Practise Problem Set 1 CE 228: Applied Hydraulic Engineering

Dimensional Analysis

1. A model test is to be conducted for an underwater structure which each likely to be exposed for an
underwater structure, which is likely to be exposed to strong water currents. The significant forces are
known to the dependent on structure geometry, fluid velocity, fluid density and viscosity, fluid depth and
acceleration due to gravity. Choose from the codes given below, which of the following numbers must
match for the model with that of the prototype:
1. Mach number 2. Weber number
3. Froude number 4. Reynolds number.
(a) 3 alone (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 and 4
[IES-2002]
Ans:(d)

2. Form a dimensionless group with the variables ρ (density), ω (angular velocity), c (dynamic viscosity)
and D (characteristic diameter).
[IES-1995]
Ans: ρwD2/c

3. Considering Froude number as the criterion of dynamic similarity for a certain flow situation, work out
the scale factor of velocity (λ𝑣 ), time (λ𝑡 ), discharge (λ𝑞 ), acceleration (λ𝑎 ), force (λ𝑓 ), work (λ𝑤 ), and
power (λ𝑝 ) in terms of scale factor for length, λ𝑙 .
[IES-2003]
5/2 7/2
Ans: λ𝑣 = √𝜆𝑙 , λ𝑡 = √𝜆𝑙 , λ𝑞 = 𝜆𝑙 ,λ𝑎 =1, λ𝑓 =𝜆3𝑙 , λ𝑤 = 𝜆4𝑙 , λ𝑝 = 𝜆𝑙

4. A 1:20 model of a spillway dissipates 0.25 hp. What will be the corresponding prototype horsepower
dissipated?
[IES-1998]
Ans: 8944hp

5. The variable controlling the motion of a floating vessel through water are the drag force F, the speed v,
the length l, the density ρ. dynamic viscosity μ of water and gravitational constant g. If the non-
dimensional groups are Reynolds number (Re), Weber number (We), Prandtl number (Pr) and Froude
number (Fr), the expression for F is given by:
[IES-1997]
Ans: F / v l  f (Re, Pr)
2 2

6. The model of a propel1er, 3 m in diameter, cruising at 10 m/s in air, is tested in a wind tunnel on a 1: 10
scale model. If a thrust of 50 N is measured on the model at 5 m/s wind speed, then what will be the thrust
on the prototype?
[IES-1995]
Ans:20kN

7. A model test is to be conducted in a water tunnel using a 1: 20 model of a submarine, which is to travel
at a speed of 12 km/h deep under sea surface. The water temperature in the tunnel is maintained, so that
is kinematic viscosity is half that of sea water. At what speed is the model test to be conducted to produce
useful data for the prototype?
[IES-2002]
 Ans: 120 km/hr
8. 1:256 scale model of a reservoir is drained in 4 minutes by opening the sluice gate. What will be the time
required to empty the prototype?
[IES-1999]
Ans:64 min

9. The losses per unit length of pipe Δh/l in turbulent flow through a smooth pipe depend upon velocity V,
diameter D, gravity g, dynamic viscosity μ, and density ρ. With dimensional analysis, determine the
general form of the equation.
 VD V 2 h 
Ans: f  , , 0
  gD l 

10. A V-notch weir is a vertical plate with a notch of angle cut into the top of it and placed across an open
channel. The liquid in the channel is backed up and forced to flour through the notch. The discharge Q is
some function of the elevation H of upstream liquid surface above the bottom of the notch. In addition,
the discharge depends upon gravity, g, and upon the velocity of approach Vo to the weir. Determine the
form of discharge equation.
 V
5

Ans: Q  g H f1  0 ,  
2
 gH 
 

11. The overall length of a prototype submarine is 2.25 m and it can travel a speed of 0.55 m/s. The
temperature of water is 15°C (ρw = 999.1 kg/m3 and μw = 1.16 x 10-3 Pa-s). The design is to be tested in
the wind tunnel making use of a 1/8 scale model. The air temperature in the wind tunnel is 25°C and the
pressure is nearly atmospheric (ρair = 1.225 kg/m3 and μw = 1.98 x 10-5 Pa-s). What should be the air speed
to achieve dynamic similarity? If a drag force of 2.5 N is measured in the test, find the prototype drag
force.
Ans: 61 m/s and 10.6 N

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