ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

CHAPTER 5
ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW
5.1 Introduction
Pipes were introduced in the very earliest days of the practice of hydraulics. Their
commonplace use today makes them of great importance that the laws governing the flow in
them should be fully understood. Some loss of energy is inevitable in the flow of any real fluid.
In the case of flow in a horizontal uniform pipe line this is evidenced by the fall of pressure in
the direction of flow. Clearly an ability to predict the energy loss per unit length is essential to
efficient pipe line design.

A pipe is defined as a closed conduit of circular cross section through which the fluid flows
filling the complete cross section. The fluid in the pipe has no free surface. It will be at a
pressure above or below atmospheric and this pressure may vary along the pipe.

The fluid through a pipe is required to overcome the resistance offered due to friction by the pipe
wall and fluid viscosity.

5.2 Minor losses in pipe flow

Minor head losses or local losses are losses which occur in pipe lines because of bends, change
in cross section, elbow, joints valves and fittings of all kinds. Although in long pipelines the
losses due to local disturbances caused by these fittings etc are of minor importance and can
often be neglected, they may outweigh the friction losses in a short pipe.

It is usual to regard the minor losses as being additional to the normal type of frictional loss. As
they are associated with a turbulent dissipation of energy they may be conveniently expressed in
the form of the velocity head. Except in simple case of sudden enlargement and contraction
which will next considered, it is not possible to make a theoretical assessment, and so the general
procedure is to introduce a coefficient K, the value of e3hich must be determined by experiment.
The expression for energy head loss is then:

hL = KL where hL = head loss (minor)

KL = loss coefficient
A) Loss due to sudden enlargement or Expansion

2 Po
1

P1
V1 P2
A1 V2
A2
2
1 Po
Fig. sudden Enlargement

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 1

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

From continuity equation, Q = A1V1 = A2V2

From Bernoulli’s Equation, Z1 + + = Z2 + + + hL

Assuming horizontal pipe Z1 = Z2

--------------------------- (1)

Considering momentum equation (neglecting shear force exerted on the wall)

Force due to P2 = P2A2
Force due to P1 = P1A1
Force due to P0 = P0 (A2 – A1)
Therefore, P1A1 + P0 (A2 – A1) - P2A2 = ρ Q (V2- V1)
The value of P0 is found experimentally to be equal to P1
P1A1 - P2A2 = ρ Q (V2- V1)
P1 – P2 = substituting in to (1)

= + hL

hL = =

As A1V1 = A2V2 =

hL = =

Which indicates that losses in turbulent flow are proportional to the square of the velocity

Let K = then head loss hL = k

Exit Loss
When a pipe discharges in to a large reservoir through a sharp exit, conditions are equivalent to
sudden enlargement. V1 = pipe velocity , as A2 V2

A2 =0
V2 = 0

Fig . Entry to a large reservoir (tank)

hL = = if the exit is rounded this loss is greatly reduced and is

usually negligible

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 2

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

B) Loss due to sudden contraction

1 2 3

A1
V1 A2
V2

The loss of energy between section (1) to (3) is small and the main loss occurs in the
enlargement sections i.e (3) to (2)

hL = =

hL = =
Special Entry Losses
vena
contracta

V V

Flush (K= 0.5) Bell mouth (K= 0.05)

C ) Loss of Energy in pipe fittings

The loss of energy caused by commercial pipe fittings, such as valves, elbows, bends etc; occur
because of their rough and irregular interior surface ( hL = K )
Experimental data show wide variations in coefficients for special fittings. Some representative
values are given below.

Fittings KL

Globe bulb(fully open) 10.0

Angle valves (fully open ) 5.0
Gate valve (fully open) 0.19
Standard Tee 1.8
Standard elbow 0.90

5.3 FRICTION LOSS ( Major Loss)

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 3

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

The Darcy- Weisbach formula is the basis for evaluating the head loss due to friction for fluid
flow in pipes. The equation is ;

hf = f where hf = head lost due to friction in the length ,L

D = inside diameter of pipe
V = average velocity
f = friction factor
g = acceleration due to gravity
The friction factor f must be selected that the equation correctly yields the head loss; hence f
can not be constant but must depend up on velocity V, diameter D, density ρ , viscosity μ ,
and certain characteristics of the wall roughness. The term f , instead of being a simple
constant, turns out to depend up on seven quantities.
f = f ( V , D , ρ, μ , , ’ , m )
Friction factor f can be derived mathematically for laminar flow, but no simple mathematical
relation for the variation of f with Reynolds Number is available for turbulent flow.
a) Laminar flow , f = and Re =
where V = velocity
D = diameter
= Kinematic viscosity
Re = Reynolds number

f = friction factor
Re < 2000 for laminar flow
b) For turbulent flow
i) For smooth pipes Blasius suggests
f = 3000 < Re < 100,000
For values of Re up to about 3,000,000 Von Karman,s equation modified by Prandtl
is :
= 2 log (Re ) – 0.8
ii) For rough pipes
= 2 log
iii) For all pipes – Cole brook equation
= - 2 log
Many Engineers consider the Colebrook equation reliable when evaluating f. The Colebrook’s
equation is some thing laborious to solve as the function f is placed on both sides of the
equation. Diagrams are available to give the relation between the friction factor f, Reynolds
number Re and relative roughness /D. Moody diagram that expresses f as the function of
relative roughness and the Reynolds number is one of the most convenient chart for
determining friction factors in pipes.

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 4

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

If Moody Diagram is not available the following approximate formula can be adopted.

f = * 500 < Re < 1000

10-6 < < 10-2

PIPE FLOW PROBLEMS

All categories of problems of steady flow in pipes can be solved by using the equation of
continuity, head loss (Darcy- weisbach )and Colebrook equation for friction or its explicit
equivalent six variables – Q, L, D, hf , and . In general length (L) ,Kinematic Viscosity ( )
and absolute roughness ( ) are given or may be determined. The major problems in pipe flow
are categorized in the following three types.

TYPES GIVEN UNKNOWN

I Q, L, D, , hf
II hf , K, D, Q or V
III hf , Q, L , , D

Type- I Problem - Determination of head loss

Steps involved in the calculation are as follows.

Data given : Q, L, D, ,
1. Calculate Re = and = relative roughness.
2. Then obtain f from Moody diagram or from equation above.
*
3. Finally determine the head loss using the Darcy Weisbach equation.

Example: 75 l/min of ethyl alcohol flows at 20 0c through a 15 mm diameter 10 m long

stainless steel drawn tubing. = 1.64*10-6 and at 200c = 1.77*10-6 m2/sec. Determine the
head loss through the tube.
so/n Re=

Re=

=0.059952*106
=0.059952*104
 6*104

For Re = 6*104 and =0.00011 from Moody diagram f= 00.15

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 5

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

OR using equation,

f= 0.02 ≃0.015

 hf= f

hf= 25.5m

Type II problem – Determination of Discharge (Q)

In this type, V and f are unknowns, and the Darcy Weisback equation and Moody diagram
must be used simultaneously to find their values. Since is known, a value can be assumed
by inspection of the moody diagram. Substitution of this trial f in to the Darcy Weisbach
equation produces a trial value of V , from which a trial Reynolds number is computed. With
the Reynolds number an improved value of f is found from the moody diagram. When f has
been found to two significant figures, the corresponding V is the value sought. i.e
1. Assume trial value of f
2. calculate v from the equation hf = f

3. calculate the Reynolds number Re

4. for this Re and obtain f2 from Moody diagram

5. If = 0.001 then stop ,otherwise, taking f 2 as a new value of f repeat step 1-5
until the condition is satisfied.
6. calculate V using the new f and then compute Q = AV

Example: Water at 15 0c flows through a 300mm diameter riveted steel pipe. = 3mm with
a head loss of 6m in 300m length. Determine the flow (Q).Take =1.13*10-6m2/s

Solution:
Given : D= 300mm =0.3m Required: Q = ?
=0.01
hf=6m
L=300m
Step 1 Assume f= 0.04

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 6

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

Step 2 hf= f
 V= 1.72m/s
Step 3 Re=
= 4.57*105
Step 4&5 For Re = 457*103 and =0.01 from Moody diagram.
f2=0.038
f –f2  =  0.04-0.038  =0.002  Hence ok!

Step 6

V= 1.76 m/s

Q= AV =
Q= 0.124m3/s

Type III problem –Determination of Diameter

In this type of problem the diameter D is the unknown. Eliminate V in the Darcy weisbach
equation and in the Reynolds number.
hf = f = f =

D5 =

D5 = C1 * f ---------------------------------- (1)
Re = = = = ----------------------------- (2)

Where C 1 = and C2 = are the known quantities. Generally the

solution to type III problems is summarized as follows.

1. assume f
2. solve equation (1) for D
3. solve equation (2) for Re
4. find the relative roughness

5. with known Re and find new f from Moody Diagram

6. using the f value in step 5 repeat the procedure above

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 7

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

7. if = 0.001 stop ! Then the new f value satisfies the equation and the diameter
so calculated by using this f is the one required
Example:

Determine the size of clean wrought iron pipe required to convey 0.303 m3/s , 3050m with
head loss of 22.9m. Take = 0.929*10-5 m2/s , = 0.457*10-4m
Solution:

1. Assume f= 0.02

2. D5=

D5=0.020
D= 0.458m
3. Re=

4. = =0.0001
5. From Moody Diagram, f= 0.019

Repeat step 1-6 using the new f value (0.019)

i.e
1. assume f= 0.019

2. D5=

 D= 0.453m
3. Re =
4. f= 0.019 – which is equal to step (1) right above.
D= 0.453m

Simple pipe systems

Pipes in series:
If two or more pipes of different sizes or roughness are connected such that fluid flows
through one pipe and then through the other, they are said to be connected in series. In this
case the discharge is the same through each pipe and the head loss is the sum of he losses in
the entire individual pipes and fittings.
Qt = Q1 = Q2= Q3 = ….
hL = hL1+ hL2 + hL3 + ….

hf2
hf1 hf3
A B
Q
LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 8
1 3
2
 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

Pipes in Parallel

When two or more pipes are connected as shown so that the flow divides and subsequently
comes together again, the connection is said to be parallel.

hL1

Q1
Q Q3
Q
hL2
Q2

hL3

hL = hL1 = hL2 = hL3 = ( + ZA ) - ( + ZB)

Q = Q1 + Q 2 + Q 3
Two types of problems occur in parallel connection.
1) with Known elevation of hydraulic grade line of A and B , the discharge Q needs to be
determined
2) With Q known the distribution of flows and the head loss need to be determined.
The first type is simple, since the head loss is known, from which the discharge can be
added to determine the total discharge. The second type is quite complex, as neither the
head loss nor the discharge for any pipe is not known. The recommended procedure is as
follows.
1. Assume a discharge Q1 through pipe 1
2. Solve for HL1 , using the assumed discharge.
3. Using HL1 , find Q2` and Q3` ( because hL1 = hL2=hL3)
4. with the three discharges for a common head loss, assume the given Q is split among
the pipes in the same proportions as Q1` , Q2` , Q3`

thus, Q1 = , Q2 = , Q3 =

5. Check the correctness of this discharge by computing HL1 , HL2 , HL3 for the computed
Q1 ,Q2 and Q3
Example: Pipe in series
Water is discharged from a reservoir in to the atmosphere through a pipe 39m long. There
is a sharp entrance to the pipe and the diameter is 50 mm for 15 m from the entrance. The
pipe then enlarges suddenly to 75mm in diameter for the remainder of its length. Taking in

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 9

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

to account the loss of head at entry and at the enlargement ,calculate the difference of level
between the surface of the reservoir and the pipe exit which will maintain a flow of
2.8*10-3 m3/s. Take f= 0.019 for 50mm pipe and 0.023 for the 75mm pipe

Solution:
A

B Q1
C Q2 H
V1 D1 L1 D
f
V2 D2 L2
f

Since the pipes are connected in series

Q1=Q2

Applying Bernoulli’s theorem to A and D

PA=PD= atmospheric and VA=0
Total energy @ A= T.E @ D + shock loss @ B+ friction loss BC + shock loss at C +
friction loss in DC

H=

Vel. head entry loss friction loss expan. loss friction loss
OR
HL= Vel. head + entry loss @ B+ friction loss BC+ enlarge loss @ C + friction loss CD

= 0.02 (8.36) + 0.1036 (6.2) + 0.032

H=0.842m of water

Example : (combined system)

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 10

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

line of the same diameter is introduced parallel to the first in the second half of the length.
Neglecting minor losses, find the increase in the discharge if f = [Link] head at the inlet
is 30m.
Solution:
3
Qe
L=1.5Km D
1 D=0.6
Q Qe
D 2
0.75km

So/n: hf= f

30=
Applying continuity
Q= 2Qe
considering pipe 1 and pipe 2 in series

The total discharge through the system is 2Q e= 0.864m3/s increase in discharge by this
arrangement is
2Qe-Qe= 0.864-0.683=0.181m3/s

Example: (Pipes in parallel)

Two reservoirs are connected by two pipe lines in parallel. Their diameters are 300mm and
600m and their respective lengths are 1500m and 3000m. if the value of f is 0.032 for the
smaller and 0.024 for the larger , what will be the discharge from the larger when the
smaller pipe is delivering 0.056 m3/s. Hint: consider only friction loss.
Solution:
f=0.032
L1=1.5km
D1=300mm Q =0.056m3/s (given)
1

D1=600mm
L1=3km
LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS,
f=0.024 BY NEGASH W. , 2003 11
 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

hf1= f1
hf1=
since the pipes are connected in parallel
hf1=hf2

Thus hf2=

0.464 =

 Q22=
 Q2= 0.0775m3/s

Branching Pipes

The flow through each pipe is to be determined when the reservoir elevations are given.
The sizes and types of fluid properties are assumed known. The Darcy Weisbach and the
continuity equation must be satisfied. It takes the form that flow in to the junction must
equal the flow out of the junction. Flow must be out of the highest reservoir and in to the
lowest.
Q1 = Q2 + Q3 or Q3 = Q1 + Q2

1
2

Z2
Z1

J
3 +
Zj

Z3
Datum

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 12

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

Fig. Branching pipes.

If the elevation of Hydraulic grade line at the junction is above the elevation of the
intermediate reservoir, flow is in to it, but if the elevation of the hydraulic grade line at J
is below the intermediate reservoir, the flow is out of it.
The solution is accomplished by first assuming an elevation of hydraulic grade line at the
junction and then computing Q1 , Q2 , and Q3 and checking for continuity equation.

Example: find the discharge in the above figure for the following Data.
L1 = 3000m L2 = 600m L3 = 1000m
D1 =1m D2 = 0.45m D2 = 0.6m
Z1 = 30m Z2 = 18m Z3 = 9m
= 0.0002 = 0.002 =0.001
f1 = 0.014 f2 = 0.024 f3 = 0.02

Solution:
Assume Zj+

hf1 =f1

Q1=1.380m3/s

hf2= f2

Q2=0.278m3/s

hf3= f3

Q3= 0.811 m3/s

now 1.380-0.278-0.811= 0.291 m3/s
Q1> Q2+Q3 ( inflow > out flow)
Trial -2 Assume zj+ = 24.6m, then

5.4 = 0.015* V1= 1.534 and Q1= 1.205

6.6 = 0.024 * V2= 2.011 and Q2= 0.32

15.6 =0.02 * V3= 3.029 and Q3= 0.856

now , Q1= Q2+Q3

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 13

 ANALYSIS OF PIPE FLOW

1.205=0.32+0.856
1/205=1.176
i.e 1.205-1.176=0.029m3/s
still the inflow is greater by 0.029m3/s

Apply linear extrapolation

Xm0
24.6m0.029
23m0.291
x= 24.8m

Try with

Q1=1.183 Q2= 0.325, Q30.862

LECTURE NOTE ON HYDRAULICS, BY NEGASH W. , 2003 14