BES 108 - FLUID MECHANICS

Dimensional Analysis and Similitude: Dimensional Analysis. Buckingham Pi

Theorem. Dimensionless Numbers. Similitude

University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

ELWIN JAY J. TANO

Introduction
➢Because of the complexity of fluid mechanics, the design of many fluid systems
relies heavily on experimental results. Tests are typically carried out on a
subscale model, and the results are extrapolated to the full-scale system
(prototype).
➢Dimensional analysis is the process of grouping of variables into significant
dimensionless groups, thus reducing problem complexity.
➢Similitude (Similarity) is the process by which geometric and dynamic
parameters are selected for the subscale model so that meaningful
correspondence can be made to the full size prototype.

2
Buckingham 𝚷 Theorem
➢In 1915 Buckingham showed that the number of independent dimensionless
groups (dimensionless parameters) can be reduced from a set of variables in
each process is 𝑛 − 𝑚, where 𝑛 is the number of variables involved, and 𝑚 is the
number of basic dimensions included in the variables.
➢Buckingham referred to the dimensionless groups as Π, which is the reason the
theorem is called the Π theorem.
➢Henceforth dimensionless groups will be referred to as Π-groups.
➢If the equation describing a physical system has n dimensional variables and is
expressed as
𝒚𝟏 = 𝒇(𝒚𝟐 , 𝒚𝟑 , … , 𝒚𝒏 )
➢Then it can be rearranged and expressed in terms of (𝑛 − 𝑚) Π-groups as
𝚷𝟏 = 𝒇𝟏 (𝚷𝟐 , 𝚷𝟑 , … , 𝚷𝒏−𝒎 )
3
Examples
P1. If there are five variables (𝐹, 𝑉, 𝜌, 𝜇, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷) to describe the drag on a sphere
and three basic dimensions (𝐿, 𝑀, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇) are involved. By the Buckingham Π
theorem, there will be 5 − 3 = 2 Π-groups that can be used to correlate
experimental results in the form.

Solution:

𝑭 = 𝒇(𝑽, 𝝆, 𝝁, 𝑫)
𝝅𝟏 = 𝒇(𝝅𝟐 )

4
Dimensional Analysis
➢Dimensional analysis is the process used to obtain the Π-groups.
➢Two methods can be performed: (1) step-by-step method, and (2) exponent
method
The Step-by-step Method
1. List the variable along with their dimensions in the first and second columns
2. Choose a variable to combine new variables and to eliminate a dimension from
the new formed variables. List these in the next columns.
3. If the resulting dimensions is zero (dimensionless), stop the process.
4. Else, choose another variable from the previous column to form new variables
and to eliminate that dimension.
5. Repeat as necessary to arrive at dimensionless group.
5
6
Examples
P2. There are three significant variables for a body falling in a vacuum (no viscous
effects): the velocity 𝑉, the acceleration due to gravity 𝑔, and the distance through
which the body falls ℎ. Find the 𝜋-groups using the step-by-step method.

Solution:
The variables involved in this example are 𝑛 = 3 (𝑉, 𝑔, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ) dimension of these
variable in terms of the basic dimensions are:
𝑉 = 𝐿/𝑇
𝑔 = 𝐿/𝑇 2
ℎ =𝐿
Take note that brackets means the dimension of the variable contained between
the brackets
7
Examples
P2. There are three significant variables for a body falling in a vacuum (no viscous
effects): the velocity 𝑉, the acceleration due to gravity 𝑔, and the distance through
which the body falls ℎ. Find the 𝜋-groups using the step-by-step method.

Solution:
• The number of basic dimension that appear in the dimension of the variable is 2
• The number of 𝜋-groups is 𝑛 − 𝑚 = 3 − 2 = 1

Variable Variable Variable

𝑉 𝐿/𝑇 𝑉/ℎ 1/𝑇 1/2 0
𝑉/ℎ 𝑔/ℎ
𝑔 𝐿/𝑇 2 𝑔/ℎ 1/𝑇 2 − −
ℎ 𝐿 − − − −

8
Examples
P2. There are three significant variables for a body falling in a vacuum (no viscous
effects): the velocity 𝑉, the acceleration due to gravity 𝑔, and the distance through
which the body falls ℎ. Find the 𝜋-groups using the step-by-step method.

Solution:
𝑽
𝝅=
𝒈𝒉
Consequently, the functional form is
𝑽
𝑪=
𝒈𝒉

9
Examples
P3. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the step-by-step method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:
𝑭𝑫 = 𝒇(𝝁, 𝝆, 𝑽, 𝑫)
Dimension of significant variables
𝑀𝐿 𝐿 𝑀 𝑀
𝐹 = 2 ,𝑉 = ,𝜌 = 3 ,𝜇 = ,𝐷 = 𝐿
𝑇 𝑇 𝐿 𝐿𝑇
Number of 𝜋-groups
𝜋 − groups = 5 − 3 = 2 groups

10
Examples
P3. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the step-by-step method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:

Variable Variable Variable Variable

𝐹𝐷 𝑀𝐿/𝑇 2 𝐹𝐷 /𝐷 𝑀/𝑇 2 𝐹𝐷 /(𝜌𝐷4 ) 1/𝑇 2 𝐹𝐷 /(𝜌𝑉 2 𝐷2 ) 0
𝑉 𝐿/𝑇 𝑉/𝐷 1/𝑇 𝑉/𝐷 1/𝑇 − −
𝜌 𝑀/𝑇 3 𝜌𝐷3 𝑀 − − − −
𝜇 𝑀/(𝐿𝑇) 𝜇𝐷 𝑀/𝑇 𝜇/𝜌𝐷2 1/𝑇 𝜇/(𝜌𝑉𝐷) 0
𝐷 𝐿 − − − − − −
11
Examples
P3. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the step-by-step method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:
The final 𝝅 − 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒔 are
𝝆𝑭𝑫 𝑭𝑫
𝝅𝟏 = 𝟐 =
𝝁 𝝆𝑽𝟐 𝑫𝟐
𝝁
𝝅𝟐 =
𝝆𝑽𝑫
The final functional form is
𝝅𝟏 = 𝒇(𝝅𝟐 )

12
Dimensional Analysis
The Exponent Method
• An alternative method for finding the 𝜋-groups is the exponent method.
• This method involves solving a set of algebraic equations to satisfy dimensional
homogeneity.
Steps involving Exponent method:
1. Write the dependent variable as a function of the (𝑛 − 1) independent
variables. This step requires knowledge in the phenomenon being studies. All
variables that influence the dependent variable must be included and all
variables that do not influence the dependent variable should not be included.
In most problems, this relationship will be given.

13
Dimensional Analysis
The Exponent Method
Steps involving Exponent method:
2. Identify 𝑚 variables, the repeating variables that are combined with the
remaining variables to form the 𝜋-terms. The 𝑚 variable must include all the
basic dimensions present in the 𝑛 variables of the functional relationship, but
they must not form a dimensionless 𝜋-term by themselves. Note that an angle
is dimensionless, so it is not a candidate to be a repeating variable.
3. Combine each of the (𝑛 − 𝑚) variables with the repeating variables to form the
𝜋-terms.
4. Write the 𝜋-term containing the dependent variable as a function of the
remaining 𝜋-terms.

14
Examples
P4. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the exponent method method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:
𝑭𝑫 = 𝒇(𝝁, 𝝆, 𝑽, 𝑫)
Dimension of significant variables
𝑀𝐿 𝐿 𝑀 𝑀
𝐹 = 2 ,𝑉 = ,𝜌 = 3 ,𝜇 = ,𝐷 = 𝐿
𝑇 𝑇 𝐿 𝐿𝑇
Number of 𝜋-groups
𝜋 − groups = 5 − 3 = 2 groups

15
Examples
P4. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the exponent method method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:
Form product with the remaining dimensions at a time. Start with the dimensions
of force as follow
𝑎 𝑏
𝑀𝐿 𝐿 𝑀 𝑐 = 𝑀 0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
× × × 𝐿
𝑇2 𝑇 𝐿3
Dimensional homogeneity – equate powers of dimensions on side each side
𝑀: 1 + 𝑏 = 0, 𝑏 = −1
𝑇: −2 − 𝑎 = 0, 𝑎 = −2
𝐿: 1 + 𝑎 − 3𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑐 = −2 16
Examples
P4. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the exponent method method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:
The resulting 𝜋-group is:
𝐹
𝜋1 =
𝜌𝑉 2 𝐷2
Repeating the same procedure with the viscosity
𝑎 𝑏
𝑀 𝐿 𝑀
× × 3 × 𝐿 𝑐 = 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
𝐿𝑇 𝑇 𝐿

17
Examples
P4. The drag 𝐹𝐷 of a sphere in a fluid flowing past the sphere is a function of the
viscosity 𝜇, the mass density 𝜌, the velocity of flow 𝑉, and the diameter of the
sphere 𝐷. Use the exponent method method to find the 𝜋-groups.

Solution:
𝑀: 1 + 𝑏 = 0, 𝑏 = −1
𝑇: −1 − 𝑎 = 0, 𝑎 = −1
𝐿: −1 + 𝑎 − 3𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑐 = −1
The second 𝜋-group is
𝜇
𝜋2 =
𝜌𝑉𝐷
Final functional form
𝑭𝑫 𝝁
𝟐 𝟐
=𝒇
𝝆𝑽 𝑫 𝝆𝑽𝑫 18
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢The most common 𝜋-groups can be found by applying dimensional analysis to all
the variables that might be significant in a general flow situation
➢Variables that have significance in a general flow field are the: velocity 𝒗, density
𝝆, viscosity 𝝁, and the acceleration due to gravity 𝒈
➢If fluid compressibility were likely then the bulk modulus of elasticity 𝑬 should
be included
➢If there is a liquid-gas interface, the surface tension effects may also be
significant
➢Finally, if the flow-field will be affected by a general length 𝑳 such as the width of
a building or the diameter of a pipe
➢These variables will be regarded as the independent variables

19
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢The primary dimensions of the significant independent variables are:
Variable Variable
𝑽 𝐿/𝑇 𝑬𝒗 𝑀/𝐿𝑇 2
𝝆 𝑀/𝐿3 𝝈 𝑀/𝑇 2
𝝁 𝑀/𝐿𝑇 𝑳 𝐿
𝒈 𝐿/𝑇 2
➢There are several other independent variables that could be identified for
thermal effects, such as temperature, specific heat, and thermal conductivity
➢Typically one is interested in pressure distributions 𝒑, shear stress distributions
𝝉, and forces on surfaces and objects in the flow field 𝑭 – these will be identified
as dependent variables.
Variable Variable
𝒑 𝑀/𝐿𝑇 2 [𝑭] 𝑀𝐿/𝑇 2
𝝉 = 𝚫𝐩 𝑀/𝐿𝑇 2 20
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢There are 10 significant variables, which, by application of the Buckingham Π
theorem, means there are seven 𝜋-groups
➢Utilizing either of the methods, it yields
𝒑 𝝉 𝑭 𝝆𝑽𝑳 𝑽 𝝆𝑳𝑽𝟐 𝑽𝟐
𝟐
, 𝟐, 𝟐 𝟐, , , ,
𝝆𝑽 𝝆𝑽 𝝆𝑽 𝑳 𝝁 𝑬/𝝆 𝝈 𝒈𝑳
➢The first three groups, the dependent 𝝅-groups, are identified by specific names
– for these groups, it is common practice to use the kinetic pressure, 𝜌𝑉 2 /2,
instead of 𝜌𝑉 2 - in most applications one is concerned with a pressure difference,
the pressure 𝜋-group is expressed as
𝒑 − 𝒑𝟎
𝒄𝒑 =
𝟏 𝟐
𝝆𝑽
𝟐

21
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢Where 𝑐𝑝 is called the pressure coefficient and 𝑝0 is a reference pressure
➢The 𝜋-group associated with shear stress is called the shear-stress coefficient
and defined as
𝝉
𝒄𝒇 =
𝟏 𝟐
𝝆𝑽
𝟐
➢Where the subscript 𝒇 denotes “friction”
➢The 𝜋-group associated with force is referred to as a force coefficient and
defined as
𝑭
𝒄𝑭 =
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐
𝝆𝑽 𝑳
𝟐

22
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢The independent 𝜋 -group are named after earlier contributions to fluid
mechanics
➢The 𝜋-group 𝝆𝑳𝑽/𝝁 is called the Reynolds number – after Osborne Reynolds
and designated by 𝑹𝒆
➢The 𝜋-group 𝑽/ 𝑬/𝝆 is rewritten as 𝑽/𝒄 , where 𝒄 is the speed of sound – and
called the Mach number and designated by 𝑴
➢The 𝜋-group 𝝆𝑳𝑽𝟐 /𝝈 is called the Weber number and designated by 𝑾𝒆
➢The remaining 𝜋-group is usually expressed as 𝑽/ 𝒈𝑳 and identified as the
Froude number and written as 𝑭𝒓
➢The general functional form for all the 𝜋-groups is
𝒄𝒑 , 𝒄𝒇 , 𝒄𝑭 = 𝒇 𝑹𝒆, 𝑴, 𝑾𝒆, 𝑭𝒓

23
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢Means that either of the three dependent 𝝅-groups are functions of the four
independent 𝝅-groups – that is, the pressure coefficient, the shear-stress
coefficient, or the force coefficient are functions of the Reynolds number, Mach
number, Weber number, and Froude number
➢Each independent 𝜋-group has an important interpretation – for instance, the
Reynolds number can be viewed as the ratio of kinetic to viscous forces
➢The kinetic forces are the forces associated with fluid motion – by Bernoulli’s
equation, the pressure difference required to bring a moving fluid to rest is the
kinetic pressure, 𝝆𝑽𝟐 /𝟐, so the kinetic forces 𝑭𝒌 should be proportional to
𝑭𝒌 ∝ 𝝆𝑽𝟐 𝑳𝟐
➢The shear force due to viscous effects 𝐹𝑣 is proportional to the shear stress and
area
𝑭𝒗 ∝ 𝝉𝑨 ∝ 𝝉𝑳𝟐

24
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢The shear stress is proportional to
𝒅𝑽 𝝁𝑽
𝝉=𝝁 ∝
𝒅𝒚 𝑳
➢So 𝐹𝑣 ∝ 𝜇𝑉𝐿 – taking the ratio of the kinetic to the viscous forces
𝑭𝒌 𝝆𝑽𝑳
∝ = 𝑹𝒆
𝑭𝒗 𝝁
➢It yields the Reynolds number – the magnitude of the Reynolds number provides
important information about the flow
➢A low Reynolds number (< 2000) implies viscous effects are important; a high
Reynolds number (≥ 4000) implies kinetic forces predominate.
➢The Reynolds number is one of the most widely used 𝜋-groups in fluid mechanics
– it is also often written using kinematic viscosity, 𝑹𝒆 = 𝝆𝑳𝑽/𝝁 = 𝑳𝑽/𝝂

25
Common 𝝅-Groups
➢Other 𝜋-groups are also given physical interpretation
• The Mach number is an indicator of how important compressibility effects are
in a fluid flow
• The Froude number is important when gravitational force influences the
pattern of flow, such as in flow over a spillway
• The Weber number is important in liquid atomization where surface tension of
the liquid at the droplet’s surface is responsible for maintaining the droplet’s
shape.

26
Similitude
➢Similitude is the theory and art of predicting prototype performance from model
observations.
➢Experiments are performed to obtain information that cannot be obtained by
analytical means alone.
➢The rules of similitude must be applied to select parameters for the model
➢The theory of similitude involves the application of 𝝅-groups – such as the
Reynolds number or the Froude number – to predict prototype performance
from model tests.
➢Examples for these are automobile models, fast trains, dams, rivers, flood-control
structure, etc.
➢Two conditions must be satisfied for similitude between model and prototype: 1)
Geometric similitude, and 2) Dynamic similitude
27
Geometric Similitude
➢Geometric similitude means that the model is an exact geometric replica of the
prototype
➢Consequently, if a 1: 10 scale model is specified, all linear dimensions of the
model must be 1/10 of those of the prototype.
➢In the figure below, if the model and prototype are geometrically similar, the
following equalities hold:
ℓ𝒎 𝒘𝒎 𝒄𝒎
= = = 𝑳𝒓
ℓ𝒑 𝒘𝒑 𝒄𝒑

28
Geometric Similitude
➢As shown in the figure, ℓ, 𝒘, and 𝒄 are linear dimensions associated with the
model and prototype, and 𝑳𝒓 is the scale ratio between model and prototype
➢If follows that the ratio of corresponding areas between model and prototype will
be the square of the length ratio: 𝑨𝒓 = 𝑳𝟐𝒓
➢ Similarly, the ratio of corresponding volumes will be given by: 𝑽𝒎 /𝑽𝒑 = 𝑳𝟑𝒓

29
Dynamic Similitude
➢Dynamic similitude means that the forces that act on corresponding masses in
the model and prototype are in the same ratio (𝑭𝒎 /𝑭𝒑 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕) throughout
the entire flow field
➢Example: the ratio of the kinetic to viscous forces must be the same for the
model and the prototype
➢Since the forces acting on the fluid elements control the motion of those
elements – it follows that dynamic similarity will yield similarity of flow patterns
➢Consequently, the flow patterns for the model and the prototype will be the
same if geometric similitude is satisfied and if the relative forces acting on the
fluid are the same in the model as in the prototype
➢This latter condition requires that the appropriate 𝜋-groups be the same for the
model and prototype – because these 𝜋-groups are indicators of relative forces
within the field.
30
Similitude
➢A more physical interpretation of the force ratios can be illustrated by considering
the flow over the spillway shown in the bottom.

31
Similitude
➢The corresponding masses of fluid in the model and prototype are acted on by
corresponding forces – these forces are the force of gravity 𝑭𝒈 , the pressure
force 𝑭𝒑 , and the viscous force 𝑭𝒗
➢These forces add vectorially to yield a resultant force 𝑭𝑹 - which will in turn
produce an acceleration of the volume of fluid in accordance with Newton’s
second law of motion
➢Since the force polygons in the prototype and model are similar – the magnitudes
of the forces in the prototype and model will be in the same ratio as the
magnitude of the vectors representing mass times acceleration.

32
Similitude
➢From the Newton’s second law
𝐹𝑔𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑚
=
𝐹𝑔𝑝 𝑚𝑝 𝑎𝑝
➢It yields to
𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑝
=
𝑔𝑚 𝐿𝑚 𝑔𝑝 𝐿𝑝
𝑭𝒓𝒎 = 𝑭𝒓𝒑
➢The Froude number for the model must be equal to the Froude number for the
prototype to have the same ratio of forces on the model and the prototype

33
Similitude
➢Equating the ratio of the forces producing acceleration to the ratio of viscous
forces
𝐹𝑣𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑚
=
𝐹𝑣𝑝 𝑚𝑝 𝑎𝑝
➢It yields to
𝑹𝒆𝒎 = 𝑹𝒆𝒑
➢Referring back to the general functional relationship
𝑪𝒑 , 𝒄𝒇 , 𝑪𝒑 = 𝒇(𝑹𝒆, 𝑴, 𝑾𝒆, 𝑭𝒓)
➢If the independent 𝜋-groups are the same for the model and the prototype, then
dependent 𝜋-group must also be equal
𝑪𝒑𝒎 = 𝑪𝒑𝒑 , 𝒄𝒇𝒎 = 𝒄𝒇𝒑 , 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝑭𝒎 = 𝑪𝑭𝒑

34
Model Studies for Flows without Free-
Surface Effects
➢Free-surface effects are absent in the flow of liquids or gases in closed conduits –
including control devices such as valves, or in the flow about bodies that travel
through air or are deeply submerged in a liquid such as water
➢Free-surface effects are also absent where a structure such as a building is
stationary and wind flows past it
➢In all these cases, fluids reasonably may be assumed incompressible – the
Reynolds number criterion is the most significant for dynamic similarity
➢The Reynolds number for the model must equal the Reynolds number for the
prototype

35
Examples
P5. The drag characteristics of a blimp 5 𝑚 in diameter and 60 𝑚 long are to be
studied in a wind tunnel. If the speed of the blimp through still air is 10 𝑚/𝑠, and
if a 1/10 scale model is to be tested, what airspeed in the wind tunnel is needed
for dynamically similar conditions? Assume the same air pressure and temperature
for both model and prototype.

Solution:
𝑹𝒆𝒎 = 𝑹𝒆𝒑
𝒗𝒎 𝑳𝒎 𝒗𝒑 𝑳𝒑
=
𝝂𝒎 𝝂𝒑
𝑳𝒎 𝝂𝒑 𝟔𝟎
𝒗𝒑 = × × 𝒗𝒎 = × 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒎/𝒔
𝑳𝒑 𝝂𝒎 𝟔
36
Examples
P6. The valve shown is the type used in the control of water in a large conduits.
Model tests are to be done, using water as the liquid, to determine how the valve
will operated under wide-open conditions. The prototype size is 6 𝑓𝑡 in diameter
at the inlet. What flow rate is required for the model if the prototype flow is
700 𝑐𝑓𝑠? Assume that the temperature for model and prototype is 60°𝐹 and that
the model inlet is 1 𝑓𝑡.

37
Examples
P6. The valve shown is the type used in the control of water in a large conduits.
Model tests are to be done, using water as the liquid, to determine how the valve
will operated under wide-open conditions. The prototype size is 6 𝑓𝑡 in diameter
at the inlet. What flow rate is required for the model if the prototype flow is
700 𝑐𝑓𝑠? Assume that the temperature for model and prototype is 60°𝐹 and that
the model inlet is 1 𝑓𝑡.

Solution:
𝑹𝒆𝒎 = 𝑹𝒆𝒑
𝒗𝒎 𝑳𝒎 𝒗𝒑 𝑳𝒑
=
𝝂𝒎 𝝂𝒑
𝒗𝒑 𝑳𝒎 𝟏
= =
𝒗𝒎 𝑳𝒑 𝟔 38
Examples
P6. The valve shown is the type used in the control of water in a large conduits.
Model tests are to be done, using water as the liquid, to determine how the valve
will operated under wide-open conditions. The prototype size is 6 𝑓𝑡 in diameter
at the inlet. What flow rate is required for the model if the prototype flow is
700 𝑐𝑓𝑠? Assume that the temperature for model and prototype is 60°𝐹 and that
the model inlet is 1 𝑓𝑡.

Solution:
𝟐
𝑸𝒎 𝑨𝒎 𝒗𝒎 𝑳𝟐𝒎 𝒗𝒎 𝑳𝒎 𝒗𝒎
= = 𝟐 = ×
𝑸𝒑 𝑨𝒑 𝒗𝒑 𝑳𝒑 𝒗𝒑 𝑳𝒑 𝒗𝒑
𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
𝑸𝒎 = 𝑸𝒑 × × 𝟔 = 𝟕𝟎𝟎 × = 𝟏𝟏𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝟕 𝒄𝒇𝒔
𝟔 𝟔
39
Model –Prototype Performance
➢Geometric (scale model) and dynamic (same 𝜋-groups) similitude
mean that the dependent 𝜋-groups are the same for both the model
and the prototype
➢Measurements made with the model can be applied directly to the
prototype
𝑪𝒑 , 𝒄𝒇 , 𝑪𝒑 = 𝒇(𝑹𝒆, 𝑴, 𝑾𝒆, 𝑭𝒓)

40
Examples
P7. A 1/10 scale model of a blimp is tested in a wind tunnel under dynamically
similar conditions. If the drag force on the model blimp is measure to be 1530 𝑁,
what corresponding force could be expected on the prototype? The air pressure
and temperature are the same for both model and prototype.

Solution:
𝑹𝒆𝒎 = 𝑹𝒆𝒑
𝑽𝒎 𝑳𝒎 𝑽𝒑 𝑳𝒑
=
𝝂𝒎 𝝂𝒑
𝑽𝒑 𝑳𝒎 𝟏
= =
𝑽𝒎 𝑳𝒑 𝟏𝟎

41
Examples
P7. A 1/10 scale model of a blimp is tested in a wind tunnel under dynamically
similar conditions. If the drag force on the model blimp is measure to be 1530 𝑁,
what corresponding force could be expected on the prototype? The air pressure
and temperature are the same for both model and prototype.

Solution:
𝑭𝒑 𝑭𝒎
=
𝟏 𝟏
𝝆𝒑 𝑽𝟐𝒑 𝑳𝟐𝒑 𝝆𝒎 𝑽𝟐𝒎 𝑳𝟐𝒎
𝟐 𝟐
𝑭𝒑 𝑽𝟐𝒑 𝑳𝟐𝒑
= 𝟐 × 𝟐 =𝟏
𝑭𝒎 𝑽𝒎 𝑳𝒎
𝑭𝒑 = 𝑭𝒎
𝑭𝒑 = 𝟏𝟓𝟑𝟎 𝑵
42
References
Pritchard, P. J. & Leylegian, J. C. (2011). Fox and McDonald’s
introduction to fluid mechanics (8th Ed.). John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Potter, M. C. & Wiggert, D. C. (2008). Schaum’s outline of fluid

mechanics. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.

Fox, J. A. (1977). An introduction to engineering fluid mechanics (2nd

Ed.) Macmillan Press Ltd.

White, F. M. (2011, January 1). Fluid Mechanics. McGraw-Hill Science,

Engineering & Mathematics.

43
Thank You