Assignment # 1

Topic : Applications of Buckingham-pi-theorem for dimensional analysis Instructor : Mr.Shaid Hussain Ansari Submitted by :

Sarwat Hameed

Date :
29/09/2010
Applications of Buckingham-pi-theorem for dimensional analysis
Dimensional analysis is a mathematical tool often applied in physics, chemistry, and engineering to simplify a problem by reducing the number of variables to the smallest number of "essential" parameters. Systems which share these parameters are called similar and do not have to be studied separately. Buckingham Pi Theorem The Buckingham Pi Theorem enables one to "discover" the nondimensional numbers for a given process and is stated as If a physical process has "n" variables and from these "k" are Repeating Variables, then the there are "n-k" independent nondimensional numbers that can describe that process. For the example we have been considering there are 5 variables that govern the process. So n = 5. We have marked three repeating variables, making k = 3. The theorem tells us that there are two non-dimensional numbers. Buckingham Pi Theorem relies on the identification of variables involved in a process. Further, a few of these have to be marked as "Repeating Variables". This would seem to be a major difficulty in carrying out a dimensional analysis. Let us continue with our example of drag about a cylinder. We have identified the variables involved - F (drag force), D(diameter of the

cylinder), V (the fluid velocity), (density of the fluid), (viscosity of the fluid). Now we mark three of these as the Repeating Variables - V, D and density. The selection comes by practice. Some general guidelines can however be given. These variables combine with the non-repeating ones to form the non-dimensional numbers. Further, they do not form a non-dimensional number themselves. A general prescription is to consider velocity, linear dimension and density to be the Repeating Variables. But by looking at the list of variables one can often intuitively tell the Repeating Variables from the rest. Applications of Buckingham Pi theorem

It is used in diversified fields such as Botany and Social Sciences and books and volumes have been written on this topic. By making use of this theorem it is possible to obtain the dimensionless groups more simply than by solving the simultaneous equations for the indices. Furthermore, the functional relationship can often be obtained in a form which is of more immediate use. It is often useful to use one system to do problem, and then check that groups you obtain are dimensionless by converting to other system. Typically pick variables which characterize the fluid properties, flow geometry, flow rate