Dimensional Analysis

•Fluid flow is influenced by several parameters like, the geometry, fluid

properties and fluid velocity.
•In the study of flow of real fluids analytical methods alone are found
insufficient.
•Experimental methods and results have contributed heavily for the
development of fluid mechanics.
•Experiments are used to validate analytical results as well as generalize
and extend their applications.
•Depending either solely on analytical methods or experiments for the
design of systems is found to lead to inadequate performance and high
cost.
•The number of parameters can be reduced generally by grouping relevant
variables to form dimensionless parameters.
•In addition these groups facilitate the presentation of the results of the
experiments effectively and also to generalize the results so that these can
be applied to similar situations.
 Dimensional Analysis
• Eg Flow through pipes can be considered as an example.
• Viscosity, density, flow velocity and diameter are found to
influence the flow.
• If the effect of each of these parameters on flow is
separately studied the number of experiments will be large.
• Also these results cannot be generalized and its usefulness
will be limited.
• When the number of these variables are combined to form a
dimensionless group like (u D ρ/μ) few experiments will be
sufficient to obtain useful information.
• This parameter can be varied by varying one of the variables
which will be the easier one to vary, for example velocity u.
 Dimensional Analysis
• The drag force F on a stationary sphere in flow is found to depend on diameter D, velocity
u, fluid density ρ and viscosity μ. Assuming that to study the influence of a parameter 10
experimental points are necessary, estimate the total experimental points needed to obtain
complete information. Indicate how the number of experiments can be reduced.
-To obtain a curve F vs u, for fixed values of ρ, μ and D, experiments needed = 10.
-To study the effect of ρ these 10 experiments should be repeated 10 times with 10 values
of ρ the total now being 102.
-The 102 experiments have to repeated 10 times each for different values of μ.
-Total experiments for u, ρ and μ = 103.
-To study the effect of variation of diameter all the experiments have to be repeated 10
times each.
-Hence total experiments required = 104.
-These parameters can be combined to obtain two dimensionless parameters,

Now only 10 experiments are needed to obtain a comprehensive information about the
effect of these five parameters.
Experiments can be conducted for obtaining this information by varying the parameter
(uDρ/μ) and determining the values for F/ρu2D2. Note : It will be almost impossible to
find fluids with 10 different densities and 10 different viscosities.
 Dimensional Analysis
• Fundamental Dimensions
• All physical quantities are measured by comparison which is made with respect
to a fixed value.
• Length, Mass and Time are three fixed dimensions which are of importance in
fluid mechanics and fluid machinery. In compressible flow problems,
temperature is also considered as a fundamental dimensions.
• Secondary Quantities or Derived Quantities
• Secondary quantities are derived quantities or quantities which can be
expressed in terms of two or more fundamental quantities.

• Dimensional Homogeneity
• In an equation if each and every term or unit has same dimensions, then it is
said to have Dimensional Homogeneity.
• Eg: V = u + at
• m/s m/s m/s2 × s
• LT-1 = (LT-1) + (LT-2) (T)
 Dimensional Analysis

• Dimensions of quantities
• 1. Length LMoTo
• 2. Mass LoMTo
• 3. Time LoMoT
• 4. Area L2MoTo
• 5. Volume L3MoTo
• 6. Velocity LMoT-1
 Dimensional Analysis

• Methods for determining Dimensionless group

1. Rayleigh Method.
2. Buckingham Method.
3. Intuitive method.
 Dimensional Analysis
Rayleigh Method:
A functional power relation is assumed between the parameters and then the
values of indices are solved for to obtain the grouping.
Rayleigh’s method of analysis is adopted when number of parameters or
variables are less (3 or 4 or 5).
Methodology
X1 is a function of X2, X3, X4, ……, Xn then it can be written as
X1 = f(X2, X3, X4, ……, Xn),
X1 = K (X2, X3 ,X4 . ……)
Taking dimensions for all the quantities
[X1] = [X2]a [X3]b [X4]c ……
Dimensions for quantities on left hand side as well as on the right hand side are
written and using the concept of Dimensional Homogeneity a, b, c …. can be
determined.
Then,
X1 = K × X2a × X3b × X4c × ……
 Dimensional Analysis
BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
This method of analysis is used when number of variables are more.
If there are n – variables in a physical phenomenon and those n-variables
contain ‘m’ dimensions, then the variables can be arranged into (n-m)
dimensionless groups called π terms. ie:
If f (X1, X2, X3, ……… Xn) = C and variables can be expressed using m
dimensions then.
f (π 1, π 2, π 3, ……… π n - m) = c1
Where, π 1, π 2, π 3, ……… are dimensionless groups.
Each π term contains (m + 1) variables out of which m are of repeating type
and one is of non-repeating type.
Each π term being dimensionless, the dimensional homogeneity can be used
to get each π term.
 Dimensional Analysis
Selecting Repeating Variables
1) List all the n physical quantities or variables involved in the phenomena.
2) Avoid taking the quantity required as the repeating variable.
3) Select m variables out of these which are to serve as repeating variables.
4) Repeating variables put together should not form dimensionless group.
5) No two repeating variables should have same dimensions.
6) Repeating variables can be selected from each of the following
properties.
a. Geometric property _ Length, height, width, area
b. Flow property _ Velocity, Acceleration, Discharge
c. Fluid property _ Mass density, Viscosity, Surface tension
 MODEL ANALYSIS
• Before constructing or manufacturing hydraulics
structures or hydraulics
• Machines tests are performed on their models to
obtain desired information about their
performance.
• Models are small scale replica of actual structure
or machine. The actual structure is called
prototype.
 MODEL ANALYSIS

• Similitude / Similarity
• It is defined as the similarity between the
prototype and it’s model.
• Types of Similarity
There are three types of similarity.
Geometric similarity
Kinematic similarity
Dynamic similarity
 MODEL ANALYSIS

• Geometrical Similarity
• Geometric similarity is said to exist between
the model and prototype if the ratio of
corresponding linear dimensions between
model and prototype are equal.
 MODEL ANALYSIS

• Kinematic Similarity
• Kinematic similarity exists between prototype
and model if quantities such at velocity and
acceleration at corresponding points on model
and prototype are same.
 MODEL ANALYSIS

• Dynamic Similarity
• Dynamic similarity is said to exist between
model and prototype if ratio of forces at
corresponding points of model and prototype
is constant.
MODEL ANALYSIS
Drag and Lift
• Fluid dynamic forces are
due to pressure and viscous
forces acting on the body
surface.
• Drag: component parallel
to flow direction.
• Lift: component normal to
flow direction.

No lift for symmetrical body facing flow symmetrically

 Drag and Lift
• Lift and drag forces can be found by integrating
pressure( Normal components) and wall-shear
stress(Tangential components).

Pressure drag practically zero Friction drag practically zero

 DRAG AND LIFT

• Flow Around a body placed in uniform flow

develops a thin layer along the body surface
with largely changing velocity----- Boundary
layer ------- due to viscosity of fluid.
• Separation of flow behind the body in form of
wakes and eddies.
 Drag and Lift
• In addition to geometry, lift FL and drag FD forces are a
function of density  and velocity V.
• Dimensional analysis gives 2 dimensionless parameters:
lift and drag coefficients.

• Area A can be frontal area, (projected area), (drag

applications), planform area (wing aerodynamics), or
wetted-surface area (ship hydrodynamics).
• ½ V2A is the dynamic pressure of fluid flowing
 Drag and Lift
Types of Drag:
FRICTION or SURFACE DRAG:
• No Slip condition: Retardation of fluid at contact Point. Adheres to surface.
• Retardation to adjacent layers.
• Velocity gradient. 0- max ( fluid flow)

Even for low viscosity, if velocity gradient is

high ,Shear stress will be high .
 Drag and Lift
• Deformation Drag:
Resistance due to Viscosity.
For large viscous fluid , small objects, small
velocities. ie Reynolds number is very small.
• Pressure / form Drag:
Separation of flow-- occurs due to High Reynolds.
High Pressure at upstream ----Wakes at down
stream. Large pressure difference.
 Drag and Lift

Same C/s area OR Frontal area. Same Stagnation point ,maximum local pressure
 BOUNDARY LAYER

Hydrodynamic Entrance region

Hydrodynamic entry length.
Hydrodynamically fully developed region..
Fully Developed flow: when normalized temperature remains unchanged.
Boundary layer Thickness:
Pressure drag : Zero, only friction drag..
Force can be calculated from Friction drag Coeff only.
½ A V2 ρ Cf . A can be on one side or on both.
• Velocity much fuller in turbulent than in laminar with sharp drop
near surface.
• Viscous sub layer : almost streamlined. Velocity nearly linear.
• Buffer layer : turbulent effects are more but still viscous force
dominates.
• Overlap layer : Turbulent starts to increase rapidly but still not
dominant.
• Turbulent layer: similar to fully developed in pipes.
• Development of Boundary layer depends on Upstream velocity ,
geometry , surface roughness ,temperature , type of fluid etc.
• Re 1x106 - Re 3x106 .( smooth Plate).