Friction Loss in Pipe

Flow

INSTRUCTED BY: Mr. H Rathnasuriya

NAME

V.W.MEEMADUMA

INDEX NUMBER

090325G

COURSE:

MPR

GROUP:

B3

DATE OF PER:

2010.08.03

DATE OF SUB:

2010.08.17

1.0 Introduction
Energy Loses Occur in pipe flow due to frictional resistance at the pipe surface. Such head losses are
known as frictional resistance head losses. It is important to determine frictional head losses in many
pipe flow problems.
Objectives
To verify that the friction factor in pipe flow varies as expressed in the Darcy-Weisbach and HagenPoiseuille equations for a
(a) Small diameter pipe (3 mm)
(b) Commercially used PVC pipe
(c) Commercially used Galvanized Iron (GI) pipe
Theory
The frictional head loss (hf) depends on the type of flow, which can be laminar or turbulent. In laminar
flow, fluid flows in layers with orderly movement of fluid particles while in Turbulent flow fluid particles
move in a disorderly manner, as shown in Figure below.

Whether the flow is laminar or turbulent is decided by a non-dimensional Reynolds number Re which is
expressed as
Re =
Where = Fluid density, v = Flow Velocity, D = pipe diameter,

= Fluid viscousity

In pipes, the flow is laminar when Re < 2000 and turbulent when Re > 4000 with flow transition taking
place when 2000 < Re < 4000
Various scientists had a need to evaluate the frictional head loss for a given pipe flow. As a result of this,
certain formulae were created, some experimentally while others theoretically. From these formulae
two equations for the two separate flow states of turbulent and laminar are used commonly by
engineers to model pipe systems today.
For turbulent flow hf is given by the Darcy-Weisbach equation,

hf =
where = friction factor, L = pipe length and g = Accelaration due to gravity

For Laminar Flow hf is determined by the Hagen-Poiseuille Equation,

hf =

If the Hagen-Poiseuille Equation is expressed in the form of the Darcy-Weisbach equation, an equivalent
friction factor can be defined for laminar flow so that
hf =

yielding

Apart from these equations, some other empirical equations are used occasionally
Eg: The Hazen-Williams formula
hf =
here C is a dimensional constant dependent on the pipe material and diameter and having values
between 75-150.
In both these cases, the friction factor can be found using several different methods.
1. Applying the Colebrook-White equation
The general form of the Colebrook-White equation is as follows

Where k = surface roughness of the pipe, D = diameter of pipe and

Here

= f(( ) therefore it is solved by iterative methods

However at lower Re values (Re

4000)

<<<

Then at lower Re values (Re

0 Therefore
These are known as Prandtl and Von Karmann equations.

= friction factor

2. Using the Moody Diagram

The Variation of

with the relative roughness

and Re values are graphically expressed in the Moody

diagram. This diagram has been obtained through a various number of experimental data and any pipe
obeying normal frictional flows will have values within the chart in the respected areas ( turbulent or
laminar). This method is rather easier and less time consuming than solving the above mentioned
equations.

3. Using Wallingford charts or tables

The Darcy-Weisbach equation and the Colebrook-White equation have been graphically represented in
charts for the hydraulic design of channels and pipes and have been tabularly represented in tables
for the hydraulic design of channels and pipes which have been published by the Hydraulic research
station, Wallingford, UK. Thus the name Wallingford charts and Wallingford tables being given to them.
These provide yet another convenient method for engineers to obtain various properties for a pipe flow,
not only the friction factor but also the required pipe diameter for a certain flow rate or the velocity in a
pipe for a particular roughness value hence eliminating the need to be involved in tedious sums using
the Colebrook-White equation.

Apparatus
1. Pipe Friction Apparatus 1 (for pipe with small diameter)

2. Pipe Friction Apparatus 2 (For larger diameter pipes)

3. Stop Watch
4. Measuring Vessel
5. Ruler/Measuring Tape
Methodology

For horizontal pipe of uniform diameter, hf ( frictional head loss) can be expressed as
hf =
Where P1 and P2 are the pressures at sections (1) and (2) respectively, as shown in the above diagram,
which can be measured by the piezometers or the differential manometer.

V can be expressed as
V=

in which flow rate = Q =

where

is the volume of outflow in a time

Re can be calculated by the equation given earlier and therefore

can be calculated using the Darcy-Weisbach equation and the Darce-Weisbach equivalent for the
Hagen-Poiseuille equation.
hf =

and Re =

then, hf =

(where V =

and Re =

2.0 Procedure
Fix the apparatus as shown in the above diagrams for the two pipe cases.
Once a specific flow rate is set by the water pump do not adjust the pump, only adjust the flow
rate through the control valve at the down stream end.
First compare manometer readings at minimum and maximum output flow rates in pipes and
divide the difference in readings by the number of records to be taken in order to approximate a
periodical change in pressures to obtain flow rate values.
Obtain steady flow rates for different manometer readings and record them.
For each flow the outflow in a time is measured three times for an average value to be taken for
better accuracy of experimental values.
Measure the length of Pipe.
Record the diameter of the pipe.
Special considerations to be taken when handling the pipe of small diameter

Special care should be taken to observe that the manometric liquid and piezometric liquids do
not mix.
Also the dropping of the piezometric liquid level inside the pipe should be avoided.
To obtain a larger range or readings the internal pressure of the piezometric apparatus can be
increased by using a bicycle pump, but attention should be paid to the piezometric levels to
ensure none of the above mentioned occurs.

3.0 Calculations
PVC Pipe
a1x10- a2x10- deltaVx103(m)
3(m)
6(m3)
t1

21.9

19.9

19

17.5

16.7

16

15.4

14.8

14.3

8.5

9.4

10.5

11.4

11.9

12.5

12.9

13.2

Length (m) = 6.16

Diameter (m) = 0.016

t2

t3

Qx106(m3/s)

hfx103(m)

lambdax10
9
Re

10940 27.17 26.82 27.06 404.9352252 187.74

2.35637E12 36224.79

10940 31.76 31.87 31.92 343.4850863 143.64

2.50563E12 30727.57

10940 35.36 35.13

2.58649E12 27753.28

35.3 310.2372625 120.96

4790 19.13 19.16 18.81 251.6637478

4790 22.34 22.65 22.41 213.2047478

4790 26.34 26.76 26.99

179.423149

4790 32.16 32.06 32.13 149.1437468

4790 40.95 41.25 42.33

4790 58.89

115.393881

59 58.42 81.50416879

88.2

2.86606E12

22513.4

66.78

3.0235E12 19072.92

51.66

3.30259E12 16050.88

36.54

3.38077E12 13342.14

23.94

3.70012E12 10322.93

13.86

4.29399E12

7291.22

GI Pipe
a1x103(m)

26.3

28.2

29.3

30.5

32.5

34.1

36

a2x103(m)

deltaVx106(m3)

24.3

22.5

21.4

20.3

18.4

16.8

15

4790

4790

4790

4790

4790

4790

4790

t1

61.75

36.39

30.6

26.8

22.24

20.61

18.75

t2

61.49

35.68

30.99

27.14

22.86

20.37

18.33

t3

61.24

36.16

29.89

27.05

22.62

20.91

18.29

Qx106(m3/s)

77.89462272

132.7727987

157.0835155

177.4293123

212.1972829

232.1861367

259.5268196

hfx103(m)

lambdax10
9

25.2

1.76645E11

6026.652

71.82

1.73278E11

10272.54

99.54

1.71574E11

12153.44

128.52

1.73635E11

13727.58

177.66

1.67813E11

16417.55

217.98

1.71973E11

17964.08

264.6

1.67087E11

20079.41

21671.59

Re

37.7

13.6

10940

39.09

38.99

39.09

280.1058291

303.66

1.64611E11

39

12.5

10940

36.95

37.38

37.59

293.2451751

333.9

1.65147E11

22688.17

371.7

1.57708E11

24496.05

415.8

3.35429E12

56178.32

40.5

42.5

11

9.5

Length (m) = 6.16

Diameter (m) = 0.0185

10940

10940

35.3

15.02

34.69

15.27

33.67

14.91

316.6120008

726.1061947

a1x103(m)

390

393

398

402

412

455

493

410

494

a2x103(m)

355

347

339

326

311

257

211

37

38

deltaVx106(m3)

100

100

100

100

200

200

200

250

300

t1

76.97

52.94

41.59

32.39

48.77

38.23

31.86

34.46

35.98

t2

76.92

52.91

42.08

32.7

48.82

38.75

32.05

34.11

35.93

t3

76.84

53.07

41.91

32.38

48.71

39.22

32.13

34.34

34.99

Qx106(m3/s)

1.300221038

1.88774226

2.388915432

3.077870114

4.101161996

5.163511188

6.247396918

7.287921485

8.419083255

hfx103(m)

lambdax10
9

35

1.16077E10

620.3493

46

7.23745E11

900.6619

59

5.79647E11

1139.777

76

4.49807E11

1468.485

101

3.36683E11

1956.708

198

4.16378E11

2463.566

282

4.05102E11

2980.699

373

3.93745E11

3477.145

456

3.60702E11

4016.834

4350.553

Re

528

15

300

33.13

32.42

33.15

9.118541033

513

3.45923E11

274

317

400

43.22

43.61

42.89

9.250693802

541.8

3.5498E11

4413.604

592.2

3.78253E11

4470.118

4657.388

272

319

400

42.25

42.38

43.45

9.369144285

272

319

400

40.51

41.11

41.31

9.761652973

592.2

3.48446E11

271

320

400

39.27

39.35

40.21

10.09845998

617.4

3.39445E11

4818.082

680.4

3.34813E11

5092.801

730.8

3.51978E11

5147.75

781.2

3.55044E11

5299.266

268

266

264

322

324

326

400

400

500

37.7

37.82

44.83

37.2

36.66

45.19

37.52

36.74

45.03

10.67425725

10.78942636

11.10699741

4.0 Discussion
Significance of Frictional Head loss in the analysis of pipe flow
Analysis of pipe flow deals with the characteristics of fluid flowing within a pipe. The flow rate between
points of the pipe, the velocity of the fluid, etc In an ideal pipe having no head loss one could simply
find all above mentioned factors if the necessary data about the pipe was given, since the Head
differences at two points would be the same. However if there were to be some limiting force against
the flow of the water, the analysis of the flow would not be as straight forward. As there is no ideal pipe
in practical applications there will always exist a frictional head loss, no matter how minimal it maybe,
affecting the fluid flow in the pipe.
More accurately there will be two types of head loss, frictional and local, but in civil engineering
applications where we deal with considerably larger pipes with a small number of bends the local losses
reduce to something comparatively negligible. Hence the frictional head loss becomes the major
component. Therefore it is vital that frictional head loss be taken into account when analysing pipe
flows.

Smooth Turbulent Flow

If the Renault Number in a fluid undergoing turbulent flow is close to the value 4000 then it is knows as
a smooth turbulent flow.

Rough Turbulent Flow

If the Renault Number in a fluid undergoing turbulent flow is very high then it is knows as a rough
turbulent flow.

Transitional Turbulent Flow

Transitional turbulent flow is a region in between the smooth turbulent flow and rough turbulent flow
having fluid with a moderate Renault number.

Hydraulically Smooth Pipes

If the Flow rate inside a pipe can produce a laminar flow then the pipe is said to be a hydraulically
smooth pipe. Concrete, Cast iron, Copper and Glass all produce smooth pipes. The surface roughness
plays a major role in deciding the flow rate at which turbulent flow occurs. Therefore a material with
higher surface roughness can cause turbulent flows at lower flow rates.

Hydraulically Rough Pipes

The flow rate in a pipe producing turbulent flow is said to be a hydraulically rough pipe. The surface
roughness values of these pipes are considerably higher, which causes the flow rate to be turbulent at a
lower flow rate than a smooth pipe having identical dimensions.

Behaviour of friction factor and Moody Diagram

For low Re values the fluid remains laminar. Therefore the relationship between the friction factor and
the Re number is
= (64/Re) while for turbulent flows the relationship becomes much more
complicated. Hence the curvatures in the Moody diagram.

Effect of Aging of pipes and friction factor

Aging of a pipe is its prolonged usage. As a pipe is used for a long time, if improperly maintained the
interior will be encrusted with scale, dirt, tubercules or other foreign matter. This causes an increase in
roughness value of the pipe but comparatively the diameter of the pipe is considered as unchanged.
Therefore the relative roughness of the pipe will increase. According to the Moody diagram this increase
in relative roughness will cause an increase in the friction factor as well. ( some studies have shown a 4
inch diameter steel pipe undergoing a 20% increase in friction factor after its roughness was increased
by twice the value from 3 years usage).

Local Losses and their significance in engineering applications

Apart from the Frictional Head losses, Local Head losses ( minor head losses) are incurred at pipe bends,
junctions and valves. These losses occur due to eddy formation generated by the fluid at the fitting. For
cases where pipes are shorter the local losses could be higher than the frictional head loss, therefore it
is important to consider this in such situations or there would be an error in any assumption made
about the flow system.
Local head loss can be expressed in the form hl =kl
Where kl = constant for a particular fitting
An expression can be derived for kl in terms of the area of the pipe.
The types of local losses are
1. Sudden Contraction

2. Sudden Expansion

3. Head Losses due to Bending

4. Losses due to pipe junctions

5.0 References
Flows of fluids through valves, fittings and Pipes. Crane (p12)
Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Taylor & Francis, 2004, (p112)