This document discusses dimensional analysis and modeling. It covers key concepts like dimensions, units, dimensional homogeneity, and non-dimensionalization. The document explains how dimensional analysis is used to develop non-dimensional parameters that enable experimental testing and scaling laws. It provides examples of applying the method of repeating variables to problems in mechanics. Maintaining complete similarity is challenging, so dimensional analysis is important for designing experiments and interpreting results where full similarity cannot be achieved.
This document discusses dimensional analysis and modeling. It covers key concepts like dimensions, units, dimensional homogeneity, and non-dimensionalization. The document explains how dimensional analysis is used to develop non-dimensional parameters that enable experimental testing and scaling laws. It provides examples of applying the method of repeating variables to problems in mechanics. Maintaining complete similarity is challenging, so dimensional analysis is important for designing experiments and interpreting results where full similarity cannot be achieved.
This document discusses dimensional analysis and modeling. It covers key concepts like dimensions, units, dimensional homogeneity, and non-dimensionalization. The document explains how dimensional analysis is used to develop non-dimensional parameters that enable experimental testing and scaling laws. It provides examples of applying the method of repeating variables to problems in mechanics. Maintaining complete similarity is challenging, so dimensional analysis is important for designing experiments and interpreting results where full similarity cannot be achieved.
This document discusses dimensional analysis and modeling. It covers key concepts like dimensions, units, dimensional homogeneity, and non-dimensionalization. The document explains how dimensional analysis is used to develop non-dimensional parameters that enable experimental testing and scaling laws. It provides examples of applying the method of repeating variables to problems in mechanics. Maintaining complete similarity is challenging, so dimensional analysis is important for designing experiments and interpreting results where full similarity cannot be achieved.
Dimensions: measure of a physical quantity, e.g., mass, length, time. Units: assignment of a number to a dimension, e.g., kg, m, s. 7 Primary Dimensions: 1.Mass m (kg) 2.Length L (m) 3.Time t (sec) 4.Temperature T (K) 5.Current I (A) 6.Amount of Light C (cd) 7.Amount of matter N (mol)
M-L-T System Three fundamental dimensions in mechanics: Mass [M], Length [L], Time [T] All other dimensions can be formed by a combinations of these fundamental dimensions. Acceleration velocity/time
Force mass acceleration
[A] [ L / T ]/[T ] [ LT -2 ]
[ F ] [ M ][ LT -2 ] [ MLT -2 ]
Energy force distance
Pressure force/area
[ E ] [ MLT -2 ][ L] [ ML2T -2 ]
[ P] [ MLT -2 ]/[ L2 ] [ ML1T -2 ]
Density = mass/volume
Viscosity=shear stress/shear rate
[ ] [ M ]/[ L3 ] [ ML3 ]
[ ] [ ML1T -2 ]/[T 1 ] [ ML1T -1 ]
Dimensional Homogeneity Law of dimensional homogeneity (DH): every additive term in an equation must have the same dimensions. Example: Bernoulli equation
Non-dimensionalization of Equations Given the law of Dimensional Homogeneity, if we divide each term in the equation by a collection of variables and constants that have the same dimensions, the equation is rendered non-dimensional (or normalized). In the process of non-dimensionalizing an equation, non-dimensional parameters often appear, e.g., Reynolds number and Froude number.
Normalization of Equations Advantages of normalizing an equation Increases insight about key parameters. Decreases the number of parameters in the problem. Easier communication Fewer experiments Fewer simulations Extrapolation of results to untested conditions.
Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
Nondimensionalization of an equation is useful only when the equation is known! In many real-world flows, the equations are either unknown or too difficult to solve. Experimentation is the only method of obtaining reliable information In most experiments, geometrically-scaled models are used (time and money). Experimental conditions and results must be properly scaled so that results are meaningful for the full-scale prototype. Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
Primary purposes of dimensional analysis To generate nondimensional parameters that help in the design of experiments (physical and/or numerical) and in reporting of results To obtain scaling laws so that prototype performance can be predicted from model performance. To predict trends in the relationship between parameters.
Similarity Geometric Similarity - the model must be the same shape as the prototype. Each dimension must be scaled by the same factor. Kinematic Similarity - velocity as any point in the model must be proportional. Dynamic Similarity - all forces in the model flow scale by a constant factor to corresponding forces in the prototype flow. Complete Similarity is achieved only if all 3 conditions are met. This is not always possible, e.g., river hydraulics models.
P Groups Complete similarity is ensured if all independent P groups are the same between model and prototype. What is P? We let uppercase Greek letter P denote a nondimensional parameter, e.g.,Reynolds number Re, Froude number Fr, Drag coefficient, CD, etc. Consider automobile experiment Drag force is F = f(V, , L) Through dimensional analysis, we can reduce the problem to
Nondimensional Parameters Reynolds number
Inertia force Viscous force
Re
Inertia force Froude number Gravitational force Inertia force Mach number Elastic force Weber number
Inertia force Surface tension
LV LV
kinematic
viscosity
V Fr gL
V Ma c We
sound speed
V / L
Lower the value of the number, higher the significance of the
corresponding effect relative to inertia, and vice versa.
Method of Repeating Variables
Nondimensional parameters P can be generated by several methods. We will use the Method of Repeating Variables Six steps 1.List the parameters in the problem and count their total number n. 2.List the primary dimensions of each of the n parameters 3.Set the reduction j as the number of primary dimensions. Calculate k, the expected number of P's, k = n - j. 4.Choose j repeating parameters. 5.Construct the k P's, and manipulate as necessary. 6.Write the final functional relationship and check algebra.
Example Ball Falling in a Vacuum
Step 1: List relevant
parameters. z = f(t,w0,z0,g) n = 5. Step 2: Primary dimensions of each parameter z
w0
z0
[ L] [T ] [ LT 1 ] [ L] [ LT 2 ]
Step 3: The number of
primary dimensions (L and T) is j = 2. Number of P's is k=nj=52=3 Step 4: Choose repeating variables w0 and z0
How to Choose Repeating Variables
1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6.
7. 8.
Never pick the dependent variable. Otherwise, it may
appear in all the P's. Chosen repeating parameters must not by themselves be able to form a dimensionless group. Otherwise, it would be impossible to generate the rest of the P's. Chosen repeating parameters must represent all the primary dimensions. Never pick parameters that are already dimensionless. Never pick two parameters with the same dimensions or with dimensions that differ by only an exponent. Choose dimensional constants over dimensional variables so that only one P contains the dimensional variable. Pick common parameters since they may appear in each of the P's. Pick simple parameters over complex parameters.
Example (continued) Step 5: Combine repeating parameters into products with each of the remaining parameters, one at a time, to create the Ps. P1 zw0a1 z0b1 a1 and b1 are constant exponents which must be determined. Use the primary dimensions identified in Step 2 and solve for a1 and b1.
P1 zw0a z0b L( LT 1 )a (L)b 1
1
Time equation: T a1 1 a1 0 Length equation: L1 a1 b1 1 1 a1 b1 0 b1 1
This results in
Example (continued) Step 5: continued Repeat process for P2 by combining repeating parameters with t P 2 tw0a2 z0b2
P 2 tw0a z0b T ( LT 1 )a ( L)b
2
Time equation: T 1 a2 1 a2 1
Length equation: La2 b2 1 a2 b2 0 b1 1
This results in
Example (continued) Step 5: continued Repeat process for P3 by combining repeating parameters with g P 3 gw0a3 z0b3
Example (continued) Step 6: Double check that the P's are dimensionless. Write the functional relationship between P's
Or, in terms of non-dimensional (normalized) variables
z w0t w0 * z f (t , Fr ) where z , t , Fr z0 z0 gz0 *
Overall conclusion: Method of repeating variables properly
predicts the functional relationship between dimensionless groups. However, the method cannot predict the exact mathematical form of the equation.
Experimental Testing One of the most useful applications of dimensional analysis is in designing physical and/or numerical experiments, and in reporting the results. Setup of an experiment and correlation of data. Consider a problem with 5 parameters: one dependent and 4 independent. Full test matrix with 5 data points for each independent parameter would require 54 = 625 experiments!! If we can reduce to 2 P's, the number of independent parameters is reduced from 4 to 1, which results in 51 = 5 experiments vs. 625!!
Incomplete Similarity Flows with free surfaces present unique challenges in achieving complete dynamic similarity. For hydraulics applications, depth is very small in comparison to horizontal dimensions. If geometric similarity is used, the model depth would be so small that other issues would arise Surface tension effects (Weber number) would become important. Data collection becomes difficult.
Distorted models are therefore
employed, which requires empirical corrections/correlations to extrapolate model data to full scale.
Incomplete Similarity For ship hydrodynamics, Fr similarity is maintained while Re is allowed to be different. Why? Look at complete similarity:
To match both Re and Fr, viscosity in
the model test is a function of scale ratio! This is not feasible.
