Dimensionless Numbers in Fluid Mechanics

DIMENSIONLESS CONSTANTS
In fluid mechanics, Dimensionless numbers or non-dimensional

numbers are those which are useful to determine the flow characteristics
of a fluid. Inertia force always exists if there is any mass in motion.
Dividing this inertia force with other forces like viscous force, gravity
force, surface tension, elastic force, or pressure force, gives us the
dimensionless numbers. Characteristic numbers are dimensionless
numbers used in fluid dynamics to describe a character of the flow. To
compare a real situation with a small-scale model it is necessary to keep
the important characteristic numbers the same.
Dimensionless Numbers in Fluid Mechanics:

Some important dimensionless numbers used in fluid mechanics and
their importance is explained below.
1. Reynolds Number
2. Froude Number
3. Weber Number
4. Mach Number
5. Euler’s Number
1. Reynolds number:
Reynolds number is the ratio of inertia force to the viscous force. It

describes the predominance of inertia forces to the viscous forces
occurring in the flow systems.
ρ . v .d
Re =
μ
Where,
µ = viscosity of fluid (kg/m.s)
d = diameter of pipe (m)
v = velocity of flow (m/s)
Importance:
Reynolds number is applicable for closed surface flows as well as for

free surface flows. Some applications where Reynolds number is
significant for finding the flow behavior are incompressible flow
through small pipes, the motion of a submarine completely under water,
flow through low-speed turbomachines, etc.
Applications of Reynolds number:
 Reynolds number has a significant influence in fluid mechanics.

 It is utilized when displaying the development of living beings
swimming through water.
 Atmospheric air is viewed as a fluid. Thus, the Reynolds number
can be determined for it.
 It is significant in determination of wind lift on air ship.
 By separating between the streams routines, we know which exact
co-relations to be utilized to have a precise estimation of grinding
misfortunes in the channels. This is one of the straightforward
utilization of the Reynolds number in the field of fluid mechanics.
2. Froude number:
Froude number is the ratio of inertia force to the gravitational force.

Froude number is significant in case of free surface flows where the
gravitational force is predominant compared to other forces.
v
F r=
√g . L
Where,
L = length of flow (m)
g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)
Importance:
Froude number is useful to describe the flow in open channels, flow over
notches and weirs, the motion of a ship in turbulent sea conditions (ship
resistance), flow over spillways, etc.
APPLICATIONS:
The Froude number is used to compare the wave making resistance
between bodies of various sizes and shapes. In free-surface flow, the
nature of the flow (supercritical or subcritical) depends upon whether
the Froude number is greater than or less than unity.
3. Weber number
Weber number is the ratio of inertia force to the surface tension. The
formation of droplets or water bubbles in a fluid is normally due to
surface tension. If Weber number is small, surface tension is larger and
vice versa.
ρd v 2
W e=
σ
Where,
σ= surface density
d = diameter of water droplet (m)
Applications:
Weber number is less than 1 when surface tension is predominant. It

happens when the curvature of the liquid surface is small compared to its
depth. This can be seen in different situations such as the flow of blood
in veins and arteries, atomization of liquids, capillary flow of water in
soils, thin layers of fluid passing over surface, etc.
SIGNIFICANCE:
The dimensionless Weber number represents the ratio of disruptive

hydrodynamic forces to the stabilizing surface tension force. Hence,
the Weber number indicates whether the kinetic or the surface tension
energy is dominant.
4. Mach number
Mach number is the ratio of inertia force to the elastic force. If the Mach
number is one, then the flow velocity is equal to the velocity of sound in
the fluid. If it is less than one, then the flow is called subsonic flow, and
if it is greater than one the flow is called supersonic flow.
v
M a=
c
Where,
v = Velocity of flow (m/s)
c = Velocity of sound in fluid (m/s)
Applications:
Mach number is useful to describe problems in high flow velocities. It is
also used in aerodynamics to describe the speed of jet plane or missile in
terms of speed of sound.
Significance of Mach number:

For instance, gas streaming with a Mach number of under three-tenths
might be viewed as incompressible, or of consistent thickness, an
estimate that incredibly rearranges the investigation of its conduct. For
Mach numbers more noteworthy than one, streamlining reduces stun
wave impacts.
6. Euler’s number
Euler number is the ratio of pressure force to the inertia force.
F
Eu =
ρ v 2 L2
Where,
F = pressure force
L = Characteristic length of flow (m)
Applications
Euler’s number is significant in cases where pressure gradient exists
such as flow through pipes, water hammer pressure in penstocks,
discharge through orifices and mouthpieces, etc.
Significance of Euler number:
It communicates the connection between a nearby weight drop brought

about by a confinement and the dynamic vitality per volume of the
stream, and is utilized to describe vitality misfortunes in the stream,
where an ideal frictionless stream compares to an Euler number of 1.
The opposite of the Euler number is alluded to as the Ruark Number
with the image .

Dimensionless Numbers in Fluid Mechanics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dimensionless Numbers in Fluid Mechanics

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dimensionless Numbers in Fluid Mechanics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DIMENSIONLESS CONSTANTS

In fluid mechanics, Dimensionless numbers or non-dimensional

Dimensionless Numbers in Fluid Mechanics:

Reynolds number is the ratio of inertia force to the viscous force. It

Reynolds number is applicable for closed surface flows as well as for

Applications of Reynolds number:

 Reynolds number has a significant influence in fluid mechanics.

Froude number is the ratio of inertia force to the gravitational force.

Weber number is less than 1 when surface tension is predominant. It

The dimensionless Weber number represents the ratio of disruptive

Significance of Mach number:

Euler number is the ratio of pressure force to the inertia force.

Significance of Euler number:

It communicates the connection between a nearby weight drop brought

You might also like