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Dimensional Analysis
Thus, results presented in the form of the graph are independent of the system of units used.
Dimensional analysis is a method for reducing the number and complexity of experimental
variables which effect a given physical phenomenon.
Step 1. List all the variables that are involved in the problem.
Step 5. Form a pi term by multiplying one of the nonrepeating variables by the product
of repeating variables each raised to an exponent that will make the combination
dimensionless.
Step 7. Check all the resulting pi terms to make sure they are dimensionless.
1. For the steady flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through long, smooth-walled,
horizontal, circular pipe, the pressure drop per unit length along the pipe (k = 5)
pl f D, , , V
2. Variables in terms of basic dimensions (r = 3)
pl B FL3 D BL B FL4T 2 B FL2T V B LT 1
3. Apply pi theorem; k – r = 2. Two pi terms are required.
4. Select repeating variables: D, V, and ρ
5,6. Form pi terms
pl D
FL L LT FL
b c
1 pl D V
a b c 3 a 1 4
T 2 0 0
BF L T 0 1
V 2
similarly
2
DV
Method of Repeating Variables
7. Check dimensions
1
pl D
B
FL 3
L B F 0 L0T 0
V LT
2 2
FL4T 2 1
or alternatively
p D ML T L
2 2
1 l
B B M 0 L0T 0
V ML LT
2 2
3 1
Dpl DV
V 2
Example 7.1 A thin rectangular plate having a width w and a height h is located so
that it is normal to a moving stream of fluid. Assume the drag that the fluid exerts on
the plate is a function of w and h, the fluid viscosity and density, μ and ρ, respectively,
and the velocity V of the fluid approaching the plate. Determine a suitable set of pi
terms to study this problem experimentally.
Answer:
D w Vw
,
w2 V 2 h
Selection of Variables
• Selection of variables is the most important and difficult step in applying dimensional analysis.
• For convenience, term variable will be used to indicate any quantity involved, including
dimensional and nondimensional constants.
• There is no simple procedure whereby the variables can be easily identified. Generally, one must
rely on a good understanding of the phenomenon involved and the governing physical laws.
• If extraneous variables are included, then too many pi terms appear in the final solution, and it
may be difficult, time consuming, and expensive to eliminate these experimentally.
• Most engineering problems involve simplifying assumptions. Simplicity and accuracy must be
balanced.
Selection of Variables
• Clearly define the problem. What is the main variable of interest (the dependent variable)?
• Consider the basic laws that govern the phenomenon. Even a crude theory that describes the
essential aspects of the system may be helpful.
• Start the variable selection process by grouping the variables into three broad classes: geometry,
material properties, and external effects.
• Consider other variables that may not fall into one of the above categories. For example, time will
be an important variable if any of the variables are time dependent.
• Be sure to include all quantities that enter the problem even though some of them may be held
constant (e.g., the acceleration of gravity, g). For a dimensional analysis it is the dimensions of
the quantities that are important – not specific values!
• Make sure that all variables are independent. Look for relationships among subsets of the
variables.
Example 7.2 An open, cylindrical tank having a diameter D is supported around its
bottom circumference and is filled to a depth h with a liquid having a specific weight γ.
The vertical deflection, δ, of the center of the bottom is a function of D, h, d, γ, and E,
where d is the thickness of the bottom and E is the modulus of elasticity of the bottom
material. Perform a dimensional analysis of this problem.
Answer:
h d E
, ,
D D D D
Pi terms can be formed by inspection by making use of the fact that each pi term must be dimensionless
For example, consider pressure drop per unit length along the a smooth pipe. As before, determine
variables:
pl f D, , , V
Dimensions of variables:
Number of pi terms is 5 -3 =2
pl D
1
V 2
Form the second pi term, Π2, by selecting variable that was not used in Π1
2
DV
Correlation of Experimental Data
Dimensional analysis greatly facilitate the efficient handling, interpretation, and correlation of experimental
data.
If only one pi term is involved in a problem, it must be equal to a constant, that is 1 C
For example, assume that the drag acting on a spherical particle that falls very slowly through a viscous
fluid is a function of the particle diameter, d, particle velocity, V, and the fluid viscosity, μ. Determine, with
the aid of dimensional analysis, how the drag depends on the particle velocity.
Since D f d ,V ,
D
then C
Vd
or D C Vd
Thus, for a given particle and fluid, the drag varies directly with the velocity. Approximate solution to this
problem was obtained from theory.
Stokes law gives drag as D 3Vd
Correlation of Experimental Data
For problems involving only two pi terms, results of an experiment can be conveniently presented in a
simple graph
In addition to presenting data graphically, it is desirable to obtain an empirical equation relating Π1 and Π2
by using a standard curve-fitting technique. For example, Blasius equation
1 4
Dpl VD
0.1582
V 2
is widely used for predicting the pressure drop in smooth pipes in the range 4x103<Re<105
Correlation of Experimental Data
As the number of pi terms increases, in becomes more difficult to display results in graphical form and to
determine specific empirical equation that describe the phenomenon. For problems involving three pi
terms, it is still possible to show data correlations on simple graphs by plotting families of curves
For problems involving more than two or three pi terms, it is often necessary to use a model to predict
specific characteristics.
End of Lecture
END OF CHAPTER
Supplementary slides
Dimensional Analysis
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Dimensional Analysis
Qualitative description of physical quantities can be given in terms of basic dimensions such as mass, M,
length, L, and time, T. Alternatively, force, F, L, and T can be used, since
F B MLT 2
F
L 3
Dpl L
B B F 0 L0T 0
V
2 2
FL4T 2 LT 1
VD FL T LT L
4 2 1
0 0 0
B B F LT
FL T
2
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Determination of Pi Terms
Step 1. List all the variables that are involved in the problem (determine k).
1 2
S S0 V0t gt
2
Dimensional variables are S and t. All have dimension and can be nondimensionlalized.
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Determination of Pi Terms
Step 2. Express each of the variables in terms of basic dimensions (determine r).
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Determination of Pi Terms
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Determination of Pi Terms
Step 4. Select a number of repeating variables, where the number require is equal to
the number of reference dimensions
All of the required reference dimensions must be included within the group of repeating
variables, and each repeating variable must be dimensionally independent of the others
(i.e. dimensions of one repeating variable cannot be reproduced by some combination of
product of powers of the remaining repeating variables)
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Determination of Pi Terms
Step 5. Form a pi term by multiplying one of the nonrepeating variables by the product
of repeating variables each raised to an exponent that will make the combination
dimensionless.
where ui is one of the nonrepeating variables; u1, u2 and u3 are the repeating variables; and
the exponents ai, bi, and ci are determined so that the combination is dimensionless.
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Determination of Pi Terms
Step 7. Check all the resulting pi terms to make sure they are dimensionless.
Substitute dimensions of variables into pi terms to confirm that they are dimensional.
Good way to do this is to express the variables in term of M, L, T if the basic dimensions F,
L, Twere used, or vice versa.
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Determination of Pi Terms
Step 8. Express the final form as a relationship among the pi terms and think about
what it means.
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