Chapter Two Dimensional Analysis

A Dimension is a physical variable used to specify the behavior or nature of a particular system. eg. lenght of a rod is a dimension of a rod, the temperature of a gas is one of the thermodynamic dimension of the gas, so when we said the rode is so many diameter and the gas has a temperature of so many degree Celsius we have given the units with which we choose to measure the dimension.

Dimensional Homogeneity
An equation is called dimensionally homogeneous if the fundamentals dimensions have identical powers of [L T M] (i.e. length, time, and mass) on both sides.
Q=Au L3T-1 = L2 LT-1 = L3T-1.

 Example: Determine the dimension in (M,L,T) form of; momentum, force, pressure, Kinetic energy, discharge, torque. Solution Momentum = mass*velocity = MLT-1 Force = mass * acceleration = MLT-2 Pressure = force / area = ML-1 T-2 Kinetic energy = mass*velocity2 = ML2T-2 Discharge (Q) m3/s [L3T-1] Torque () = F.L [(MLT-2) (L)] N.m [ML2T-2]

 Example2 Check the dimensional homogeneity of the following equations

Methods of Dimensional Analysis

1-Rayleighs method (or Power series) 2-Buckinghams method (or -Theorem)

1-Rayleighs method (or Power series)

The Rayleighs method is based on the following steps: 1-First of all, write the functional relationship with the given data. 2-Now write the equation in terms of a constant with exponents i.e. powers a, b, c,... 3-With the help of the principle of dimensional homogeneity, find out the values of a, b, c, by obtaining simultaneous equation and simplify it. 4-Now substitute the values of these exponents in the main equation, and simplify it.

Example 1 Prove that the resistance (F) of a sphere of diameter (d) moving at a constant speed (u) through a fluid density () and dynamic viscosity () may be expressed as:

Example 2 The resistance (R) experienced by a partially submerged body depends upon the velocity (u), length of the body (L), dynamic viscosity () and density () of the fluid, and gravitational acceleration (g). Obtain a dimensionless expression for (R).

Buckinghams method (or -Theorem)

The Buckinghams -theorem is based on the following steps: 1.First of all, write the functional relationship with the given data. 2.Then write the equation in its general form. 3.Now choose m repeating variables (or recurring set) and write separate expressions for each -term. Every -term will contain the repeating variables and one of the remaining variables. Just the repeating variables are written in exponential form. 4.With help of the principle of dimensional homogeneity find out the values of powers a, b, c, by obtaining simultaneous equations. 5.Now substitute the values of these exponents in the -terms. 6.After the -terms are determined, write the functional relation in the required form.

Example 3: The losses per unit length of pipe h/l in turbulent flow through a smooth pipe depend upon velocity V, diameter D, gravity g, dynamic viscosity , and density . With dimensional analysis, determine the general form of the equation
Example 4: At low velocities (laminar flow), the volume flow Q through a small-bore tube is a function only of the tube radius R, the fluid viscosity _, and the pressure drop per unit tube length dp/dx. Using the pi theorem, find an appropriate dimensionless relationship Example 5: The drag F on a high-velocity projectile depends upon speed V of projectile, density of fluid p, acoustic velocity c, diameter of projectile D, and viscoslty . Develop an expression for the drag Example 6 Show that the discharge of a centrifugal pump is given by Q=Nwhere (N) is the speed of the pump in r.p.m., (D) the diameter of impeller, (g) gravitational acceleration, (H) manometric head, (), () are the dynamic viscosity and the density of the fluid. Example 7 The power input to a pump depends upon discharge Q, head H, specific weight y, and efficiency e. Find the expression for power by use of dimensional reasoning.

Dimensionless Parameters

Pressure Coeficienb. The pressure coefficient p/(pV2/2) is the ratio of pressure to dynamic pressure. When multiplied by area it is the ratio of pressure force to inertial force
Reynolds Number. Reynolds number u D / is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. It may also be viewed as a ratio of turbulent shear forces to viscous shear forces. A "critical" ReynoIds number distinguishes among flow regimes, such as laminar or turbulent flow in pipes, in the boundary layer, or around immersed objects Froude Number. The Froude number u2/gl, when multiplied and divided by pA, is a ratio of dynamic (or inertial force) to weight With free liquid surface flow the nature of the flow (rapid1 or tranquil) depends upon whether the Froude number is greater or less than unity. It is useful in calculations of hydraulic jump, in design of hydraulic structures, and in ship design. Weber Number. The Weber number V21p/g is the ratio of inertial forces to surface-tension forces (evident when numerator and denominator are multiplied by I). It is important at gas-liquid or liquidliquid interfaces and also where these interfaces are in contact with a boundary. Mach Number. The speed of sound in a liquid is written k/ ,if K is the bulk modulus of elasticity . It is a measure of the ratio of inertial forces to elastic forces.