Determination of Pipe Roughness for PVC and Galvanized Iron

pipe in a Closed Conduit Flow

I. Objectives
➔ To determine the relative roughness of the pipe using a hydraulic bench set-up
➔ To compare the experimental relative roughness coefficient to values obtained from previous
experiments
➔ To provide a comprehensive record of the results and compile it for future experiments

II. Theoretical Background

The laws of nature state if you want to move something, there will be resistance. Roughness
of the pipe is one of the factors that affects head loss. Flow of fluids is governed by Energy Equation
with the assumptions of steady flow, incompressible flow and the control volume has only one inlet
and outlet. The energy equation was derived based from Reynold Transport Theorem and First Law of
Thermodynamics and it can be shown as:

𝑷𝟏 𝑽𝟏 𝟐 𝑷𝟐 𝑽𝟐 𝟐
+ 𝒛𝟏 + + 𝒉𝒑 − 𝒉𝒕 − ∑𝒉𝑳 = + 𝒛𝟐 +
𝜸 𝟐𝒈 𝜸 𝟐𝒈 [1]

Where 𝑝1, 𝑝2: pressure at the inlet and outlet section, respectively
𝑧1, 𝑧2: elevation of the inlet and outlet section, respectively, measured from a certain
datum
𝑉1, 𝑉2: mean velocity at the inlet and outlet section, respectively
ℎ𝑝: head added by the pump
ℎ𝑡: head extracted by the turbine
𝛴ℎ𝐿: total head loss from the inlet section to the outlet section
𝛾: specific weight of the fluid
𝑔: acceleration due to gravity

Prior to calculation necessary measurements and data should be obtained through performing
an experiment using the orifice flow apparatus mounted on a hydraulic bench. In this experiment, pipe
will be connected to the orifice flow apparatus. PVC and galvanized iron pipe will be used, and its
diameter and length should be recorded while its roughness coefficient will be determined through the
experiment and with the use of formulas derived from experimentations.

Velocity of the flow varies depending the adjustments in the water valve and at the length and
diameter of the pipe. It can be calculated by:

∆𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆
𝑉= ∆𝒕 [2]
𝑨

where ∆Volume= the change in volume (m3)

∆t = the change in time (s)
A= the flow area (m2)

In this experiment, only turbulent flows will be considered, and it can be checked
using Reynolds Number (Re). A Re greater than 4000 should be obtained for a trial to be considered.
Reynolds Number can be calculated by:

[3]
 𝑽𝑫
𝑹𝒆 =
𝝁

where V= velocity of the flow (m/s)

D= diameter of the pipe (m)
µ= kinematic viscosity of fluid (m2/s)

Head losses in pipe can be divided into two, major and minor losses. Major loss is due to the friction
induced in flow of fluid in the pipe and it is calculated using Darcy-Weisbach equation.

𝑳 𝑽𝟐
𝒉𝒇 = 𝒇 [4]
𝑫 𝟐𝒈
where f= friction factor
L= length of the pipe (m)
D= pipe diameter (m)
V= velocity of the flow area(m/s)
g= acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

The analysis of this experiment is limited only to the calculation of roughness coefficient (ϵ). Thus,
friction factor will be determined using energy equation from the free surface at the reservoir to the
pipe free jet.

𝑽𝟐
𝒛𝟏 + −∑𝒉𝑳 =
𝟐𝒈
𝑽𝟐
𝒛𝟏 − ∑𝒉𝒇 − ∑𝒉𝒎 =
𝟐𝒈
𝑳 𝑽𝟐 𝑽𝟐 𝑽 𝟐
𝒛𝟏 − 𝒇 − 𝟎. 𝟓 =
𝑫 𝟐𝒈 𝟐𝒈 𝟐𝒈

Isolating f from the equation above will result to:

𝑫 ∗ 𝟐𝒈 ∗ 𝒛𝟏 𝟏. 𝟓 ∗ 𝑫 [5]
𝒇= −
𝑳𝑽𝟐 𝑳

where z1 = elevation head of the reservoir (m)

g= acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)
V= flow velocity (m/s)
L= length of the pipe (m)
D= Diameter of the pipe (m)

Friction factor can also be calculated using Swamee and Jain equation. This equation is only
valid if and only if 4X103 < Re < 108 and 10-5 < 𝜖/D < 2X10-2 can be observed in the set up. Thus Re
should be checked in each trial if it satisfy this conditions and 𝜖/D will be checked after solving for 𝜖.
Swamee and Jain equation is given by:

𝟎. 𝟐𝟓
𝒇=
𝝐 /𝑫 𝟓. 𝟕𝟒 𝟐
[𝐥𝐨𝐠( 𝟑. 𝟕 + )] [6]
𝑹𝒆𝟎.𝟗

In order to solve for the roughness coefficient equation 5 and 6 will be combined. This will
result to this equation:
 𝟎.𝟐𝟓 𝟓.𝟕𝟒
[𝒍𝒐𝒈(𝟑.𝟕𝑫)+√ −
𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝟎.𝟗
] [7]
𝝐 = 𝟏𝟎

where D= Diameter of the pipe (m)

f= friction factor solved from equation 5
Re= Reynolds Number

To simplify the analysis, the coefficient of minor loss due to sudden expansion in the entrance
was taken from the table below.

Table 1. Loss Coefficients for Various Transitions and Fittings

Theoretically, calculated roughness coefficient should approach the values presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Common Roughness coefficient For Different Pipe Material

III. Experimental Set-up

IV. Methodology
1. Measure the diameter and length of the two pipes to be used in the experiment.
2. Assemble the experimental set-up.
a. Attach pipe to the orifice on the cylinder.
b. Check if all connections were made properly.
3. The flow properties will then be measured using the hydraulic bench set-up.
a. Rotate the valve in the hydraulic bench to pump water into the cylinder up to a certain
height.
b. Once the water in the cylinder becomes stable, measure the head of the water from the
pipe, H.
c. Using a beaker or any container, collect water from the free jet while measuring the time
it takes to produce the volume of water.
d. Perform another trial using a different height by rotating the valve.
4. Perform necessary calculations to obtain the experimental friction factor and experimental
relative roughness coefficient.
5. Determine the deviation of these values from the theoretical friction factor and theoretical
minor loss coefficient, respectively.
6. Change the pipes and perform 5 trials for each, following the same procedure.

V. Raw data to be collected

The first table consists of the physical properties of the two pipes to be analyzed. Both
variables will be used in the determination of the friction factor using the Darcy-Weisbach Equation.

Galvanized Iron PVC

Length

Diameter
 Table 1. Raw data for physical properties of pipes

The second data table is for the measurement of the flow properties. The head loss, volume of
water produced, and the time taken to produce the volume of water are essential parameters needed in
the Darcy-Weisbach Equation.

Type Trial H (m) ΔVol (L) Δt (s)

Galvanized Iron
...

PVC
...

Table 2. Raw data for flow properties

VI. Expected results

In determining the pipe roughness, the Reynolds number and the friction factor will be
needed. It is expected that the values of the pipe roughness will be drastically different than the values
presented in the Moody Diagram.

Pipe Trial A Q V Re f ϵexp ϵtheo

GI 1

...

1
PVC
...

Table 3. Data analysis table

VII. References
• Turiano, M. C. (2018). CE 16 Lecture 5: Major Losses [PDF]. Retrieved from uvle.com.ph
• Turiano, M. C. (2018). CE 16 Lecture 6: Minor Losses [PDF]. Retrieved from uvle.com.ph
• White, F. M. (1998). Fluid Mechanics (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill