Thermofluids, MM2TF2

2012-2013

SIMILARITY AND DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS SEMINAR 6 EXAMPLES

1. A ship travels at a constant speed on the surface of the sea. A propeller maintains a steady motion such that the thrust force, T, from the propeller exactly matches the resistance of the ship. The motion can be characterized by: ( )

Where L is the length of the ship and V its velocity. Use the Buckingham- theorem to derive the relevant non-dimensional groups. Answer: ( ) or CD=f(Fr, Re)

2.

A torpedo shaped object 900 mm in diameter is to move in air at 60 m/s. Its drag is to be estimated from tests in water using a half-scale model. Determine the necessary speed of the model and the drag of the full-scale object if the measured drag of the model is 1140N. You can assume that CD = 3 f(Re). Take the density and viscosity of water to be 1000 kg/m and 0.001 kg/ms; and the desnsity 3 -5 and viscosity of air to be 1.2 kg/m and 1.8x10 kg/ms respectively.

Ans 308 N

3.

a) The flow through a circular pipe may be metered from the speed of rotation of a propeller having its axis along the pipe centerline. Conduct a Buckingham- analysis to identify the relevant nondimensional groups assuming Q=f(Dpipe,, , , dprop). b) A propeller of 75mm diameter installed in a 150mm diameter pipe carrying water at 42.5 litres per second was found to rotate at 1242 rpm. If a geometrically similar propeller of 375mm diameter rotates at 654 rpm in a pipe of diameter 750mm carrying air, what is the volumetric flowrate. c) Is complete similarity maintained? ( ). b) 2797 litres per second, c) yes, close enough!

Ans: a)

Topic 3: Dimensional analysis and similarity

Thermofluids, MM2TF2 SOLUTIONS

1. ( )

2012-2013

Write down dimensions of each of the variables: Quantity T, thrust (=drag at constant speed) V, velocity , density g, gravitational accn L, length , viscosity n = number of variables = 6 k = number of dimensions = 3 (MLT) Therefore m = number of dimensionless groups = 3 Have to choose which variables to form dimensionless groups with: T is an obvious choice. For boats usually choose g as it generates a Froude number For fluids generally usually choose as it generates a Reynolds number SI unit N m/s 3 kg/m m/s m kg/ms
2

Dimensions -2 MLT -1 LT -3 ML LT L -1 -1 ML T
-2

This leaves V, and L as the repeating variables. [ ] [ ] [ ]

Match up indices for each of the variables (ensure consistency)

o nc or more accurately, 2CD as

] [

] [

o nc

] [

] [

Topic 3: Dimensional analysis and similarity

Thermofluids, MM2TF2
nc

2012-2013

Thus we can say that

The drag coefficient is a function of Reynolds number and Froude number.

2. For the torpedo

For geometric and dynamic similarity both model and full-scale prototype must have the same CD and the same Re. Re similarity Vp = 60 m/s m = 1000 kg/m3, p = 1.2 kg/m3 m = 0.001 kg/ms, p = 1.8x10-5 kg/ms )

Using available data (see box): ( )( )(

CD similarity ( )

Using available data plus the value already obtained for Vm we obtain: ( ) ( )( )

Topic 3: Dimensional analysis and similarity

Thermofluids, MM2TF2
3a. Q=f(Dpipe,, , , dprop) Write down dimensions of each of the variables: Quantity Q, Volume flowrate d (prop diameter) , density , angular velocity D, pipe diameter , viscosity n = number of variables = 6 k = number of dimensions = 3 (MLT) Therefore m = number of dimensionless groups = 3 Have to choose which variables to form dimensionless groups with: SI unit 3 m /s m 3 kg/m Rad/s m kg/ms Dimensions 3 -1 LT L -3 ML T
-1

2012-2013

L -1 -1 ML T

Q is an obvious choice. The propeller diameter or pipe diameter would be a good choice, I chose prop diameter, d For fluids generally usually choose as it generates a Reynolds number

This leaves D, and as the repeating variables. [ ] [ ] [ ]

Match up indices for each of the variables (ensure consistency)

] [

] [

[ ] [

] [

Topic 3: Dimensional analysis and similarity

Thermofluids, MM2TF2

2012-2013

So

3b. For geometric similarity 3 must be constant: ( ( ( Hence there is geometric similarity. For dynamic similarity 1 must be constant. ( ) ( ) ) ) ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Note no requirement to change units as long as the same units are used for both sides of the equation. Complete similarity is maintained if 2 is also constant. Check:

( )

These are not exactly identical but are probably close enough.

Topic 3: Dimensional analysis and similarity