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Bansal: Dimensional and Model Analysis: S - Toc - R&HL En#v Onepage&q&f True

Buckingham's π method is an improvement over Rayleigh's method of dimensional analysis. It allows determining the number of dimensionless groups (π terms) that will be expected in advance of the analysis. If there are n total variables and m fundamental dimensions, there will be (n-m) dimensionless π terms. Each π term is formed by combining m variables in a way that involves all fundamental dimensions, without forming non-dimensional parameters from the repeating variables alone. This allows writing the functional relationship between variables in terms of dimensionless π groups alone.

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115 views10 pages

Bansal: Dimensional and Model Analysis: S - Toc - R&HL En#v Onepage&q&f True

Buckingham's π method is an improvement over Rayleigh's method of dimensional analysis. It allows determining the number of dimensionless groups (π terms) that will be expected in advance of the analysis. If there are n total variables and m fundamental dimensions, there will be (n-m) dimensionless π terms. Each π term is formed by combining m variables in a way that involves all fundamental dimensions, without forming non-dimensional parameters from the repeating variables alone. This allows writing the functional relationship between variables in terms of dimensionless π groups alone.

Uploaded by

Bin Iqbal
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bansal: Dimensional and Model Analysis

https://books.google.co.in/books?id=nCnifcUdNp4C&pg=PA554&source=gb
s_toc_r&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=true
Buckingham’s π Method
When a large number of physical variables are involved, Rayleigh’s
method of dimensional analysis becomes increasingly laborious and
cumbersome. Buckingham’s method is an improvement over the
Rayleigh’s method. Buckingham designated the dimensionless group
by the Greek capital letter π (Pi). It is therefore often called
Buckingham’s π method.
The advantage of this method over Rayleigh’s method is that it let us
know, in advance of the analysis, as to how many dimensionless
groups are to be expected.
Buckingham’s π Method (Statement)
“If there are n variables (dependent and independent variables) in a
dimensionally homogeneous equation and if these variables contain m
fundamental dimensions (such as M,L,T etc.), then the variables are arranged
into (n−m) dimensionless terms. These dimensionless terms are called π
terms”
Mathematically, if any variable 𝑋1 depends on independent variables 𝑋2 , 𝑋3 ,
𝑋4 ,……. 𝑋𝑛 ; the functional equation may be written as
𝑋1 = f (𝑋2 , 𝑋3 , 𝑋4 ,……. 𝑋𝑛 )
It can also be written as, 𝑓1 (𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , 𝑋3 ,……. 𝑋𝑛 ) = 0
It is a dimensionally homogeneous equation and contains n variables.
Buckingham’s π Method (Statement)
If there are m fundamental dimensions, then according to Buckingham’s π
method, it can be written in terms of number of π terms (dimensionless group),
in which number of π terms is equal to (n−m). Hence equation becomes as:
𝑓1 (π1 , π2 , π3 ,……. π𝑛−𝑚 ) = 0
Each dimensionless π term is formed by combining m variables out of the total
n variables with one of the remaining (n−m) variables that is: each π term
contains (m+1) variables.
These m variables which appear repeatedly in each of π terms are consequently
called repeating variables and are chosen from among the variables such that
they together involve all the fundamental dimensions and they themselves don
not form a dimensionless parameter.
Selection of repeating Variables
1. Repeating variables must contain jointly all the fundamental dimensions
involved in the phenomenon. Usually the fundamental dimensions are M,L
and T.
2. The repeating variables must not form the non-dimensional parameters
among themselves.
3. As far as possible, dependent variables should not be selected as repeating
variables.
4. No two repeating variables should have the same dimensions.
5. Repeating variables should be chosen in such a way that one variable
contains geometric property (length, diameter, height), other variable
contains flow property (velocity, acceleration) and third variable contains
fluid property (mass density, weight density, dynamic viscosity).
Problem: Bansal#568
The pressure difference Δp in a pipe of diameter D and length l due to
viscous flow depends on velocity V, viscosity µ and density ρ. Using
Buckingham’s π theorem, obtain an expression for Δp.
Step 1: Selection of repeating variables
Step 2: Calculate π terms
Step 2: Calculate π terms
Step 3: Final expression

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