Civil Engineering Department

Prof. Majed Abu-Zreig

Hydraulics and Hydrology – CE 352

Chapter 4

Pipelines and Pipe Networks

10/4/2012 1
 Introduction
Any water conveying system may include
the following elements:
• pipes (in series, pipes in parallel)
• elbows
• valves
• other devices.

• If all elements are connected in series,

The arrangement is known as a pipeline.
• Otherwise, it is known as a pipe network.
10/4/2012 2
 How to solve flow problems
• Calculate the total head loss (major and
minor) using the methods of chapter 2
• Apply the energy equation (Bernoulli’s
equation)

This technique can be applied for

different systems.

10/4/2012 3
 Flow Through A Single Pipe
(simple pipe flow)
• A simple pipe flow: It is a
• flow takes place in one pipe
• having a constant diameter
• with no branches.

• This system may include bends, valves,

pumps and so on.

10/4/2012 4
 (2)

(1)

Simple pipe flow

10/4/2012 5
 (2)

To solve such system:

(1)
• Apply Bernoulli’s equation
 2 2
P1 V P2 V2
  z1 
1
  z 2  hL  h p
 2g  2g
• where
2 2
fL V  V
hL  h f  hm  
D 2g
 K L
2g
For the same material and constant diameter (same f , same V) we can write:

V 2  fLTotal 

hL f m  
2g  D
 K L

10/4/2012 6
 Example
• Determine the difference in the elevations between the water surfaces in
the two tanks which are connected by a horizontal pipe of diameter 30
cm and length 400 m. The rate of flow of water through the pipe is 300
liters/sec. Assume sharp-edged entrance and exit for the pipe. Take the
value of f = 0.032. Also, draw the HGL and EGL.

Z1 Z

10/4/2012 7
 Compound Pipe flow
• When two or more pipes with different
diameters are connected together head to
tail (in series) or connected to two common
nodes (in parallel)

The system is called compound pipe flow

10/4/2012 8
 Flow Through Pipes in Series
• pipes of different lengths and different
diameters connected end to end (in series) to
form a pipeline

10/4/2012 9
• Discharge: he disQ ch arAge1V1throug Ah2Veac2
h pipeA3Vis3 the same
Q  A1V1  A2V2  A3V3
• Head loss: The difference in liquid surface levels is equal to the sum
of the total head loss in the pipes:

PA VA2 PB VB2
 zA   z B  hL
 2g  2g

10/4/2012 10
 PA V A2 PB VB2
 zA   z B  hL
 2g  2g
zA  hL  H
zB
Where
3 4
hL   h 
fi
hmj
i 1 j 1 2

3
i h  f Li Vi 2


 V2 V2 V2 V3
 KL   Kc  K exit
1 2
ent 2 enl
i 1 Di 2g 2g 2g 2g 2g
10/4/2012 11
 Example
• Two new cast-iron pipes in series connect two reservoirs. Both pipes
are 300 m long and have diameters of 0.6 m and 0.4 m, respectively.
• The elevation of water surface in reservoir A is 80 m. The discharge of
10o C water from reservoir A to reservoir B is 0.5 m3/sec.
• Find the elevation of the surface of reservoir B.
• Assume a sudden contraction at the junction and a square-edge
entrance.

10/4/2012 12
Flow Through Parallel Pipes
• If a main pipe divides into two
or more branches and again
join together downstream to Q1, L1, D1, f1
form a single pipe, then the Q2, L2, D2, f2
branched pipes are said to be
connected in parallel Q3, L3, D3, f3
(compound pipes).

• Points A and B are called

nodes.
10/4/2012 13
Q1, L1, D1, f1

Q2, L2, D2, f2

Q3, L3, D3, f3

• Discharge:
3
Q  Q1  Q2  Q3   Qi
i 1

• Head loss: the head loss for each branch is the same

hL  h f 1  h f 2  h f 3
2 2
L1 V12 L2 V 2 L3 V3
f1  f2  f3
D1 2g D2 2g D3 2g

10/4/2012 14
 Examp
le
Determine the flow in each pipe and the flow in the main
pipe if Head loss between A & B is 2m & f=0.01

Solution
hf 1  hf 2  2 L2 V22
f . 2
L1 V12 D2 2g
f . 2
D1 2g 30 V22
0.01 
25 V21 0.05 2
0.01  2 9.81
0.04 2  V2  2.557 m/s
9.81
V1  2.506 m/ π
s
Q2  0.052  2.557  5.02 10 3 m3
/s
10 /4/ 20π12
4
Q V A 
15
0.04 2 3 3
 2.506  3.15 10 m /s
3 3
1 1 1
4 Q  Q1  Q2  8.17 10 m /s
 Example
The following figure shows pipe system from cast iron
steel. The main pipe diameter is 0.2 m with length 4m at
the end of this pipe a Gate Valve is fixed as shown. The
second pipe has diameter 0.12m with length 6.4m, this
pipe connected to two bends R/D = 2.0 and a globe
valve. Total Q in the system = 0.26 m3/s at T=10oC.
Determine Q in each pipe at fully open
valves.
10/4/201 16

2
Solution
2
 A  π  0.2   0.0314 m 2
 
a
 2 
2
A  π  0.12  0.0113 m 2
 
b
 2 

Q  Q1  Q2
0.26 m3  AaVa    0.0113Vb
AbVb 0.0314Va

ha  hb
ha  f a La Va2 2
Lb Vb 2
 . 
2
Da 2g V a0.15 h f b
Vb
 b 2  2 0  10
Db V 19
b
2g 2g 2g
2g
10/4/2012 17
  4  V
2
  6.4  V
2

f    0.15
a
 f    0.38  10
b

 
 a   b 
  0.2   2g  0.12  2g

f a  0.0185
20 f a  2
 53.33 10.38V
2
b f b  0.0255
0.15Va fb
2

200.0185  2
 53.330.0255 10.38Vb
0.15Va

Va  4.719 Vb

0.26 m    0.0314(4.719Vb )  0.0113Vb

3

Aa Va AbVb
 Va  7.693 m/s Qa  AaVa  0.03147.693  m /s
3

0.242
Vb  m/s Qb  AbV  0.01131.630  3
m /s
1.630 b 0.018

10/4/2012 18
 Examp
le
Determine the flow rate in each pipe (f=0.015)
Also, if the two pipes are replaced with one pipe of
the same length determine the diameter which give
the same flow.
10/4/2012 19
10/4/2012 20
10/4/2012 21
 Group work
• Four pipes connected in parallel as shown. The following details
are given:

Pipe L (m) D (mm) f

1 200 200 0.020
2 300 250 0.018
3 150 300 0.015
4 100 200 0.020

• If ZA = 150 m , ZB = 144m, determine the discharge in

each pipe ( assume PA=PB = Patm)

10/4/2012 22
 Group work
Two reservoirs with a difference in water levels of 180 m and are connected
by a 64 km long pipe of 600 mm diameter and f of 0.015. Determine the
discharge through the pipe. In order to increase this discharge by 50%,
another pipe of the same diameter is to be laid from the lower reservoir for
part of the length and connected to the first pipe (see figure below).
Determine the length of additional pipe required.

10/4/2012 23
 Group
Q work =180m

N
Q
N
1

QN2

10/4/2012 24
 Pipe line with negative
Pressure
(siphon phenomena)
• Long pipelines laid to transport water from one
reservoir to another over a large distance usually
follow the natural contour of the land.
• A section of the pipeline may be raised to an
elevation that is above the local hydraulic
gradient line (siphon phenomena) as shown:

10/4/2012 24
 (siphon phenomena)

Definition:
It is a long bent pipe which is used to transfer liquid
from a reservoir at a higher elevation to another
reservoir at a lower level when the two reservoirs are
separated by a hill or high ground

Occasionally, a section of the pipeline may be

raised to an elevation that is above the local HGL.

10/4/2012 25
Siphon happened in the
following cases:

• To carry water from one reservoir to another

reservoir separated by a hill or high ground
level.
• To take out the liquid from a tank which is not
having outlet
• To empty a channel not provided with any
outlet sluice.
10/4/2012 26
Characteristics of this system
• Point “S” is known as the summit.
• All Points above the HGL have pressure less
than atmospheric (negative value)
• If the absolute pressure is used then the
atmospheric absolute pressure = 10.33 m
• It is important to maintain pressure at all
points ( above H.G.L.) in a pipeline above the
vapor pressure of water (not be less than
zero Absolute )
10/4/2012 27
A S
 Vp
2 Pp VS
2
PS
  p 
Z   ZS  hL
2g  2g 
VS 2 PS
Zp Z    hL
S
2 
g

-ve value Must be -ve value ( below the

atmospheric pressure)
Negative pressure exists in the pipelines wherever
the pipe line is raised above the
10/4/2012 hydraulic gradient line (between P &
Q) 28
The negative pressure at the summit point can
reach theoretically
-10.3 m water head (gauge pressure) and zero
(absolute pressure)
But in the practice water contains dissolved gasses
that will vaporize before -10.3 m water head which
reduces the pipe flow cross section.
Generally, this pressure reach to -7.6m water head
(gauge pressure)
and 2.7m (absolute pressure)
10/4/2012 29
 Example
Siphon pipe between two pipe has diameter of
20cm and length
500m as shown. The difference between
reservoir levels is 20m. The distance between
reservoir A and summit point S is 100m.
Calculate the flow in the system and the pressure
head at summit.
f=0.02
10/4/2012 30
 Solution

10/4/2012 31
 Pum
ps

• Pumps may be needed in a pipeline to lift water

from a lower elevation or simply to boost the rate
of flow. Pump operation adds energy to water in
the pipeline by boosting the pressure head

• The computation of pump installation in a

pipeline is usually carried out by separating the
pipeline system into two sequential parts, the
suction side and discharge side.
10/4/2012 32
H P  H R  H s  hL

See example 4.5

Pumps design
will be discussed
in details in
next chapters
10/4/2012 33
 Branching pipe
systems
Branching in pipes occur when water is
brought by pipes to a junction when more
than two pipes meet.
This system must simultaneously satisfy two basic
conditions:
1 – The total amount of water brought by pipes to a
junction must equal to
that carried away from the junction
by other pipes. Q  0
2 – All pipes that meet at the junction must share the
same pressure at the
junction. Pressure at point J = P

10/4/2012 34
How we can demonstrate the hydraulics of branching
pipe System??

by the classical three-reservoirs problem

Three-reservoirs problem
(Branching System)
10/4/2012 35
 This system must satisfy:
1) The quantity of water brought to junction “J” is equal
to the quantity of water taken away from the junction:
Q3 = Q 1 + Q2 Flow Direction????

2) All pipes that meet at junction “J” must share the

same pressure at the junction.

10/4/2012 36
Types of three-reservoirs problem:
Two types
Type 1:
• given the lengths , diameters, and materials of all pipes involved;
D1 , D2 , D3 , L1 , L2 , L3 , and  or f
• given the water elevation in each of the three reservoirs,
Z1 , Z2 , Z3
• determine the discharges to or from each reservoir,
Q1 , Q2 ,and Q3 .

This types of problems are most conveniently

solved by trail and error

10/4/2012 37
• First assume a piezometric surface elevation, P , at the junction.
• This assumed elevation gives the head losses hf1, hf2, and hf3
• From this set of head losses and the given pipe diameters, lengths,
and material, the trail computation gives a set of values for
discharges Q1 , Q2 ,and Q3 .
• If the assumed elevation P is correct, the computed Q’s should
 satisfy:  Q  Q1  Q2  Q3  0

• Otherwise, a new elevation P is assumed for the second trail.

• T10h/4e/20c1o2 mputation of another set of Q’s is performed until the
abo3v8e
condition is satisfied.
Note:
• It is helpful to plot the computed trail values of P against .
• The resulting difference may be either plus or minus for each
trail.
• However, with values obtained from three trails, a curve may
be plotted as shown in the next example.

The correct discharge is indicated by the

intersection of the curve with the vertical axis.

10/4/2012 39
 Examp
le
In the following figure determine the flow in
each pipe
Pipe CJ BJ AJ
Length m 2000 4000 1000
Diameter cm 40 50 30
f 0.022 0.021 0.024

10/4/2012 40
 Trial 1
ZP= 110m
Applying Bernoulli Equation between A , J :

10/4/2012 41
 L V 1000 V12
Z A  Z P  f1 1 . 1  120  110  0.024 
 
D1 2g 0.3 2g

V1 = 1.57 m/s , Q1 = 0.111 m3/s

Applying Bernoulli Equation between B , J :

2
L V 4000 V22
ZP ZB  f 2 . 2  110  100  0.021 
2 
D2 2g 0.5 2g

V2 = 1.08 m/s , Q2 = - 0.212 m3/s

10/4/2012 42
 Applying Bernoulli Equation between C , J :

L3 V32 2000 V3
2

ZP Z  f3 .  110  80  0.022 
C  
D3 2g 0.4 2g
V3 = 2.313 m/s , Q2 = - 0.291 m3/s

 Q  Q  Q  Q  0.111 0.212  0.291  0.392  0

1 2 3
10/4/2012 42
 Trial 2
ZP= 100m

 Q  Q 1  Q 2
 Q3
 0.157  0  0.237  0.08 m
3
/s0

Trial 3
ZP= 90m

Q  Q 1  Q2  Q3  0.192  0.3  0.168  0.324

3
/s0
m
10/4/2012 43
Draw the relationship and P
between  Q
  Q  0  atP  99m

/4/2012
10 44
Type 2:
• Given the lengths , diameters, and materials of all pipes involved;
D1 , D2 , D3 , L1 , L2 , L3 , and  or f

• Given the water elevation in any two reservoirs,

Z1 and Z2 (for example)

• Given the flow rate from any one of the reservoirs,

Q1 or Q2 or Q3

• Determine the elevation of the third reservoir Z3 (for example) and the rest of Q’s

This types of problems can be solved by simply using:

• Bernoulli’s equation for each pipe
• Continuity equation at the junction.

10/4/2012 45
 Examp
le
In the following fgure determine the flow in pipe BJ &
pipe CJ. Also,
determine the water elevation in tank C
10/4/2012 46
Solution
Applying Bernoulli Equation between A , J :
 Q1 0.06
V1    0.849 m/s
A1 π
0.32
4
L1 V12 1200 0.8492
Z A  Z P f1 .  40  Z  0.024 
D1 2g  2  9.81
 P

0.3
Z P  36.475 m

Applying Bernoulli Equation between B , J :

2
L 2 V22 600 V2
ZB  ZP  f 2  38  36.475  0.024  
. 
D 2 2g 0.2 2  9.81
V2  0.645m/s   0.0203m 3 /s
Q2
10/4/2012 47
 Applying Bernoulli Equation between C , J :

 Q  Q 2  Q3  0
Q1
Q3  Q1  Q2  0.06  0.0203  0.0803 m 3 / s

Q3 0.0803
V3    1.136 m / s
A3 
0.3 2

L3 V
2
800 1.1362
Z Z  f . 3
 36.475 - Z  0.024  
P C 3 2  c
D3 0.3 2g
Z c  32.265 m
10/4/2012 48
Group Work
Find the flow in
each pipe
f  0.01
QAB  QBC  QBD  0
hAB  hBC  10
2 2
QBC  QBD 2000 VAB 1000
0.01   0.01   10
VAB

0.4 VAB  2 4 0.3 VAC
2 2 0.4 2g 0.3 2g
4
2 2
VAB  1.125 2.55VAB  1.7  10
VAC VBC
2.55  (1.125VBC  0.816  10
) VBC 3
VBC  2.2m / s   QBD  0.155m / s
QBC 3
VAB  2.5m / s   0.31m / s
QAB
10/4/2012 49
 Power Transmission Through Pipes
• Power is transmitted through pipes by the
water (or other liquids) flowing through them.

• The power transmitted depends upon:

(a) the weight of the liquid flowing through the pipe
(b) the total head available at the end of the pipe.

10/4/2012 50
 • What is the power available at the end B of
the pipe?

• What is the condition for maximum

transmission of power?
10/4/2012 51
Total head (energy per unit weight) H of fluid is
given by:
 V2 P
H  Z
2g 
Energy Weight
Power x
 time  Energ time
y
weight
Weight
 gQ Q
time
Therefore:
Power   Q H
Units of power:
 N . m/s = Watt
10/4/2012
745.7 Watt = 1 HP (horse power) 52
For the system shown in the figure, the following can be stated:

At Entrance Power  γ Q H
Power dissip ated to  γ Q hf
due friction
Power dissip ated to minor loss  γ Q hm
due
At  Power  γ Q H  h  hm 
Exit
f
10/4/2012 53
Condition for Maximum Transmission of Power:
 dP
The condition for maximum transmission of power occurs when : 0
dV
P   h f  hm ]
Q[H

Q  AV  [ D 2 ]V
Neglect minor losses and use
4
 2 L V3
So P  D [HV  f ]
4 D 2g
dP  2 3 fL 2
 D [H  V ]0
dV 4 2Dg
2 H
H 3
fL V
 3h f  hf 
D 2g 3
 Power transmitted through a pipe is maximum when the loss of head due
1
to friction equal of the total head at the inlet
3
10/4/2012 54
Maximum Efficiency of Transmission of Power:
 Efficiency of power transmission  is defined as
Power available at the outlet

Power sup p lied at the
inlet

Q[H  h  hm ] [H  h  hm ]
 f  f

QH H
or
[H  h f ]
 (If we neglect minor losses)
H

Maximum efficiency of power transmission occurs when H

hf 
3
H
[H  ]
3 2
     66.67%
max H 3
10/4/2012 55
 Examp
le
Pipe line has length 3500m and Diameter 0.5m is
used to transport Power Energy using water. Total
head at entrance = 500m. Determine the maximum
power at the Exit. F = 0.024
Pout  γ Q  hf 
H h
H 500
m
M ax. Power at f
 
 3 3
2 V  3.417m/s
L V2 3500 V
hf  f   0.024
D 2g 0.3 2g

Q  AV  π
4 0.3 3.4172
0.2415 m3 /s


10/4/2012 56
P  γQH  h f 

 H
 gQ  H  
 3

 gQ 32 H

 10009.810.24153 500 
2

789785
 789785 N.m/s (Watt)   1059 HP
745.7
10/4/2012 57