y}}Fr=g⋅yV

Where:

• yyy: Flow depth (m\text{m}m).

Interpretation of Froude Number

1. Subcritical Flow (Fr<1Fr < 1Fr<1):

o Gravity dominates, and the flow is slow and tranquil.

o Wave propagation is possible both upstream and downstream.

o Example: Flow in large rivers or deep reservoirs.

2. Critical Flow (Fr=1Fr = 1Fr=1):

o Inertial forces balance gravitational forces.

o Flow is at its maximum efficiency for energy transfer.

o Wave speed equals the flow velocity, so disturbances are stationary relative to the
flow.

3. Supercritical Flow (Fr>1Fr > 1Fr>1):

o Inertia dominates, and the flow is fast and shallow.

o Waves cannot propagate upstream; disturbances are carried downstream.

o Example: Flow over a spillway or in steep mountain streams.


Applications of Froude Number

1. Hydraulic Jump Analysis:

o Used to predict and analyze transitions between supercritical and subcritical


flows.

2. Flow Classification:

o Helps design and assess hydraulic systems like canals, weirs, spillways, and open
channel flow structures.

3. Modeling in Hydrodynamics:

o Aids in scaling physical models using dynamic similarity (ensuring Froude


similarity between prototype and model).

4. Ship and Ocean Engineering:

o Determines wave resistance and energy dissipation around ship hulls.

Practical Example of Froude Number Calculation

Suppose:

• Flow velocity (VVV) = 3 m/s

• Hydraulic depth (yyy) = 1.2 m

Fr=39.81⋅1.2Fr = \frac{3}{\sqrt{9.81 \cdot 1.2}}Fr=9.81⋅1.23 Fr=311.772=33.43≈0.87Fr =


\frac{3}{\sqrt{11.772}} = \frac{3}{3.43} \approx 0.87Fr=11.7723=3.433≈0.87

Interpretation:

• Since Fr<1Fr < 1Fr<1, the flow is subcritical.

Would you like further details on real-world applications, more examples, or visualization of
Froude number effects?

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