Similitude
Fluid Mechanics · FE Reference Handbook section
Handbook notes for this section
Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.
- In order to use a model to simulate the conditions of the prototype, the model must be geometrically, kinematically, and
- dynamically similar to the prototype system.
- To obtain dynamic similarity between two flow pictures, all independent force ratios that can be written must be the same in
- both the model and the prototype. Thus, dynamic similarity between two flow pictures (when all possible forces are acting) is
- expressed in the five simultaneous equations below.
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
similitude between a spillway model and prototype dam Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 5.6000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 31.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 1.0000 m, determine the model velocity (V_m) in m/s.
Given
Find
model velocity (V_m), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_m is given, so isolate V_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 5.6000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 31.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 1.0000 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_m = 1.0058 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 2.0116 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.5029 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1.1064 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude used in a ship-hull towing tank model Given prototype length (L_p) = 47.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 1.3500 m; model velocity (V_m) = 1.5500 m/s, determine the prototype velocity (V_p) in m/s.
Given
Find
prototype velocity (V_p), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_p is given, so isolate V_p symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_p stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype length (L_p) = 47.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 1.3500 m, model velocity (V_m) = 1.5500 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_p = 9.1456 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 18.2913 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 4.5728 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 10.0602 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude scaling of a scale-model open-channel structure Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 5.5000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 11.0000 m; model velocity (V_m) = 3.4000 m/s, determine the model length (L_m) in m.
Given
Find
model length (L_m), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except L_m is given, so isolate L_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that L_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 5.5000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 11.0000 m, model velocity (V_m) = 3.4000 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_m = 4.2036 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 8.4073 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 2.1018 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 4.6240 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude between a spillway model and prototype dam Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 4.0000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 25.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 0.4000 m, determine the model velocity (V_m) in m/s.
Given
Find
model velocity (V_m), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_m is given, so isolate V_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 4.0000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 25.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 0.4000 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_m = 0.5060 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.0119 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.2530 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.5566 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude used in a ship-hull towing tank model Given prototype length (L_p) = 41.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 1.2000 m; model velocity (V_m) = 0.6500 m/s, determine the prototype velocity (V_p) in m/s.
Given
Find
prototype velocity (V_p), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_p is given, so isolate V_p symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_p stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype length (L_p) = 41.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 1.2000 m, model velocity (V_m) = 0.6500 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_p = 3.7994 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 7.5988 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 1.8997 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 4.1793 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude scaling of a scale-model open-channel structure Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 2.8000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 30.0000 m; model velocity (V_m) = 0.6000 m/s, determine the model length (L_m) in m.
Given
Find
model length (L_m), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except L_m is given, so isolate L_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that L_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 2.8000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 30.0000 m, model velocity (V_m) = 0.6000 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_m = 1.3776 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 2.7551 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.6888 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1.5153 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude between a spillway model and prototype dam Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 2.1000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 14.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 1.8000 m, determine the model velocity (V_m) in m/s.
Given
Find
model velocity (V_m), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_m is given, so isolate V_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 2.1000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 14.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 1.8000 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_m = 0.7530 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.5060 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.3765 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.8283 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude used in a ship-hull towing tank model Given prototype length (L_p) = 10.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 0.9000 m; model velocity (V_m) = 3.1000 m/s, determine the prototype velocity (V_p) in m/s.
Given
Find
prototype velocity (V_p), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_p is given, so isolate V_p symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_p stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype length (L_p) = 10.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 0.9000 m, model velocity (V_m) = 3.1000 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_p = 10.3333 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 20.6667 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 5.1667 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 11.3667 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude scaling of a scale-model open-channel structure Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 2.5000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 28.0000 m; model velocity (V_m) = 2.2000 m/s, determine the model length (L_m) in m.
Given
Find
model length (L_m), in m
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except L_m is given, so isolate L_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that L_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 2.5000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 28.0000 m, model velocity (V_m) = 2.2000 m/s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning L_m = 21.6832 m to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 43.3664 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 10.8416 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 23.8515 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude
similitude between a spillway model and prototype dam Given prototype velocity (V_p) = 8.1000 m/s; prototype length (L_p) = 46.0000 m; model length (L_m) = 1.9500 m, determine the model velocity (V_m) in m/s.
Given
Find
model velocity (V_m), in m/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Similitude (Froude number scaling).
- Everything except V_m is given, so isolate V_m symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Similitude between a scale model and its prototype is maintained by matching the Froude number.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V_m stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: prototype velocity (V_p) = 8.1000 m/s, prototype length (L_p) = 46.0000 m, model length (L_m) = 1.9500 m.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V_m = 1.6677 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 3.3354 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.8339 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1.8345 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Similitude