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Lec 8b Physical Modeling

1) Physical hydraulic models use scale representations of prototypes to study fluid mechanics problems that lack analytical solutions. Models allow experiments under practical conditions while reducing costs. 2) For a model to validly represent its prototype, geometric, kinematic, and dynamic similarity must be achieved through length, velocity, force, and time scale ratios defined by similitude laws. 3) Dimensionless groups indicate the relative importance of forces and must match between models and prototypes for dynamic similarity. Not all forces need match depending on the problem.

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Haziq Irfan
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38 views

Lec 8b Physical Modeling

1) Physical hydraulic models use scale representations of prototypes to study fluid mechanics problems that lack analytical solutions. Models allow experiments under practical conditions while reducing costs. 2) For a model to validly represent its prototype, geometric, kinematic, and dynamic similarity must be achieved through length, velocity, force, and time scale ratios defined by similitude laws. 3) Dimensionless groups indicate the relative importance of forces and must match between models and prototypes for dynamic similarity. Not all forces need match depending on the problem.

Uploaded by

Haziq Irfan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HYDRAULIC MODELING

& SIMILITUDE
Learning outcomes
 To describe the merit of physical modelling.
 To understand and be able to apply the concept of
geometric, kinematic and dynamic similarity.
 To apply the concept of similitude on physical
models.
 To identify the important governing dimensionless
group in a particular physical problem.
Physical Modeling
 Used in experiments to study fluid mechanic problems
 e.g. harbors, dams, turbine, air flow around building

 Definition: a representation of a physical system that may


be used to predict the behaviour of the system in some
desired respect.

 Note: not all fluid mechanic problems have an


analytical/ mathematical solution
Why modeling?
 Practical handling in the laboratory: enlarge or reduce
size; operate at plausible conditions, e.g. pressure, velocity
 Cost of experiment: setup, alteration, maintenance,
e.g. mathematical/ computational

Represented by
prototype model
Validity of modeling
 Result must be scaled by means of:
Geometric similarity,
Kinematic and/or Dynamic similarity,
based on the laws of similitude.

Applied to
model prototype
Burj Dubai
Sediment Physical Model for Dam Region of the Three Gorges Project
Geometrical similarity

 Generally, model must be an exact geometric


replica of the prototype, i.e. there is only one
Length scale ratio Lr = Lm/Lp,
e.g. 1/10 scale.

 Practical limitations: surface roughness, sediment


transport, (shallow) river flow etc.
 In some problems, distorted model is used where the
vertical and horizontal scale differs.
Kinematic similarity
 The ratio of the velocities at all corresponding
points in the flow are the same, i.e.
Velocity scale ratio Vr = Vm/Vp

 Since V = [L/T],
 Let Time scale ratio tr = tm/tp,
 Then, Vr = Lr/tr = (Lm/tm)/(Lp/tp)
 Similarly, Acceleration scale ratio, ar = Lr/tr2
Dynamic similarity
 The forces which act on corresponding masses in the
model and prototype shall be in the same ratio
throughout the area of flow modeled, i.e.
Force scale ratio Fr = Fm/Fp

 Since F = ma, and m = [M],


 Let Mass scale ratio mr = mm/mp,
 Then Fr = (ma)m/(ma)p = mrar = mr(Lr/tr2)
Dynamic similarity – cont.

 The ratio between any two forces must be the same


for the model and prototype at geometrically
similar positions.
 e.g. Rem = Rep
(VL/)m = (VL/)p
 Then (VL/)m = (VL /)p
 i.e. two pipelines of different size and with different
fluids are dynamically similar as long as the ratio of
the inertia to viscous force are identical.
Dimensionless groups
 Definition: ratio of two similar physical quantities
 Indicate relative importance of the two properties.
 e.g. F/V2l2  Drag(or Lift) Force/ Inertia Force
=C
 e.g. Vl/  Inertia Force/ Viscous Force
= Re
 e.g. V/gl  Inertia Force/ Gravitational Force
= Fr
 e.g. P/V2  Pressure Force/ Inertia Force
=C
Dynamic similarity – note
 Some forces predominate over others and thus
equivalence of ALL dimensionless groups is NOT
necessary.
 e.g. flow over aerofoil: need to consider Reynolds number since viscous
force is important; can neglect Froude number since gravity is not important.
 e.g. free surface channel flow: need to consider Froude number since
gravity force is important; can neglect Reynolds number since viscous effect
is not important.
 e.g. spillway model: if length scale ratio is too small, viscous effect and
surface tension can become important in the model, but not in the
prototype.
 Fluid velocity in the model should never be too low such that flow becomes
laminar whereas flow in prototype is turbulent.
Dynamic similarity - coefficients
 For dynamically similar systems, the pressure, force
and power coefficients (where applicable) are the
same:
Cp = p/V2,
CF = F/V2l2,
CP = P/V3l2.
Coastal model
 Typical problems: model size vs flow depth, surface
roughness, sediment size, micro-flow modeling
 Soln.: distorted model
 Governing dimensionless group: Froude number:
Vm2/Zm = Vp2/Zp, where V = mean flow velocity
Z = vertical dim.
 Discharge, Q = VLZ, where L = horizontal dim.
 Hence, Qm/Qp = (Zm/Zp)3/2(Lm/Lp)
 Typically, vertical scale: 1/50 to 1/150,
horizontal scale: 1/300 to 1/2500
Coastal model – cont.
 From Manning equation:
nm = np(Lp/Lm)1/2(Zm/Zp)2/3
 where in general np > 0.03, but
 using cement mortar, nm  0.012.
 i.e. artificial means needed to increase bed
roughness.

 It is assumed that flow in the model is turbulent –


make sure it is not otherwise!
Coastal model – cont.
 For estuary, speed of tidal propagation is
important.
 Let T = tidal period
 Tm/Tp = (L/V)m/(L/V)p = (Lm/Lp) (Vp/Vm)
= (Lm/Lp) (Zp/Zm)1/2
 Hence, if Tp = 12.4 h, and Lm/Lp = 1/500,
Zm/Zp = 1/50
 Then Tm = 10.5 min
Coastal model – cont.
t is the time taken, and is
scaled similarly like T
 For vertical silt particle velocity:
 Rate of fall in model Zm/tm
=
Rate of fall in prototype Zp/tp
= (Zm/Zp) (tp/tm)
= (Zm/Zp)3/2 (Lp/Lm)
 Other complications, e.g. density stratification, surface
wave, current
 Physical estuary model is popular to study qualitative
attributes of proposed coastal modification works.

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