DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

Session VII

Methods of Dimensional Analysis

There are two methods of dimensional analysis.
1. Rayleighs method
2. Buckinghams ( theorem) method

1. Rayleighs method
Rayleighs method of analysis is adopted when number of parameters or
variables are less (3 or 4 or 5).
Methodology
X1 is a function of
X2, x3, X4, , Xn then it can be written as
X1 = f(X2, x3, X4, , Xn)
X1 = K (X2a, x3b, X4c, )
Taking dimensions for all the quantities
[X1] = [X2]a [X3]b [X4]c
Dimensions for quantities on left hand side as well as on the right hand side
are written and using the concept of Dimensional Homogeneity a, b, c . can be
determined.
Then,
X1 = K X2a X3b X4c

Problems 1: Velocity of sound in air varies as bulk modulus of electricity K,

K
Mass density . Derive an expression for velocity in form C =

Solution:
C = f (K, )
C = M Ka b
M Constant of proportionality

[C] = [K]a []b

[LMoT-1] = [L-1MT-2]a [L3MTo]b

C Velocity

LMoT-1

K Bulk modulus L-1MT-2

[LMoT-1] = [L-a+(-36) Ma+b T-2a]

- Mass density

L-3MTo

- a 3b = 1
a+b=0
- 2b = 1
b=
a=

1
2

1
2

C = MK1/2 -1/2
C=M

If, M = 1, C =

Problem 2: Find the equation for the power developed by a pump if it depends on
bead H discharge Q and specific weight of the fluid.

Solution:
P = f (H, Q, )
P = K Ha Qb c
[P] = [H]a [Q]b []c
[L2MT-3] = [LMoTo]a [L-2MT-2]b [L-2MT-2]c
2 = a + 3b 2c
1=c
-3=-b-2

Power

= L2MT-3

Head

= LMoTo

Discharge
= L3MoT-1
Specific Weight = L-2MT-2

-3= -b2
b=-2+3
b=1
2=a+32
a=1
2

P = K H1 Q1 1
P=KH Q
When,

K=1
P=H Q

Problem 3: Find an expression for drag force R on a smooth sphere of diameter D

moving with uniform velocity V in a fluid of density and dynamic viscosity ..

Solution:
R = f (D, V, , )
R = K Da Vb c, d
[R] = [D]a [V]b []c []d
[LMT-2] = [LMoTo]a [LMoT-1]b [L-3MTo]c [L-1MT-1]d
c+d=1
c=1d
bd=2

= LMT-2

Diameter

= LMoTo

Velocity

= LMoT-1

Mass density = L3MTo

b=2d

Dynamic Viscosity = L1
MT-1

1 = a + b 3c d
1 = a + 2 d 3 (1 d) d
1 = a + 2 d 3 + 3d d
a=2d
R = K D2-d V2-d 1-d, d
R=K

Force

D2 V2
d d d
d
D V

R=K V D

VD
2

R = V2 D2

VD

 VD
R = V2 D2

R = V2 D2 [NRe]

Problem 4: The efficiency of a fan depends on the density dynamic viscosity ,

angular velocity , diameter D, discharge Q. Express efficiency in terms of
dimensionless parameters using Rayleighs Method.
- LoMoTo

Solution:

- L-3MTo

= f (, , , D, Q)

- L-1MT-1

=k D Q
a

- LoMoT-1

[] = []a []b []c [D]d [Q]e

D - LMoTo

Q - L3MoT-1
[L M T ] = [L MT ] [L MT ] [L M T ] [LMoTo]d
o

o o

-3

o a

-1

-1 b

o -1 c

[L3MoT-1]-1 [LoMoTo] [L-3a-b+d+3e Ma+b T-b-c-e]

a+b=0
a= b
bce=0
c=be
3a b + d + 3e = o
+ 3b b + d + 3e = 0
d = 2b 3e
= K -b b -b-e D-2b-3e Qe
=K

1
1
1
b b e 2 b 3
b

D D

Q
= K

2
3
D D

Q
=Q
,
2
3
D D

Q2

Problem 5: The capillary rise H of a fluid in a tube depends on its specific weight
and surface tension and radius of the tube R prove that

H
2 .
R
R

Solution:
H = f (, , R)
H = K a b Rc
[H] = []a [] b [R]c
[LMoTo] = [L-2MT-2]a [LoMT-2]b [LMoTo]c
[LMoTo] = [L-2a+c Ma+b T -2a-2b]

H - LMoTo

2a + c = 1

- L-2MT-2

a+b=0

- LoMT-2

2a 2b = 0

R - LMoTo

c 1
a=

2
c 1
b 0
2

1c
b=

H=K
H=K

c 1

2
2

1c
2

Rc

Rc

2 2 Rc
H
=K 1 c
R
2 2 R
12 R 12
H

1
=K
12 c 2
R

H = K -b b R1-2b
H=K

b
R

R2


H=K 2
R

H
2 .
R
R
2. Buckinghams Method
This method of analysis is used when number of variables are more.
Buckinghams Theorem
If there are n variables in a physical phenomenon and those n-variables
contain m dimensions, then the variables can be arranged into (n-m) dimensionless
groups called terms.
Explanation:
If f (X1, X2, X3, Xn) = 0 and variables can be expressed using m
dimensions then.
f (1, 2, 3, n - m) = 0
Where, 1, 2, 3, are dimensionless groups.
Each term contains (m + 1) variables out of which m are of repeating type
and one is of non-repeating type.
Each term being dimensionless, the dimensional homogeneity can be used
to get each term.

Selecting Repeating Variables

1. Avoid taking the quantity required as the repeating variable.
2. Repeating variables put together should not form dimensionless group.
3. No two repeating variables should have same dimensions.
4. Repeating variables can be selected from each of the following properties.
a. Geometric property

Length, height, width, area

b. Flow property

Velocity, Acceleration, Discharge

c. Fluid property

Mass density, Viscosity, Surface tension