APPENDIX

A
Friction Losses for Water Flow
Through Pipe*
ccurate prediction of friction losses in pipe is a com- Q ⫽ flow in gpm (or liters per minute)

A plex matter involving many variables. In Civil En-

gineering applications, the Hazen Williams formula
is typically used to calculate friction losses through water
conveying pipe. The formulae are as follows:
d ⫽ inside diameter in inches (or millimeters)
Roughness coefficient is based on the material of the
pipe. For PVC pipe, the standard C value is 150. New steel
pipe uses a C value of 140, but with use and corrosion a

冉 冊
Qgpm 1.85 lower value is typically used. For HDPE pipe, a range of C
1044
hf(ft / 100 ft) ⫽ ⫻ (U.S.) values between 150 and 160 is typical.
dinches4.8655 C
Tables A.1 and A.2 show friction loss data calculated by
hf(m / 100 m) ⫽
608,704,451
dmm4.8655
⫻ 冉 冊
Q L / min
C
1.85

(metric)
where hf ⫽ friction head loss in feet per 100 ft (or meters per 100
m) of water pipe
C ⫽ roughness coefficient
* Standards and practices for metric pipe manufacturing vary from country
to country. It is therefore not practical to attempt to address international
variances within this Appendix. Accordingly, discussion is confined to cur-
rent practice in the United States. International readers are advised to con-
sult their local regulating agency or manufacturer.
the Hazen Williams formula for the most commonly used
steel and PVC pipe diameters, based on C values of 140 and
150, respectively. It should be noted that steel and PVC pipe
are manufactured to different sizing specifications and there-
fore do not have the same inside diameters (Chapter 15).
The inside diameter of HDPE pipe can vary significantly
for any nominal diameter and a calculation of pipe friction
using the true inside diameter is recommended.
A graphical depiction of friction loss through PVC pipe
developed from the PVC table is presented to provide a
quick reference. A table is also included showing the friction
loss through various fittings as an equivalent length of pipe.

Construction Dewatering and Groundwater Control: New Methods and Applications, Third Edition. J. P. Powers, A. B. Corwin, 597
Paul C. Schmall and W. E. Kaeck Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-471-47943-7
598 APPENDIX A

Table A.1 Friction Loss Data for Steel Pipe

 APPENDIX A 599

Table A.1 (Continued )

600 APPENDIX A

Table A.2 Friction Loss Data for PVC Pipe. Data courtesy IPEX Inc.
 APPENDIX A 601

Table A.2 (Continued )

602 APPENDIX A

Table A.3 Friction Loss Through Fittings in Equivalent Footage

of Pipe. Data Courtesy IPEX Inc.

Figure A.1 Graphical depiction of friction loss through PVC pipe. Data
courtesy IPEX Inc.