[Boost-users] [starting to get OT] Re: boost::units primer explained / conversion factors required

Subject: [Boost-users] [starting to get OT] Re: boost::units primer explained / conversion factors required
From: Noah Roberts (roberts.noah_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-07-22 13:17:54

On 7/22/2011 9:43 AM, Michael Powell wrote:
> With this approach, we're getting a compilation error. Not sure what
> we're doing wrong.
>
> #include <boost/units/systems/si.hpp>
> using namespace boost::units;
> using boost::units::si::mass;
> using boost::units::si::pressure;
> using boost::units::si::length;
> using boost::units::si::mass_density;
> using boost::units::si::pascals;
> using boost::units::si::meter;
> using boost::units::si::kilograms_per_cubic_meter;
>
>          typedef derived_dimension<length_base_dimension, 1,
> time_base_dimension, -2>::type si_hsp_conversion_constant_factor;

Are you doing "HSP" as in hydrostatic pressure (head)?  If so, it's a 
unit of length.

If not, but this factor is related to head, which it looks like it could 
be the head/distance, then you're missing an important element to your 
formula: acceleration due to gravity.  This value would indeed be 
dimensionless because head is length.

Engineers leave this value out in some of the formulas they use.  The 
reason they can do this is that they actually use units such that a 1 in 
units mass is equal to 1 in units weight (a force).  For example, 1 lbm 
= 1 lbf.  Thus they feed mass into the equation (from the fluid) but use 
it as if it were force.  This indeed works because the definition of lbf 
is such that it includes g in it and the g cancels out.

When working in SI though this is not possible.  In SI you really need 
to include the g constant: 9.80665 m/s^2.  Your formula might then be 
"press / (den * g) / len"?  That would be the rate of head loss per unit 
length, a dimensionless quantity.