Lecture 25- Fluid Mechanics (CH0102)

Mahendra Kumar Pal, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
IIT BHU, Varanasi

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 Course Content
 Introduction Week#1
 Fluid Statics Week#2
 Fluid Kinematics Week#3
 Viscous Flow Week#4
 Fluid Dynamics Week#5
 Flow Through pipes Week#6
 Dimensional Analysis and Hydraulics Similitude Week#7
 Boundary Layer Flow Week#8
Topics for the Module on Dimensional Analysis and Hydraulics Similitude
 Dimensional Analysis
 Buckingham Pi Theorem
 Important Dimensionless Numbers and their Significance
 Geometric, Kinematics and Dynamic Similarity
 Model Studies
 Recap of the Previous Module
 Boundary Layer Flow .
 Boundary Layer Concept
 Displacement and Momentum Energy Thickness
∗
 Laminar and Turbulent Boundary Layer Flow
 Drag Force and Drag Coefficients
∗∗
 Drag on Flat Plate
 Boundary Layer Separation and Control
 Streamlined and Bluffed Bodies
 Lift and drag on Cylinder and an Airfoil
Thodore Von Karman, 1921;
 Introduction to Turbulence
Momentum Interval Theorem
Nondimensional profiles for flat plate boundary layer flow

Velocity Profile
 Recap of the Previous Lecture
 Boundary Layer Flow
 Boundary Layer Concept
 Displacement, Momentum and Energy Thickness
 Laminar and Turbulent Boundary Layer Flow
 Drag Force and Drag Coefficients
 Drag on Flat Plate
 Boundary Layer Separation and Control Also known as Kutta-Joukowski
Equation
 Streamlined and Bluffed Bodies
 Lift and drag on Cylinder and an Airfoil
 Introduction to Turbulence
 Content of the Lecture
 Dimensional Analysis
 Buckingham Pi Theorem
 Important Dimensionless Numbers and their Significance
 Geometric, Kinematics and Dynamic Similarity
 Model Studies
 Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional Analysis is method of Dimensions. It is mathematical technique used in
research work for design and for conducting model tests.

Length , mass and time , are three fixed dimensions which are used to describe the
any physical quantities. These fixed dimensions are called fundamental dimensions or
fundamental quantity.

Secondary or Derived Quantities: are those quantities which posses more than one
fundamental dimensions.
For example, velocity is denoted by distance per unit time ( )
 Dimensional Homogeneity
Dimensional homogeneity means that dimensions of each term in an equation on both
sides are equal. The powers of fundamental dimensions ( ) on both sides will be
identical for dimensionally homogeneous equation.

Lets take an equation

Dimension of LHS:

Dimension of RHS:
 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
Problem Statement: The time period of pendulum depends upon the length of
pendulum and acceleration due to gravity . Derive the expression for time period.
Solution:

Dimension of LHS:
Dimension of RHS
Equating the power of , and on both sides
L:
T: >>>
Thus,

Hence, expression for time period is / /

This method of dimension analysis is called Rayleigh’s Method. This method is used for
determining the expression for a variable which depends upon max 3 or 4 variables.
 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
Problem Statement: Find an expression for drag force on smooth sphere of diameter ,
moving with uniform velocity in a fluid of density and dynamic viscosity .
Solution:

Substituting the dimensions on both side

Equating the power of , and

M:
Here, viscosity is having important role and
L: hence, are expressed in terms of
T:

Substituting these values in expression

 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
Problem Statement: Find an expression for drag force on smooth sphere of diameter ,
moving with uniform velocity in a fluid of density and dynamic viscosity .
Solution:

Substituting the dimensions on both side

Equating the power of , and

 Buckingham Pi Theorem
If there are variables (fundamental and secondary) in a physical phenomena and if
these variables contains m fundamental dimensions ( ), then the variables are
arranged into dimensionless terms. Each term is called term.
Let are variables involved in a physical problem. Let be the
dependent variable and be independent variable on which depends.
Mathematically it is expressed as
Alternatively:
Above equation is a dimensionally homogeneous equation with variables and
fundamental dimensions. According to theorem, expression can be written as

Each of term is dimensionless and independent of the system. Each of the term
contains terms, where m is the number of fundamental dimensions.
 Methods of Dimensional Analysis
Problem Statement: The resisting force of the supersonic plane during flight can be
considered as dependent upon the length of aircraft , velocity , air density , air viscosity
, and bulk modulus . Express the functional relation between these variables and
resisting force
Solution:

Or

Total variables , fundamental =dimensions ,

Number of dimensionless number

 Cont.…
Each term contains terms
Out of 6 variables 𝑅, 𝑙, 𝑉, 𝜌, 𝜇 and 𝐾, three variables are selected as repeating variables. 𝑅 is dependent variable.
The repeating variable should have geometric property, flow property, and geometric property represented by
separate variables.
Hence, these requirements are fulfilled by selecting 𝑙, 𝑉, 𝜌 as repeating variables
Each term is written as
𝜋 = 𝑙 .𝑉 .𝜌 .𝑅
𝜋 = 𝑙 .𝑉 .𝜌 .𝜇
𝜋 = 𝑙 .𝑉 .𝜌 .𝐾
Dimensional homogeneity of each term is checked.
𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 = 𝐿 . 𝐿𝑇 . 𝑀𝐿 . 𝑀𝐿𝑇
𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 = 𝐿 . 𝐿𝑇 . 𝑀𝐿 . 𝑀𝐿 𝑇
𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 = 𝐿 . 𝐿𝑇 . 𝑀𝐿 . 𝑀𝐿 𝑇
Equating the powers of M, L, T on both sides of each of the above equations gives
the expression for each term
 Cont.…
Equating the powers of M, L, T on both sides of each of the above equations gives the expression for each 𝜋 −term

1st -𝝅 term: 𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 = 𝐿 . 𝐿𝑇 . 𝑀𝐿 . 𝑀𝐿𝑇

M: 0 = 1 + 𝑐 >> 𝑐 = −1
L: 0 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 3𝑐 + 1 >>> 𝑎 = −2
T: 0 = −𝑏 − 2 >> 𝑏 = −2
𝑅
𝜋 =
𝑙 𝑉 𝜌

2nd -𝝅 term: 𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 = 𝐿 . 𝐿𝑇 . 𝑀𝐿 . 𝑀𝐿 𝑇
M: 0 = 1 + 𝑐 >> 𝑐 = −1
L: 0 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 3𝑐 − 1 >>> 𝑎 = −1
T: 0 = −𝑏 − 1 >> 𝑏 = −1
𝜇
𝜋 =
𝑙𝑉𝜌

3rd -𝝅 term: 𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 = 𝐿 . 𝐿𝑇 . 𝑀𝐿 . 𝑀𝐿 𝑇
M: 0 = 1 + 𝑐 >> 𝑐 = −1
L: 0 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 3𝑐 − 1 >>> 𝑎 = 0
T: 0 = −𝑏 − 2 >> 𝑏 = −2
𝐾
𝜋 =
𝑉 𝜌
 Cont.…

Substituting the values of 𝜋 , 𝜋 , and 𝜋 terms into expression

𝑅 𝜇 𝐾
𝑓 , , =0
𝑙 𝑉 𝜌 𝑙𝑉𝜌 𝑉 𝜌

Or
𝑅 𝜇 𝐾
=𝜙 ,
𝑙 𝑉 𝜌 𝑙𝑉𝜌 𝑉 𝜌
Or
𝜇 𝐾
𝑅 = 𝜌𝑙 𝑉 𝜙 ,
𝑙𝑉𝜌 𝑉 𝜌
 Model Analysis
For predicting the performance of the hydraulic structures or hydraulic machines, before
constructing or manufacturing, models of the structures or machines are made and tested.
The Model is small replica of actual structure or machine.
Actual structure or machine is called Prototype.

The study of models of actual machines is called Model Analysis, which is an experiment
method of finding solution of complex flow problems. Analytical solutions are available only
for limited flow problems.
 Model Analysis
Advantages
1. The performance of hydraulic structure or machine can be easily predicted in advance
2. With the help of dimensional analysis, a relationship between influencing variables in
terms of dimensionless parameter is obtained.
3. The merits and demerits of various models can be predicted by conducting tests on
models
4. Test performed on models can be utilized for obtaining useful information about the
performance of prototypes only if a complete similarity exists between model and
prototype.
 Similitude-Types of Similarities
Similitude is defined as the similarity between the model and prototype in every respect.
Which means than model and prototype have similar properties.
Geometric Similarity: is said to exist between model and prototype is the ratio of all
corresponding linear dimension in the model and prototype are equal

is called scale ratio

For Area and Volume ratio
 Similitude-Types of Similarities
Similitude is defined as the similarity between the model and prototype in every respect.
Which means than model and prototype have similar properties.
Kinematic Similarity: is said to exist between model and prototype if the ratios of velocity
and acceleration at the corresponding points in the model and at corresponding point in
prototype are the same. Since the velocity and acceleration are vector quantities, ratio of
magnitude shall be same and directions should parallel.

is called velocity ratio

For acceleration

is called acceleration ratio

 Similitude-Types of Similarities
Similitude is defined as the similarity between the model and prototype in every respect.
Which means than model and prototype have similar properties.
Dynamic Similarity: is said to exist between model and prototype if the ratios of force at
the corresponding points in the model and at corresponding point in prototype are the
same. Force directions should parallel.

is called Force ratio

Type of forces acting on moving fluid
1. Inertia force, 2. Viscous Force, 3. Gravity Force, 4. Pressure Force, 5. Surface Tension,
6. Elastic Force
 Dimensionless Numbers
Dimensionless number are those numbers which are obtained by dividing the inertia force
by viscous force, or gravity force or pressure force or surface tension or elastic force.
These are dimensionless number as these are ratio of forces.
Also known as dimensionless parameters

Important dimensionless numbers are

1. Reynold’s Number
2. Froude’s Number
3. Euler’s Number
4. Weber’s Number
5. Mach’s Number
 Dimensionless Numbers
Reynold’s Number ( ): It is defined as ratio of inertia force and viscous force of the
fluid.

Froude’s Number ( ): It is defined as the square root of the ratio of inertia force of fluid
flowing to gravity force

Euler’s Number ( ): It is defined as square root of ratio of inertia force of flowing fluid
and pressure force

4. Weber’s Number
 Dimensionless Numbers
Weber’s Number ( ): It is defined as square root of ratio of inertia force of the flowing
fluid to the surface tension force

Mach’s Number ( ): it is defined as square root of the ratio of inertia force of flowing
force to the elastic force
 Summary of the Lecture
 Dimensional Analysis
 Buckingham Pi Theorem
 Important Dimensionless Numbers and their Significance
 Geometric, Kinematics and Dynamic Similarity
 Model Studies
 Reference Books

Fox and McDonald Dr. R. K. Bansal