MODEL ANALYSIS

• Model analysis is an experimental method of solving

complex flow problems that explores the similarity
between the actual flow problem and a scaled replica
of the problem.
• A model is a scaled replica of the actual structure or
system under study. The actual system is called a
prototype. In most cases the model is smaller than the
prototype but in some cases the model is larger than
the prototype.
Advantages of dimensional and model analysis.
1. The performance of the actual fluid system can be
easily predicted in advance from its model.
2. With the help of dimensional analysis, a relationship
between the variables influencing a flow problem in
terms of dimensionless parameters is obtained. This
relationship helps in conduction of tests on the model.

3. The merits of alternative designs can be predicted with

the help of model testing. The most economical and safe
design may be finally adopted.

NB: The tests performed on a model can be used to

obtain in advance, useful information about the
performance of the prototype only if a complete
similarity exists between the model and the prototype.
 SIMILITUDE
• Similitude is defined as the similarity between the
model and its prototype in every respect. That is
the model and the prototype have similar
properties or model and prototype are completely
similar. Three types of similarities must exist
between the model and the prototype. These are:
1. Geometric similarity
2. Kinematic similarity
3. Dynamic similarity
 Geometric Similarity
Geometric similarity is said to exist between the
model and its prototype if the ratio of all
corresponding linear dimensions in the model and
prototype are equal.

Let Lm = length of model

Dm = Diameter of model
Bm = Breadth of model
Am = area of model
Vm = volume of model
 Geometric Similarity

Model Prototype
Let Lp ,Dp , Bp, Ap, Vp denote the corresponding values
for the prototype, For geometric similarity between
model and prototype , we must have Lp/Lm=Bp/Bm=
Dp/Dm= Lr, where Lr is the scale ratio.
• The area ratio is
×
= = × =
×

• Volume ratio is

= = = =
 Kinematic Similarity
A flow field is kinematically similar if, at corresponding
points in the flow, the velocities (at corresponding
times) are in a constant ratio.
For example, the flow over a model airfoil will be
kinematically similar to the full-scale airfoil if:
= = = =

where 1, 2 and 3 denote velocities at corresponding

points in the flow. 2

1
2 3
1
3
 Dynamic Similarity
This implies similarity of forces between model and prototype
• For dynamic similarity we have

= = ……… = .

Also direction of the corresponding forces at the corresponding points in

the model of prototype should be the same.
Types of forces acting moving fluid
• Inertia forces, Fi
• Viscous force, Fv
• Gravity force, Fg
• Pressure force, Fp
• Surface tension forces, Fs
• Elastic force, Fe
• Inertia force (Fi): The product of mass and acceleration of
the flowing fluid and acts in the direction opposite to the
direction of acceleration. It always existing in the fluid flow
problems.
• Viscous force, (Fv): The product of shear stress (t) due to
viscosity and area.
• Gravity force (Fg): The product of mass and acceleration
due to gravity of the flowing fluid. It is present in case of
open surface flow.
• Pressure force (Fp): The product of pressure and cross-
sectional area of the flowing fluid. It is present in pipe flow.
• Surface tension force (Fs): The product of surface tension
and length of surface of the flowing fluid.
• Elastic force (Fe): The product of elastic stress and area of
the flowing fluid.
 Significant Dimensionless Numbers in
Fluid Mechanics
These are dimensionless numbers obtained by dividing
the inertia force by either the (i) viscous force, or (ii)
gravity force, or (iii) pressure force, or (iv) surface tension
force, or (v) elastic force. As these are ratios they are
dimensionless and are also called non-dimensional
parameters.

Important dimensionless numbers in fluid mechanics

are
1. Reynolds number, Re
2. Froude number, Fr
3. Weber number, We
4. Mach number, M
 Reynolds Number (Re)
• Reynolds number, Re is defined as the ratio of inertia force of
flowing fluid to the viscous force of the fluid.
• Inertia force (Fi) = mass × acceleration of lowing fluid.
•
• = (ρ × ) × )
• = × ×
• =
• Viscous force (Fv) = shear stress × area
• = ×
• = ×
• = ×
• =
• Therefore = = = =
ѵ
• μ = absolute viscosity
• ѵ =kinematic viscosity
• V =velocity
• A =velocity
• L= length or linear dimension
• =density

• In pipe flow, the linear dimension L is taken as

diameter D, i.e for pipe flow, Re=
 Froude Number (Fr)

= =

• =
• = × ×
• =
• = × × ×
• = × × ×

• =

• = = =
 Euler Number (Eu)

• = =

• = ×

• = =
 Weber Number (We)

• = =

• =
• = ℎ × ℎ
• = ×

• =
×
• = =
×
• =
 Mach Number (M)
• This is defined as =
• =
• = ×
• =
• =

• = =

• =
• =

• But ⁄ = = ℎ
∴ =
 Model laws or similarity laws
• Dynamic similarity between the model and the
prototype requires that the ratio of the corresponding
force acting at the corresponding points in the model
and the prototype should be equal. That is, for dynamic
similarity between model and prototype, the
dimensionless numbers should be the same for the
model and the prototype.
• However, it is difficult to satisfy the condition that the
dimensionless numbers (Re, Fr, We, Eu, M) be the same
for the model and the prototype.
• Hence models are designed on the basis of ratio of
force which dominates in the phenomenon. The laws
on which the models are designed for dynamic
similarity are called model laws or laws of similarity
 Model laws are:

• Reynolds model law

• Froude model law
• Euler model law
• Weber model law
• Mach model law
 Reynolds model law:
Law in which models are based on Reynolds number
similarity. Models based on Reynolds number include:
• Pipe flow
• Resistance experienced by sub-marines, airplanes
or fully immersed bodies.
These are fluid flow problems where viscous forces
predominate. Models are designed for dynamic
similarity of Reynolds number, which state that the
Reynolds number for the model must be equal to the
Reynolds number for the prototype.
Let
Vm=velocity of fluid in model
ρm=density of fluid in model
Lm=length or linear dimension
μm=viscosity
And Vp, ρp, Lp, μp the corresponding values for the
prototype. Then according to Reynolds no model law,
=
=
. .
=> =1
• Where ρr, Vr, Lr, μr are called scale ratios for density,
velocity, linear dimension and viscosity.
• We can also derive scale ratios for time, acceleration,
force and discharge.
• For Reynolds model law as
• =
• =

• = =
• =
• = ×
• = × = ×
• =
 Examples on Re Similarity
1. A ship 300m long moves in sea water of density
1030 kg/ . A 1: 100 model of this ship is tested in a
wind tunnel. The velocity of air in the wind tunnel
around the model is 30 m/s and the resistance of the
model is 60 N. Determine the velocity of the ship in
the sea water. Also determine the resistance of the
ship in sea water.
Take: ρair =1.21kg/m3, νsea-water = 0.012 stokes and
νair = 0.018 stokes
 Solution
Given:
Length Lp= 300m
νp= 0.012 stokes = 0.012× 10 ⁄
Let velocity of ship = Vp
Resistance = Fp

For the model

Length, Lm = × 300 = 3
Velocity, Vm= 30 ⁄
Resistance, Fm = 60
Density of air, ρm= 1.24 kg/m3
Kinematic viscosity of air, νm = 0.018
= 0.018 × 10 ⁄
For dynamic similarity between prototype p, its model, Reynolds number, should be
equal
⟹ =
ѵ ѵ
ѵ
= . ×
ѵ
. ×
 = × × 30 = 0.2 ⁄
. ×

Resistance = Drag Force = ρV2L2

ℎ = =
1030
=
1.24
1030 300 0.2
= × × = 369.17
1.24 3 30
= 369.17 ×
= 369.17 × 60
=> = 22150
 Examples on Re Similarity
2. An airship is to operate at 20 m/s in air at standard
conditions. A model is constructed to 1:20 scale and
tested in a wind tunnel at the same air temperature
to determine drag. What criterion should be
considered to obtain dynamic similarity? If the model
is tested at 75 m/s, what pressure should be used in
the wind tunnel? If the model drag force is 250 N,
what will be the drag of the prototype?
 Froude (No.) law
• Froude model law is applicable when gravity is the predominant force which controls the
flow in addition to the force of inertia.
• Froude model law is applied to the following fluid flow problems
1. Free surface flows eg. Channels ,weirs, spill ways ,etc
2. Flow of jet from an orifice or nozzle
3. Where waves are likely to be formed on surface.
4. Where fluids of different densities flow over one another.
Thus Froude model law states

• =
=
• If tests are performed at the same place where prototype is to operate, =
• And =
•

• ⟹ = = ,
•
• = = =
• Scale ratio for various physical quantities based on
Froude model law
a. Scale ratio for time
ℎ
=

Time ratio, Tr = = = . = × =

b. Scale ratio for acceleration

=

= = . = . = . =1
c) Scale ratio for discharge
• = = × =

• = = . = . ρ

.
• =

d) Force scale ratio

• F= ×
• =

• = = . .
• If fluid used in model of prototype is the same, ρp = ρm and Fr
= . =
e) Pressure scale ratio

Pressure P= =
= =
f) Power scale ratio, power = work done / time
×
=
×

• , = = × = . .

• = . .
.
• =
 Exercise 3
• A ship model of scale 1/50 is towed through
sea water at a speed of 1m/s. A force of 2N is
required to tow the model. Find the speed of
ship and the propulsive force on the ship if
prototype is subjected to wave resistance only.
 Euler’s model law
• Euler’s model law applies to fluid flow
problems where flow takes place in close pipe
with turbulence fully developed. So that
viscous forces are negligible and gravity force
and surface tension forces are present. Where
the phenomenon of cavitation takes places.
 Weber model law

Applied where we have

• Capillary rise in narrow passages
• Capillary movement of water is soil
• Capillary waves in channels
 Mach model

• =

• Applied where we have

• Capillary rise in narrow passages
• Capillary movement of water is soil
• Flow of aeroplane at supersonic speed
• Aerodynamic testing etc.