Hydraulic Similitude and
Model Studies
A method used for using the results of experiments
conducted on a scaled model to predict quantitatively the
flow behaviour in a full size hydraulic structure
(prototype).
Principles of Hydraulic Similitude
Similarity between hydraulic models and prototypes may
be achieved in three basic forms
Geometric Similarity
Kinematic Similarity
Dynamic Similarity
Geometric Similarity
The model is geometric reduction of the prototype.
Assured by adopting a fixed scale ratio for all dimensions
Physical quantities involved are length, area and volume
Ratio of length in prototype, Lp and model, Lm is constant
Lp
Lr constant
Lm
Ap Lp 2
Area, product of two lengths = Ar = = L r 2 = constant
Am Lm 2
Vp Lp3
Volume, product of three lengths V = Vr = = L r 3 = constant
m Lm3
Kinematic Similarity
Implies similarity in motion
Attained if the ratio of velocity in the prototype, vp and the
model, vm is kept at constant
Quantities involved are time and length
Ratio of times, Tp
= Tr
Tm
Velocity ratio, vp Lp / Tp
Lr
= = = v r = constant
v m Lm / Tm Tr
Geometric and Kinematic
Similarity
Geometric similarity is not enough to ensure that the flow
patterns are similar in both model and prototype.
The combined geometric and kinematic similarities give the
prototype to model ratios of time, acceleration, discharge.
ap v p / Tp vr
Acceleration, ar
am v m / Tm Tr
Discharge, Qp Vp / Tp Lp3 Tm L r 3
= = x =
Qm Vm / Tm Lm3 Tp Tr
Dynamic Similarity
Implies similarity in forces involved in motion
Attained if the ratio of forces in model and model is kept
at constant value.
Fp 4 2
Force ratio, Fr r r Tr
L
Fm
Work ratio, 5 2
Wr Fr x L r r r Tr
L
Power ratio,
Fr x L r
Pr = = r L r 5Tr 3
Tr
Dynamic Similarity
Fluid system involves several kinds of forces such as forces
due to
Gravity
Viscosity
Elasticity
Surface tension
Pressure
Models are usually not capable of simulating all the forces
simultaneously. In practice, a model is designed to study the
effects of only a few dominant forces.
Dynamic Similarity
The ratio of the inertial force to each of the above component
forces indicates the relative significance of each on overall
system behaviour.
Phenomena Governed by Viscous Force
Eg: A pipeline system or closed system, flow around a
submarine moving at a depth where there are no waves.
Inertial force ratio r Lr 4Tr 2
r Lr vr
= = = R er
Viscous Force ratio r Lr 2Tr 1
r
Dynamic Similarity
If the inertial forces and the viscous force are considered to
be dominant forces governing the motion, the Reynolds
number of the model and prototype must be kept at the
same value ie
pLp vp mLm vm
p m
r Lr vr
1
r
1
if p m and p m then v r Lr
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Gravity Force
Eg: Phenomena where a free surface is present such as
open channel flow, river, estuary, flow over a weir and
spillway, dam etc.
4 2
Inertial force ratio r r Tr
L vr 2
3
Fr
Gravity Force ratio r Lr gr Lr g r
If the gravity force is considered to be dominant forces
governing the motion, the Froude number of the model
and prototype must be kept at the same
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Gravity Force
2 2 2
vp vm vr
or 1
L pg p Lmg m Lr g r
If gp =gm, gr =1, then v r Lr1 / 2
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Pressure Force
Eg: Flow in a closed system. The pressure difference are
basically related to Reynolds number. So for flow of water
in a closed system, Reynolds No similarity is used.
In practice, Euler number, E, similarity is used for scaling
of models using air rather than water.
4 2 2
Inertial force ratio r Lr Tr r vr
2
E
Pr essure Force ratio Pr L r Pr
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Pressure Force
2 2
v
p p v
m m
Pp Pm
2
v
r r
1
Pr
If p m then r 1
vr Pr1 / 2
Dynamic Similarity
Phenomena Governed by Surface Tension
Eg: Phenomena where there is air-water interface such as
low head weir, splash or sprayed, evaporation.
4 2 2
Inertial force ratio r r Tr
L L v
r r r
Wr
Surf . T Force ratio r Lr r
If surface tension force is considered to be dominant forces
governing the motion, the Weber number of the model
and prototype must be kept at the same value ie
Distorted Model
In undistorted model, difficulty that may rise
Problem of measurement, depth and velocities will be
very small, unless the geometric scale is very large (not
economic, take space)
The Reynolds number in the model is not high enough
to ensure turbulent flow
Difficulty to achieve the surface roughness required
Distorted Model
Reasons for model distortion
To achieve higher Reynolds Number
To improve relative accuracy of measurements
Shortening model test duration
Decreasing water loss due to evaporation
Distorted Model
A distorted model is a physical model in which the
horizontal and vertical scales are different.
Usually, horizontal scale Lr > vertical scale hr.
Frp Frm
vp2 vm2
gp yp gm ym
1/ 2
vp yp
vr h r1 / 2
vm ym
Distorted Model
A distorted model is a physical model in which the
horizontal and vertical scales are different.
Usually, horizontal scale Lr > vertical scale hr.
Frp Frm
2 2
vp vm
gp yp gm ym
1/ 2
vp yp
vr h r1 / 2
vm ym
The velocity is related to vertical scale
Distorted Model
Discharge ratio,
1/ 2 3/ 2
Q vA hr (L r h r ) Lr h r
Manning ratio,
1 2 / 3 1/ 2
vr R r Sr For very wide and shallow river
nr R y. Rr = yr = hr
1/ 2
1/ 2 1 2/3 hr
hr hr
nr Lr
nr h r 2 / 3L r 1/ 2
SUMMARY
In practice, most hydraulic models are scaled with either
Froude or Reynolds number.
Free surface modeling is most often performed with the
same fluid (eg. Water) in prototype and the model.
Fully enclosed flow modeling might be performed with
water in the prototype and air in the model.
Hydraulic structure is usually scaled undistorted and
based on Froude number similarity.
River modeling usually used distorted scale.
