Chapter 2

FLUID FLOW IN PIPES

Engr. Grace C. Gerona

 DEFINITION OF PIPE
PIPE IS A CLOSED CONDUIT CARRYING LIQUIDS
OR GASES UNDER PRESSURE.
In hydraulics, pipes are commonly understood
to be conduits of circular cross section which
flow full.
Conduits which are flowing partially full are
considered open channels.
 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOW IN PIPES

LAMINAR FLOW IS A SMOOTH, ORDERLY MOTION

IN WHICH FLUID PARTICLES APPEAR TO SLIDE
OVER EACH OTHER IN LAYERS OR LAMINAE.
In laminar flow, fluid particles are said to be
moving through the pipe in a straight line, not
mixing with other particles.
 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOW IN PIPES
TURBULENT FLOW IS A FLUID MOTION CHARACTERIZED
BY RANDOM OR CHAOTIC MOTION OF INDIVIDUAL FLUID
PARTICLES AND BY RAPID MACROSCOPIC MOVEMENT OF
THESE PARTICLES THROUGH THE FLOW.

In turbulent flow, fluid particles mix with each

other.
 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOW

Laminar
Flow

Turbulent Flow
 Critical Velocity

CRITICAL VELOCITY IS THE VELOCITY AT WHICH

FLOW CHANGES FROM LAMINAR TO TURBULENT
(REYNOLDS, 1883).
However, velocity is not the only factor in
characterizing the type of flow in pipes.
A complete criterion was developed by
Osborne Reynolds to include all fluids for the
determination of the flow type – Reynolds
Number.
 REYNOLDS NUMBER
The dimensionless parameter for determination of
flow type is the Reynolds Number.

or

where: V = mean velocity, m/s

D = diameter, m
ρ = density, kg/m3
μ = dynamic viscosity, Pa.s
v = kinematic viscosity, m2/s
 REYNOLDS NUMBER
For normal cases of flow in straight pipes having
uniform diameter,
Laminar Flow: maximum value of Re is 2000
(which is the upper limit of
laminar flow)
Turbulent Flow: minimum value of Re is 3000
(which is the lower limit of
turbulent flow)
Reynolds Number between 2000 and 3000 defines
the transition region in which the flow is either
under laminar to turbulent flow condition.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1
Determine the type of flow occurring in a 30-cm dia.
pipe when the velocity is 1 m/s and the fluid is:
a. water at 60°F having a kinematic viscosity of
1.13x10-6 m2/s;
b. heavy oil at 60°F having a kinematic viscosity of
2.05x10-4 m2/s
Given: Required:
D = 30 cm = 0.30 m type of flow
V = 1 m/s
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1
Given: D = 0.30 m; V = 1 m/s
Solution:
a. Type of flow of water given v = 1.13x10-6 m2/s
VD
Re =

(1)(0.3)
Re =
1.13x10 −6
Re = 265486.73 > 3000
Therefore the flow is turbulent. answer
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1
Solution:
b. Type of flow of heavy oil given v = 2.05x10-4 m2/s
VD
Re =

(1)(0.3)
Re =
2.05x10 −4
Re = 1463.41 < 2000

Therefore the flow is laminar. answer

 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2
Oil of specific gravity of 0.80 flows in a 200 mm
dia. pipe. Find the critical velocity if the dynamic
viscosity of oil is 8.14x10-2 Pa.s.
Given: Sp.gr. = 0.80 Required:
D = 200 mm = 0.20 m Critical velocity
m = 8.14x10-2 Pa.s
Solution: Re = 2000 (for critical velocity)
VD V(0.2)(0.8)(1000)
Re = 2000 =
m 8.14x10 − 2

V = 1.02 m/s answer

 HEAD LOSSES IN PIPE FLOW
IN PIPE FLOW, HEAD LOSSES ARE CAUSED BY THE FF.:

1. FRICTION DUE TO THE SLIDING OF THE

PARTICLES OF FLUIDS AGAINST EACH OTHER.

2. LOCAL DISTURBANCES EFFECTING CHANGES IN

THE VELOCITY AND FLOW DIRECTION.
 HEAD LOSSES IN PIPE FLOW
THE MAJOR LOSS, HF , IS A CONTINUOUS LOSS OF HEAD ASSUMED
TO OCCUR AT A UNIFORM RATE ALONG THE PIPE AS LONG AS THE
SIZE AND QUALITY OF PIPE REMAIN CONSTANT AND IS COMMONLY
REFERRED TO AS THE LOSS OF HEAD DUE TO PIPE FRICTION.

LOSSES DUE TO LOCAL DISTURBANCES ARE REFERRED TO AS MINOR

LOSSES. THESE ARE
• HEAD LOSS DUE TO SUDDEN CONTRACTION, HC
• HEAD LOSS DUE TO SUDDEN ENLARGEMENT, HE
• HEAD LOSS DUE TO OBSTRUCTION CAUSED BY GATES OR
VALVES, HO
• HEAD LOSS DUE TO PIPE BEND, HB
 Total Head Loss
ΣHL = HF + HC + HE + HO +HB
WHERE:

HF = MAJOR “PIPE FRICTION” LOSS

HC, HE, HO, AND HB = MINOR LOSSES DUE TO

CONTRACTION, ENLARGEMENT, OBSTRUCTION
AND PIPE BEND, RESPECTIVELY
 HEAD LOSS DUE TO PIPE FRICTION
In the study to determine the laws governing the loss of
head due to pipe friction, it has been observed that the
resistance to flow is:
1. directly proportional to the length of the pipe L;
2. varying to a certain power of the mean velocity V;
3. dependent on the pipewall roughness only under
turbulent condition;
4. inversely proportional to some power of the diameter
D; and
5. Independent of the pressure which affects fluid motion.
LV n
hf = K
D m
 DARCY-WEISBACH EQUATION
2 LQ 2
L V
hf = f or h f = 0.0826f
D 2g D 5
where:
f = coefficient of pipe friction
L = length of the pipe, m
V = mean velocity, m/s
Q = discharge, m3/s
D = diameter of the pipe
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3
A new cast-iron pipe 400 m long and 15 cm in dia.
carries 42 L/s of water. Determine the frictional
head loss. Use f = 0.023.
Given: L = 400 m Required: hf
D = 15 cm = 0.15 m
Q = 42 L/s = 0.042 m3/s
Solution:
LQ 2 400(0.042) 2
h f = 0.0826f = 0.0826(0.023)
D 5 (0.15) 5

hf = 17.65 m answer
 MANNING’S EQUATION
LV 2
h f = 6.35n 2
D 4 3
or
LQ 2
h f = 10.29n 2
D 16 3
where:
n = pipe’s roughness coefficient
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4
What diameter of new cast-iron pipe 1.6 km long is
required to discharge 0.125 m3/s of water with a
head loss of 17 J/N? Use n = 0.013.
Given: L = 1.6 km = 1600 m Required: D
Q = 0.125 m3/s
hf = 17 J/N = 17 m
Solution: 2
LQ
h f = 10.29n2 D = 0.33 m answer
D 16 3
1600(0.125) 2
17 = 10.29(0.013) 2
D 16 3
FRICTIONAL LOSS FOR LAMINAR FLOW
Hagen-Poiseuille Equation

32m LV
hf =
w D2
where:
μ = viscosity of the flowing fluid, Pa.s or N.s/m2
L = length of the pipe, m
V = mean velocity, m/s
w = specific weight of the flowing fluid, N/m3
D = diameter of the pipe, m
Reducing Hagen-Poiseuille Equation
32m LV
hf =
w D2
To Darcy-Weisbach Equation

64 L V 2
hf =
R e D 2g
Thus, the frictional coefficient for laminar
flow using Darcy-Weisbach Equation is
64
f=
Re
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 5
A 15-cm new steel pipe carries 20 L/s of heavy oil at a
temperature of 40°F (v = 4.13x10-4 m2/s). Determine
the friction loss for 1600 m long pipe.
Given: Required: hf
D = 15 cm = 0.15 m
Q = 20 L/s = 0.02 m3/s
v = 4.13x10-4 m2/s
L = 1600 m
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 5
Given: D = 0.15 m; Q = 0.02 m3/s; v = 4.13x10-4 m2/s
L = 1600 m
Solution:
First, determine the type of flow.
VD Q 0.02 = 1.13 m/s
Re = but V= =
 A 
(0.15)2
Therefore, 4
1.13(0.15)
Re = = 410.41 < 2000 (laminar flow)
4.13x10 −4
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 5
Given: D = 0.15 m; Q = 0.02 m3/s; v = 4.13x10-4 m2/s
L = 1600 m
Solution:
Find f.
64 64
f= = = 0.156
Re 410.41
Therefore,
L V 2 0.156(1600)(1.13) 2
hf = f = = 108.30 m
D 2g 2(9.81)(0.15)
 PIPE FRICTION COEFFICIENT FOR
TURBULENT FLOW
Under turbulent flow condition, the head loss in
a pipe hf or pipe friction coefficient f does not
depend only on Re but also on the relative
roughness of the pipe.
Relative Roughness of the Pipe is the ratio of
the average height ϵ of the protuberances on
the pipe’s inner surface to the diameter D of the
pipe.

Re lative Roughness =
D
The magnified view of the inner surface of a pipe:

Table 1 below shows the different values of ϵ for

commonly used types of pipe.
Type of Pipe (new) ϵ (in mm)
Wrought Iron and Steel 0.046
Asphalt Cast Iron 0.122
Galvanized Iron 0.152
Cast Iron 0.260
Wood Stave 0.183 to 0.915
Concrete 0.305 to 3.050
Riveted Steel 0.915 to 9.150
The pipe friction coefficient f for turbulent flow are
determined using the ff. equations:
1. Blasius Formula (for smooth pipes and 3,000 ≤ Re ≤
100,000)
0.316
f=
R e 0.25
2. Karman Formula (for rough pipes )
1 D
= 2 log  + 1.14
f 
3. Haaland Equation (for smooth and rough pipes )
1  1.11 
6.9   D 
= −1.8 log  +  
f  R e  3.7  
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
A 25-cm new galvanized iron pipe carries water at a
velocity of 1.2 m/s. Determine the head loss per
kilometer of the pipe when the temperature of water
is 40°F (v = 1.54x10-6 m2/s). Use Karman & Haaland
Formulas.
Given: Required: hf
D = 25 cm = 0.25 m
V = 1.2 m/s
v = 1.54x10-6 m2/s
L = 1000 m
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
Given: D = 0.25 m; V = 1.2 m/s; v = 1.54x10-6 m2/s
L = 1000 m
Solution:
First, determine the type of flow.
VD 1.2(0.25)
Re = = = 194805 .19 > 3000
 1.54x10 −6
Therefore, the flow is turbulent.
Then, determine ϵ for GI pipe from the Table.
ϵ = 0.152 mm = 1.52x10-4 m
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
Given: D = 0.25 m; V = 1.2 m/s; v = 1.54x10-6 m2/s
L = 1000 m
Solution:
Solve for f using Karman Formula
1 D
= 2 log  + 1.14
f 
1  0.25 
= 2 log  + 1.14
−4
f  1.52x10 
f = 0.017
Solve for the head loss.
2 (1000)(1.2)2
LV
hf = f = (0.017) = 5.12 m
D 2g (0.25)(2)(9.81)
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 6
Solution:
Solve for f using Haaland Formula
1  6.9   D 
1.11 
= −1.8 log  +  
f  Re  3.7  
  1.52x10 −4 
1.11 
1
= −1.8 log  6.9
+
0.25  
f  194805.19  3.7  
   
f = 0.019
Solve for the head loss.
L V2 (1000)(1.2) 2
hf = f = (0.019) = 5.64 m
D 2g (0.25)(2)(9.81)
 SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 7
A swimming pool, 24m x 6m x 2m deep is supplied with water
by a 75mm dia. GI pipe 480m long from a nearby water main.
The pipe discharges freely into the pool during the entire filling
process. The average pressure at the water main is 820 kPa
and the water main is 6m above the discharge end of the pipe.
If the minor losses are 10% of the frictional loss, how many
hours will it take to fill the pool? Use f = 0.012.
P1= 820 kPa
Water
Main 1
6m
2
Required:
Pool, 24x6x2m
Time to fill the pool
 P1= 820 kPa
Water
Main 1
6m
2

Pool, 24x6x2m

Bernoulli’s Energy Equation from 1 to 2:

0 0
V12P1 P2 V22
+ + z1 = + + z2 + HL
2g w 2g w
P1
+ z1 = HL but HL = 1.10 Hf
w
820
+ 6 = 1.10Hf , Hf = 81.44 m
9.81
Darcy-Weisbach Equation,
LQ2
Hf = 0.0826f 5
D
(480)Q2
81.44 = 0.0826(0.012)
(0.075)5
Q = 0.020 m3 /s

therefore,
Vol Vol
Q= or t=
t Q
24 6 (2)
t= = 14400 𝑠 or 4 hrs
0.020