Similitude And Theory Of Models

The concepts of Similitude, Dimensional Analysis and Theory of Models are presented and used in this chapter. They constitute important theoretical tools that allow scientists from many different areas to go further on their studies prior to actual experiments or using small scale models. The applications discussed herein are focused on thermal sciences (Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics). Using a formal approach based on Buckingham’s π -theorem, the paper offers an overview of the use of Dimensional Analysis to help plan experiments and consolidate data. Furthermore, it discusses dimensionless numbers and the Theory of Models, and presents a brief introduction to Scaling Laws.