Dimensionless Numbers and Similarity

Abstract

This chapter presents the principles of dimensional analysis and the similarity method. Section 5.1 introduces basic aspects of dimensional analysis such as the definition ofIIi ratios and Vashi-Buckingham’s theorem. The practical utility of dimensional analysis is then emphasized using the determination of head loss in a cylindrical pipe as an example. Indeed, dimensional analysis is a necessary step in the analysis of any physical problem [63].