Dimensional Analysis and Similarity Theory

Content

The focus of this module are dimensionless key figures and their application to the model technique and thus the question: Under which conditions may knowledge gained from model experiments be transferred to a main design? After an introduction that shows the advantages of using dimensionless groups, introductory examples are discussed. Afterwards, a calculation technique is derived and applied which allows to derive a corresponding number of dimensionless similarity laws from any list of relevance of dimensional physical parameters. Further topics are partial similarity and analogy techniques.

• Introduction
• Introducing Examples
• Generation of dimensionless key figures
• Model transfer for partial similarity
• Analogies

Teaching Plan
The lecture will be held in every summer semester and is organized in:

• Lecture: 2 hours per week in the semester.

OPAL-System
Dimensional Analysis and Similarity Theory

Mastery Goals
Students gain an understanding of the application and advantages of dimensionless groups and are able to formulate similarity laws under which model experiments can be developed and performed to investigate prototypes or main designs.

Admission Requirements
None, but a rudimentary knowledge of fluid mechanics is recommendable.

Exam
The course is passed if students attend at the final oral exam successfully