UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CEWB121 MECHANICS OF FLUID LABORATORY

OPEN ENDED EXPERIMENT REPORT
EXP. TITLE

: HEAD LOSS DUE TO FRICTION AND PIPE FITTING IN

ROUND SMOOTH PIPE

EXP. NO

:5

STUDENT NAME : NUR FAREHA BINTI ABDUL GHAFAR

STUDENT ID

: CE096508

SECTION

: 01

GROUP

: 02

GROUP MEMBERS: 1. AZRUL AFFAN BIN MUHAMAD RASHIDI

CE096502
2. HARIGARAN A/L KANDASAMY
CE096504
3. MOHAMMAD OMAR HAMID WAGIEALLA
CE097089
INSTRUCTOR

: PROF. IR. DR. MARLINDA BINTI ABDUL MALEK

Performed Date
10

TH

Due Date
AUGUST 2015

Submitted Date
10TH AUGUST 2015
1

TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE
Objective

PAGE
3

Theory

3-7

Anticipated Results

8 - 10

Apparatus

11 - 12

Procedure

13-15

Data, Observations and Results

16 - 21

Discussions

22

Conclusions

23

Critique

23

References

23

Appendix

24

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to measure head loss in pipes for different water
flow rates and pipe diameters. The experiment is also conducted to estimate the values of loss
coefficient for pipes of different flow conditions and diameters and determine the effect of
sudden change in pipe diameter and flow direction on the total energy or head losses in pipes.
THEORY
In Bernoulli's equation, hf represents the head loss due to friction between the fluid and the
internal surface of the constant diameter pipe as well as the friction between the adjacent fluid
layers
p1/g + V12/2g + Z1 = p2 / g + V22/2g + Z2 + hf

(1)

This will result in a continuous change of energy from a valuable mechanical form (such as
kinetic or potential energies) to a less valuable thermal form that is heat. This change of energy is
usually referred to as friction head loss, which represents the amount of energy converted into
heat per unit weight of fluid.

The head losses (hf) in pipe due to friction can be determined using Darcy-Weisbach
equation;
Turbulent flowhf = 4 fLV2
2 gD

(2)

Where:
f
L
V
g
D

=
=
=
=
=

Friction factor
Length
Mean velocity (Q/A)
Gravity
Constant diameter

The friction head loss for both laminar and turbulent flows can be expressed by similar formulas
although the original derivation of each one is different:
hf f

L V2
D 2g

(3)

In laminar flow, the friction factor is only a function of Reynolds number while
for turbulent flow it is a function of Reynolds (Re) number and the relative
roughness of the pipe.
Re

VD

(4)

where : density, V: average velocity, D: pipe inside diameter, : viscosity.

Based on the nature of the flow, friction factor (f ) can be estimated using the following
correlations
Laminar flow

= 64
Re

Turbulent Flow

(5)

= 0.316
Re0.25

(6)
Equation (6) is Blausius Equation and only valid for smooth pipe and 3000 < Re< 105. The
value of f for turbulent flow can be obtained experimentally from the Moody Chart.
Moreover, for turbulent flow, the relationship between hf and V takes the form
hf = K. Vn

(7)

where K is a loss coefficient and n ranges from 1.7 to 2.0 (depending on the
value of Re and ks/D).This equation can be written as
Log hf = Log K + n Log V

(8)

in order to find K and n experimentally, using graph

Experimentally, one can obtain the head loss by applying energy equation
between any two points along a constant diameter pipe. This is done in Eq. 1
and by noticing that the pipe is horizontal and the diameter is constant. The
pressure heads of a fluid between 2 points , h1 and h2, are measured by
using Piezometer tubes. The total head loss can be determined
experimentally by applying the Bernoullis equation as follows:

hf = (P1- P2) /g = h1 - h2

(9)

Energy losses are proportional to the velocity head of the fluid as it flows around an elbow,
through an enlargement or contraction of the flow section, or through a valve. Experimental
values for energy losses are usually reported in terms of a resistance or loss coefficient K as
follows:

hL

KV 2
2g

(10)

where hL is the minor loss, K is the resistance or loss coefficient, and V is the average
velocity
of flow in the pipe in the vicinity where the minor loss occurs. The resistance or loss

coefficient is dimensionless because it represents a constant of proportionality between the

energy loss and the velocity head. The magnitude of the resistance coefficient depends on the
geometry of the device that causes the loss and sometimes on the velocity of flow.
Minor losses at sudden enlargement
When a fluid flows from a smaller pipe into a larger pipe through a sudden enlargement, its
velocity abruptly decreases, causing turbulence, which generates an energy loss.

where,
V1 = velocity at small cross-section (upstream)
V2 = velocity at large cross-section (downstream)
The minor loss (hL) due to sudden enlargement of the pipe can be estimated by integrating the
momentum, continuity and Bernoulli equations between positions 1 and 2 to give
hL

V1 V2 2

(11)

2g

Substituting again for the continuity equation to get an expression involving the two areas,
(i.e. V2=V1(A1/A2) gives
hL

KV1
2g

(12)

A
Where , K 1 1
A
2

D
1 1

D2

Minor losses at sudden contraction

When a fluid flows from a larger pipe into a smaller pipe through a sudden contraction, the
fluid streamlines will converge just downstream of the smaller pipe, known as vena
contraction phenomena, creating a turbulence region from the sharp corner of the smaller
pipe and extends past the vena contracta, which subsequently generates an energy loss.

In a sudden contraction, flow contracts from point 1 to point 1', forming a vena contraction. It
is possible to assume that energy losses from 1 to 1' are negligible (no separation occurs in
contracting flow) but that major losses occur between 1' and 2 as the flow expands again

If the vena contracta area is A1=Ac, then the minor loss (hL) can be estimated by integrating
the momentum , continuity and Bernoulli equations between positions 1 and 2 to give
A
hL 1 C
A2

V22
2g

(13)

The above equation is commonly expressed as a function of loss coefficient (K) and the
average velocity (V2) in the smaller pipe downstream from the contraction as follows;
hL

KV2
2g

A
K 1 C
A2

(14)

Minor Losses at elbow or bend pipe

Losses in fittings such as elbow, valves etc have been found to be proportional to the velocity
head of the fluid flowing. The energy loss is expressed in the general form,
hL

KV 2
2g

(15)

where,

K = loss coefficient (dependent on the ratio of total angle of bending to radius

of bending (R/d) of the curves as the bending occurs)

Experimental determination of total head loss

In the experiment the pressure heads before and after a fluid undergoing
sudden change in pipe diameter or flow direction, h 1 and h2, are measured
by using Piezometer tubes. The total head loss (major and minor losses)
can be determined experimentally by applying the Bernoullis equation as
follows:
P1/g + Vl 2 / 2 g + Z1 = P2/g + V2 2 / 2 g + Z2 + hL

(16)

hl + Vl 2 / 2 g + Z1 = h2 + V2 2 / 2 g + Z2 + hL

(17)

and since Z1 = Z2 ,

then

V12 V22
hL h1 h2
2g

(18)

ANTICIPATED RESULT
7

For this experimenrt the predicted result is the result that we calculated using the provided
formula which is also referring to the theoretical result.
So the theoretical result for
HEAD LOSS DUE TO PIPE
For Pipe Diameter 1-inch: 0.0254m
Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)

Theoretical
Head Loss

10
15
20
25
30

0.009
0.018
0.03
0.045
0.062

For Pipe Diameter 3/4-inch: 0.0191 m

Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)

Theoretical
Head Loss

10
15
20
25
30

0.035
0.071
0.117
0.173
0.239

For Pipe Diameter 1/2-inch: 0.0127 m

Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)
10
15
20
25
30

Theoretical
Head Loss
0.243
0.493
0.816
1.206
1.659

HEAD LOSS DUE TO VALVES (Pipe diameter: in ; 0.0191m)

Gate valve
Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)
10
15
20
25
30

Theoretical
Head Loss
0.035
0.071
0.117
0.173
0.239

Ball valve
Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)
10
15
20
25
30

Theoretical
Head Loss
0.035
0.071
0.117
0.173
0.239

HEAD LOSS FOR ELBOW Pipe diameter: in ; 0.0191m)

Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)
10
15
20
25
30

Theoretical
Head Loss
0.035
0.071
0.117
0.173
0.239

HEAD LOSS DUE TO SUDDEN ENLARGEMENT

Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)
10
15
20
25
30

Theoretical
Head Loss
-0.002
-0.003
-0.004
-0.005
-0.007

HEAD LOSS DUE TO SUDDEN CONTRACTION

Flow Rate,
Q (l/min)
10
15
20
25
30

Theoretical
Head Loss
0.000122
0.000273
0.000486
0.000759
0.001094

10

APPARATUS

HF135 Piping Loss Test Set

Stopwatch
Hydraulic Bench
Description of Apparatus
Tee PVC Pipe Straight flow
Tee PVC Pipe Line, 90 bend
PVC Pipe No 1: Diameter 1-in = 0.0254m
PVC Pipe No 2: Diameter -in = 0.0191m
PVC Pipe No 1: Diameter -in = 0.0127m
The experiments will be performed using a pipe flow setup as shown in figure above. This is
a self contained water circulating unit for a study of friction losses in pipes, pipe fittings, and
valves; and to determine the coefficients of discharge for primary flow measuring devices at
various flow rates. The unit consists of a pump, a storage tank and a panel on which all
friction loss components and the flow measuring devices are arranged. Friction loss is
measured by a pressure drop, and coefficient of discharge is determined from a pressure drop
and a flow rate. Flow rate is measured using a constant flow rate flow meter, and the pressure
drop is measured using a manometer. Pressure taps are connected by flexible hoses to a set of
specially arranged manifolds such that differential pressure across any component can be
measured simply by opening valves without removing the hoses.

11

The equipment consists of the following:

Friction Components
The components are arranged on a panel and include:
Linear pipes
Length of Pipe : 1250 mm
Tee PVC Pipe Sraight Flow
Tee PVC Pipe Line, 90o Bend
PVC : 3/4 in, 1/2 in and 1 in.
Elbows and bends
Regular elbow
45 elbow
Short radius bend
Long radius bend
Valves
Gate valve
Globe valve
Ball valve
Check valve
Other fittings
Sudden expansion and contraction
Tee sections
Measuring Devices
Flow rate meter (Installed on the same panel as 1.1)
Water manometer with a hand air pump: 2 tubes, 950 mm 1 mm graduations
Mercury manometer: 2 tubes, 950 mm 1 mm graduations

12

PROCEDURE (To Test the Head Loss due to Pipe Friction)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The flow control valve is fully opened and isolating valve is inlet.
The gate valve and globe valve are closed.
The main switch for hydraulic bench and digital pressure indicator is on.
The outlet control valve is opened.
The isolating valve is open for the test pipe No. 1.
The two manometer tubes (from digital pressure indicator) is inserted into the tapping valve
of pipe No. 1.
7. The pump of hydraulic bench is switched on.
8. The water flow is let through the system for a while.
9. The reading on the differential pressure indicator is recorded.
10. The drain is closed and a stopwatch is used to measure the time taken for 4 liters of water to
flow into the measuring tank
11. The drain is opened once it is done and the water is let to flow into the sump tank.
12. The flow rate of water is changed by adjusting outlet control valve to get different differential
pressure reading.
13. Again, the differential pressure reading is taken and the time taken to collect the water is
recorded.
14. Five readings of various flow rates is used.
15. Switch off the pump and shut the isolating valve for test pipe No. 1.
16. The above procedures are repeated for test pipe No. 2 (repeat procedures 4 to 14).
17. The pump is switched off and the isolating valve is shut down for test pipe No. 2.
18. Step number 17 is repeated for test pipe No. 3.

PROCEDURE (To Test the Head Loss at the valves (Gate and Ball valves)
1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H 1) of pipe 3 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 4 (gate valve). The system is now flowing
through the gate valve pipe.
2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H 1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counterclockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 30
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air bubbles
are removed up to the manometer glass tube.
3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 30 liter/minute, and 5
(five) different flow rates Q is determined from maximum value 30 liter/minute to
the lowest value (let the increment as large as possible). The value of H 1 and H2 in
millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of water manometer flowing
pressure as Q is changed
4.

No 1 to 3 is repeated at the Ball Valve ( pipe 5) section.

13

PROCEDURE (To Test the Head Loss at the elbow)

2. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H 1) of pipe 5 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 6 (elbow). The system is now flowing
through the elbow pipe.
2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H 1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counterclockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 30
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air bubbles
are removed up to the manometer glass tube.
4. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 30 liter/minute, and 5
(five) different flow rates Q is determined from maximum value 30 liter/minute to
the lowest value (let the increment as large as possible). The value of H 1 and H2 in
millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of water manometer flowing
pressure as Q is changed.
PROCEDURE (To Test the Sudden Enlargement)
1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H 1) of pipe 6 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 7 (sudden enlargement). The system is
now flowing through the sudden enlargement pipe.
2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H 1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counterclockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 30
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air
bubbles are removed up to the manometer glass tube.
3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 30 liter/minute, and 5
(five) different flow rates Q is determined from maximum value 30 liter/minute to
the lowest value (let the increment as large as possible). The value of H 1 and H2 in
millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of water manometer
flowing pressure as Q is changed.

14

PROCEDURE (To Test the Sudden Contraction)

1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H 1) of pipe 7 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 8 (sudden contraction). The system is now
flowing through the sudden contraction pipe.
2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H 1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counterclockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 30
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air
bubbles are removed up to the manometer glass tube.
3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 30 liter/minute, and 5
(five) different flow rates Q is determined from maximum value 30 liter/minute to
the lowest value (let the increment as large as possible). The value of H 1 and H2 in
millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of water manometer
flowing pressure as Q is changed.

15

Calculations ( Take Table 1 for example of calculation)

The Flow Rate, Q is calculated by the following formula:
Q =
= 5.0 x
The Area, A is calculated by the following formula:
Area of pipe

=
= 1.267 x

The Velocity, V is obtained by:

Velocity, v

=
= 0.986 m/s

The Reynold Number, Re is calculated by the following formula:

R =

=
= 24513.87

The Friction factor, ftheo is calculated by the following formula:

f

= 0.316
Re0.25
=
0.316
(24513.87)0.25
= 0.0253

The Friction factor, f experimental is calculated by the following formula:

f

2 Dgh f ,exp
LV 2

= (2)(0.0127)(9.81)(0.041)
(1.25)(0.986)2
= 0.01680

16

The Theoretical Head Loss is calculated by the following formula:

=f(

Theoretical head loss,

= (0.0253) (

= 0.062
The Percent Error is calculated by the following formula:
Percentage error, %

x 100

x 100

= 33.48

*(The other calculations are done using the same steps.)

17

DISCUSSION

18