CHAPTER 6

DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
AND SIMILITUDE
 INTRODUCTION
One approach to solve fluid mechanics problems is by
using dimensional analysis (mathematical technique) that
use to study the dimensions.

Dimensional analysis (D.A) is related to

similitude, however , the approach is
different.

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
D.A. is a technique to reduce the number of
variables to be studied in an experimental
investigation of a physical phenomenon.
In D.A., to understand the fluid phenomena, we need to
predict the physical parameters that will influence the flow
than group these parameters into dimensionless
combinations.

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Cont’d

All physical phenomena are expressible in terms of a

set of basic or fundamental dimensions:
Dimension SI US
Mass (M) kg lb
Length (L) m ft
Time (T) s s 2 Systems
Temperature (θ) oC oF

All equations related to a physical phenomenon

must be dimensionally homogeneous. This is MLTθ FLTθ
known as Principle of Dimensional Homogeneity.
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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
DIMENSIONAL HOMOGENEITY
An equation which express the proper relationship
between the variables in a physical phenomenon
will be dimensionally homogenous.

This means that each of additive terms in an

eqn should have the same dimension.

Example: P (kg/ms) = ρgh (kg/ms)

-

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FUNDAMENTAL
DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

DIMENSIONS
Cont’d

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

SIGNIFICANT OF D.A
Cont’d

• Useful for research study especially in design by

reducing the number of variables.
• To express in dimensionless equation to show the
significant of each parameters.
• To simplify the analysis of complex phenomenon in
systematic order.

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

METHODS
Cont’d

There are a lot of methods such as Bridgman

method, Matrix-tenor etc but the most
popular are Raleigh method (basic principle)
and Theorem Pi Buckingham.

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Kuantiti Quantity Simbol Dimensi

ASAS FUNDAMENTAL
Jisim Mass m M
Panjang Length L L
Masa Time t T

GEOMETRI GEOMETRIC
Luas Area A L2
Isipadu Volume V L3
Sudut Angle θ M 0L0T0
Momen luas pertama First area moment Ax L3
Momen luar kedua Second area moment Ax2 L4
Keterikan Strain e L0

DINAMIK DINAMIC
Daya Force F MLT-2
Berat Weight W MLT-2
Berat tentu Specific weight  ML-2T-2
Ketumpatan Density  ML-3
Tekanan Pressure P ML-1T-2
Tegasan ricih Shear stress τ ML-1T-2
Modulus keanjalan Modulus of elasticity E, K ML-1T-2
Momentum Momentum M MLT-1
Momentum sudut Angular momentum ML2T-1
Momen momentum Moment of momentum ML2T-1
Momen daya Force moment T ML2T-2
Daya kilas Torque T ML2T-2
Tenaga Energy E L
Kerja Work W ML2T-2
Kuasa Power P ML2T-3
Kelikatan dinamik Dynamic viscocity ML-1T-1
Tegangan permukaan Surface tension MT-2
U,v,u
KINEMATIK KINEMATIC N
Halaju lelurus Linear velocity a LT-1
Halaju sudut Angular velocity α T-1
Halaju putaran Rotational speed g T-1
Pecutan Acceleration Q LT-2
Pecutan sudut Angular acceleration Ψ T-2
Graviti Gravity Γ LT-2
Kadar alir Discharge Ω L3T-1
Kelikatan kinematik Kinematic viscosity L2T-1
Fungsi arus Stream function L2T-1
Putaran Circulation L2T-1
Pusaran Vorticity T-1
 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
RALEIGH METHOD
A basic method to dimensional
analysis method and can be
simplified to yield dimensionless
groups controlling the
phenomenon. Flow chart on
your right shows the procedures.
A1  CA2a A3b A4c ..... An
Where
A A A ..... A
2 3 4 = independent variables
n

C = a dimensionless constant
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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

EXAMPLE 6.2 Cont’d

Express dimensionless equation for the speed V with a

pressure wave travels through a fluid. Consider the
physical factors probably influence the speed:
compressibility, Ev (or K), density, ρ dan kinematics
viscosity, ν.

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.2 Cont’d

1. Write the fundamental dimension (used MLTθ)

L F   M  M  L 
2

V   , K   2    2 ,    3 ,    
T   L   LT  L  T 
2. Let write the equation like this:
V  CK   a b d

3. Insert fundamental dimension into the equation

while C is dimensionless constant.
L  M  M  L 
a b 2 d

    
T  LT   L   T 
2 3

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.2

Cont’d

4. To satify dimensional homegeneity, exponent of

each dimension must be identical on both sides of
this equation. Thus,

For M: 0=a+b
For L: 1 = -a + (-3b) + 2d
For T : -1 = -2a – d

5. Solving these three equations, we get

a = ½, b = -½ dan d = 0
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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.2

Cont’d

So that
or K
V  CK  
1/ 2 1 / 2 0
V C

 Wave speed is not affected by the fluid’s
kinematic viscosity, v

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
THEOREM PI BUCKINGHAM
When a large number of variables are involved,
Raleigh’s method becomes lengthy.

In such circumstances, the Buckingham's method is

used. This method expressed the variables related
to a dimensional homogenous equation as:
X 1  f  X 2 , X 3 .....X n 

Where: the dimension at each section is the same.

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
THEOREM PI BUCKINGHAM
The Buckingham Phi Theorem
can also be expressed in terms
of  as shown in on the right.
 ( phi)  (1 ,  2 ,  3 .... nk )
Where,
m = the primary dimensions
n = dimensional variables
such as velocity, discharge
and density.
k = reduction
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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
EXAMPLE 6.4
Drag force FD exerted on a submerged sphere as it moves
through a viscous fluid. Certainly parameters involve are
diameter, D, velocity, V, dynamic viscosity,  and density
of fluid, . Express dimensionless equation. Choose
repeating variables as D, V and .

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.4
1. List the influence factors and count n.
FD = f(D, V, μ, ρ)
where FD= dependent variable n=5
D,V, μ and ρ = independent variables

2. Choose dimensional system (MLTθ or FLTθ)

& list the dimensions of each variable. Find m.
Choose ML L M M
MLT 2
 f ( L, , 3
) m = 3 (M, L and T)
T T LT L
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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.4
3. Find k. Usually equal to m which is cannot
exceed but rarely less than m. Then find n-k (the
number of dimensionless  groups needed.
5 – 3 = 2 so we can write f (1, 2) = 0

4. Choose repeating variables which is 3

(same as k). These variables must contain all the
m.
D (L), V (L/T),  (M/L3)

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.4
Notes:
• Number of repeating variables must same with number of
fundamental dimension and choose from independent
variables (in this example choose 3)
• To choose these variables must relate to mass, geometry
and kinematics. Make sure that, all the fundamental
dimension (M, L & T) include at least in 1 variable.

Don’t worry, usually repeating variables will be given in the

exam. 20
 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.4
5. Form phi group which is 2 groups:
1 = a1 Db1 Vc1 
2 = a2 Db2 Vc2 FD
Equate the exponents on both sides, solve its and
form dimensionless groups.

6. Since the s are dimensionless, we can replace

with M0L0T0 kedalam 1

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.4
 1 = a1 Db1 Vc1 
a1 c1
M  b1  L   M 
 3 L    
M0 L0 T0 = L   T   LT 
M: 0 = a1 + 1
L: 0 = -3a1 + b1 + c1 - 1
T: 0 = - c1 – 1

Solve a1, b1 & c1 a1 = -1, b1 = -1, c1 = -1

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.4
7. So  1 = a1 Db1 Vc1   1= -1 D-1 V-1 
when insert a1, b1 & c1 into the equation

8. Repeat step 6 – 7 for 2

FD
2 
D 2V 2
9. Rearrange the pi groups as desired and
expressed as

 1  f  2 ,  3 ....... n 
F
 f( D
)
DV D V
2 2

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 DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS

Cont’d
EXAMPLE 6.5
Analyse shear stress, τo on the walls of triangular channel
which depends on the vertex angle, θ, depth of flow, y,
density, ρ and gravity, g. Obtain an expression in
dimensionless equation using Buckingham Theorem if
repeating variables are density, gravity and depth of flow.

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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

SIMILITUDE
In hydraulic and aeronautical engineering valuable
results are obtained at relatively small cost by
performing tests on small scale models of full size
systems (prototypes).
Similarity laws help us interpret the results of
model studies. The relation between model and
prototype is classified into three:
Geometry Similarity, Kinematics Similarity and
Dynamic Similarity
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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

SCALE RATIO
MODEL (m)
- Similar with object/structure required in certain
scale ratio.
- tested in laboratory and similar in real
phenomenon.
- not necessary its smaller than prototype

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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

SCALE RATIO
PROTOTYPE (p)
- object/actual structure
- tested in actual phenomenon, example:
structure in open channel, ship etc

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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

ADVANTAGES USING SIMILARITY

1. Performances of object can be predicted.
2. Economy and easy to build, where design of
model can be done many times until reach a
certain values.
3. Nonfunctional structure also can be
measured such as dam.

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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

NON-DIMENSIONAL PARAMETERS

The important
parameters are
Reynolds and
Froude Numbers

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SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

REYNOLDS NUMBER (R)

Used when there is dominant action of viscous
forces or ratio of inertia forces to viscous force.

Example:
• Completely submerged flow e.g. ship
• Complete enclosed flow e.g flow through pipes
• Viscous flow e.g. settling particles in fluids
• Flow in flowmeters in pipes e.g. Orifice meter

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 SIMILITUDE

Cont’d

REYNOLDS NUMBER (R)

L2V 2  LV LV
R  
LV  
Dynamic Similarity achieve when
 LV   LV 
   Rm  R p   
  m   p

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EXAMPLE 6.6
If the Reynolds numbers of a model and prototypes are the
same, find expressions for the scale ratios Vr, Tr and ar.

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SOLUTION
LmVm LpVp
R 
m p

Vp Lm p r  
Vr     
Vm L p m Lr  L  r

Lr  L2  Vr   2 
Tr     ar    3 
Vr    r Tr  L  r
EXAMPLE 6.7

A 1:6 scale model of a passenger car is tested in

a wind tunnel. The prototype velocity is 60 km/h.
If the model drag is 250 N, what is the drag and
the power required to overcome the drag in the
prototype. The air in the model and prototype
can be assumed to have the same properties.

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SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.7

Reynolds similarity law is applicable

 LV   LV  r
   Rm  R p    Vr 
  m   p Lr
If  r  1 (i.e.  m   p , m   p )
1
Then Vr 
Lr
V p 60
Vm    360 km/h  100m/s
Lr 1 / 6

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SOLUTION EXAMPLE 6.7
r
2

Force ratio Fr 
r
Fm
If  r  1,  r  1, 1
Fp
Fp  250 N(same as in model)

Power to overcome drag in the prototype

 60 x1000 
Pp  FpVp  250 x   4167W
 3600 

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 FROUDE NUMBER (Fr)
• Used when there is dominant action of gravity
forces or ratio of inertia forces to gravity force

• Examples:
• Wave action as in breakwaters and ships.
• Free surface flow e.g. open channel flow.
• Hydraulic structures such as spillway, weirs &
notches.
• Forces on the bridge pirs and offshore structures.

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 FROUDE NUMBER (Fr)
• Ratio of gravity force to inertia force
V
Fr 
gL
Dynamic Similarity achieve when
 V   V 
   
 gL   Frm  Frp   gL 
 m  p

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EXAMPLE 6.9
A spillway model with 1:50 scale can manage
discharge of 1.25 m3/s, find the discharge of
prototype. If flood scenario takes only 12 hours in
prototype, how long should it take in the model.

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