ME/CEE 2342:

Fluid Mechanics Section 5 Dimensional Analysis [Chapter 7 in the text book]

Paul S. Krueger Associate Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX 75275 pkrueger@lyle.smu.edu (214) 768-1296 Office: 301G Embrey
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Venturi Tube:

Objective: Find the flow rate Q as a function of p and the other parameters in the problem, namely,

Q = f (p, A1 , A2 , )
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Using Bernoullis equation ( ignored) and conservation of mass we found (see previous notes)

or

Could we have guessed the functional dependence in advance? Yes! Using a theorem called
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The Buckingham Pi Theorem: If there is a functional relationship involving n variables,

v1 = V (v2 , v3 , K , vn )
Then it can be reduced to a relationship among k = n j independent dimensionless parameters

~ 1 = V ( 2 , 3 , K , k )

(k = n j )

where j is the minimum number of reference dimensions (such as mass, length, time) required to describe the dimensions of all the variables.

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Example: Venturi Tube

Specifically,

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Notes: The principle behind the Pi theorem is that only so many independent combinations of variables can be formed and one of these dimensionless parameters must be a function of the others. The functional relationship between Pi terms is determined by physics (e.g., Bernoullis equation) or experiment. The advantage of the theorem is that is reduces the number of independent variables involved in the analysis of a problem. Pi terms are independent, but not unique.

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Using the Pi Theorem: Method of Repeating Variables Section 7-4 in the book gives 6 steps for determining the Pi terms. Example: Shear force to move a plate

Step 1: List the variables involved

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Step 2: List dimensions of the terms

Step 3: Determine the number of required Pi terms

Step 4: Select repeating variables. That is, select j variables that contain the reference dimensions and use these to nondimensionalize the remaining variables. Note: do not select the dependent variable as a repeating variable.

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Step 5: Find the Pi terms by non-dimensionalizing the remaining variables using the repeating variables.

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Step 6: Check Pi terms

Conclude (Step 7) by writing down the relationship among Pi terms:

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Notes: We can rewrite 4: Even though we dont know the functional relationship, we still have a lot of information

We could have non-dimensionalized FD as

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 Selection of Variables
[See section 7-3 in the textbook] Notice that the key to dimensional analysis is knowing which variables to include in the analysis. It isnt always clear, however, which variables we should choose to include. If we choose too many, we over-complicate the analysis. If we choose too few, we may miss a key behavior. How do we know which variables to include in our analysis? - Experience - Basic physical insight (knowledge of physics involved)

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Example: Pendulum Bob

What parameters are involved?

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What about aerodynamic drag?

What about ?

What about moment of inertia I?

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Based on our observations so far, we expect

Pi term by inspection:

Note: mass is not involved. Dimensionless relationship:

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 Common Dimensionless Parameters

[See also Table 7-5] 1) Reynolds Number:

UL Re =

For a physical interpretation of Reynolds number, consider the following: Inertia forces/terms:

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Then:

Viscous Forces:

So,

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Physical Interpretation: Re >> 1: Inertia effects (i.e., effects associated with acceleration or deceleration of fluid particles) dominate. That is, it is difficult for viscosity to slow the fluid (flow has a tendency to keep moving by inertia). Viscous effects typically confined to a small region of the flow. Examples:

Re << 1: Viscous forces dominate everywhere in the flow. It is difficult to keep the fluid moving (viscosity kills the motion). Examples:

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2) Mach Number: Physical Interpretation:

Ma = U c

Ma << 1: Compressibility not important (i.e., assume incompressible flow). If Ma 0.3 we say flow is incompressible. Example:

Ma >> 1: Compressibility important.

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3) Strouhal Number (dimensionless frequency):

L St = U
Physical Interpretation: St << 1: Unsteadiness not important relative to convective effects. St > 1: Unsteadiness important. 4) Euler Number (dimensionless pressure):

p p Eu = or Eu = 2 U 2 2 U
Used in problems where pressure differences are important (e.g, Bernoullis equation)
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4) Froude Number:

U Fr = gL

or

U2 Fr = gL

Important in problems with surface waves.

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 Theory of Models
[Section 7-3 (Dimensional analysis and similarity)] Consider a case where we know a relationship exists between parameters for a problem:

Then using dimensional analysis we arrive at

But the functional relationship is unknown and needs to be determined by experiment. For cost and convenience, this is often done using a scale model.

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Prototype (full-scale system)

Model (scaled system)

Thus, if we match all the independent Pi terms, we can predict the dependent Pi term for the full-scale system

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Notes: Matching Pi terms involving only geometric parameters (length, shape, etc.) gives geometric similarity. In particular, the model must be a scale model of the prototype (identical geometry to the prototype, except, possibly, a different size). Matching Pi terms involving ratios of forces enforces dynamic similarity. For example, if Reynolds number is a Pi term, then Rem = Rep is required for dynamic similarity. Enforcing dynamic similarity ensures the flow around the model is the same as the flow around the prototype, just at a different scale.

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Example: Drag on an Airplane

What static pressure in the wind tunnel is required to achieve dynamic similarity? If the measured drag on the model is FDm = 1 lbf, what would be the drag on the prototype?
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First, we need to apply dimensional analysis to the relationship for drag on the airplane:

Result:

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So, the only Pi term that needs to be matched is Re. Also, the only Pi term involving ratios of forces is Re, so dynamic similarity requires Rep = Rem, namely, Assume Then dynamic similarity gives

Now use the ideal gas law:

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Drag: When Rep = Rem dimensional analysis also requires that

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Note: It isnt always possible to achieve full dynamic similarity with scale models. For example, for model ships the flow involves a free surface and both Re and Fr are important. Then full dynamic similarity requires

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It is nearly impossible to find two fluids with appropriate m/p for reasonable scales. For example,

Instead, ship designers typically utilize Re independence when testing models. Here the strategy is to match Fr for the model and prototype, but keep the model large enough so that Re independence is achieved. Under Re independence, the Re is large enough that the drag (or other fluid dynamic quantity) no longer depends on Re. Then, even though Rem < Rep, the value(s) at Rem can still be used to estimate the prototype quantities. See the discussion in the textbook for a more complete analysis.
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