In scale models, should Froude Number or Reynolds Number be adopted to obtain similarity between model and prototype?
Froude number is used when gravitation forces is predominant in the channel flow. Reynolds number is adopted when viscous forces are predominant in the channel flow. It is almost impossible to make Froude number and Reynolds number identical in model and prototype. Therefore, the use of these numbers should be judged case by case. For instance, in open channel flow Froude Number is used in the scale models as gravitation forces is predominant. This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.
