Aerodynamics & Hydraulics Laboratory

Laboratory Report Cover Page

Student Name Student ID Number
Ethan Coyne 19503383
Title of Experiment Experiment Number
Pipe Friction Apparatus (Plint) 3A

Class (3BM / 3BG / 3BSE / 3OA) 3BM1

Subject Code & Name ME301 Fluid Dynamics

Lecturer Dr Mingming Tong
Date of Attendance 10/22

Sate of Submission

Deduction for late submission

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of copying, including or directly quoting from, the work of another
without adequate acknowledgement. All work submitted by students for assessment
purposes is accepted on the understanding that it is their own work and written in their own
words except where explicitly referenced using the correct format. For example, you must
NOT copy information, ideas, portions of text, figures, designs, CAD drawings, computer
programs, etc. from anywhere without giving a reference to the source. Sources include the
Internet, other students’ work, books, journal articles, etc.

You must ensure that you have read the University Regulations relating to plagiarism, which
can be found on the NUIG website: https://www.nuigalway.ie/plagiarism/

I have read and understood the University Code of Practice on plagiarism and
confirm that the content of this document is my own work and has not been
plagiarised.
Ethan Coyne

Signature of Student
Introduction
In this lab, we seek to complete two objectives. The primary objective of this lab is to obtain
and plot readings from a series of piezometric heads installed throughout the apparatus for the
flow of a fluid in the laminar and turbulent flow ranges. The secondary objective is threefold;
readings are to be obtained for velocity, velocity squared, and hydraulic gradient. These
readings will be plotted as follows:

- A plot of hydraulic gradient against velocity, to prove the Hagen-Poisseuille Equation

for laminar flow
- A plot of hydraulic gradient against velocity squared, to prove the Darcy-Weisbach
Equation for turbulent flow
- A plot of hydraulic gradient against velocity across both the laminar and turbulent
flow ranges, using log(i) and log(v), to calculate the Reynolds Number, as well as
determine the critical value between laminar and transitional flow.

These objectives seek to prove a number of underlying theories governing the flow of fluids.
In proving these theories, a better understanding of the flow of fluids in both nature and
engineering can be obtained.

Procedure
First, flow regulating and isolating valves are to be opened. The apparatus is turned on and
allowed to run for a few minutes, so as to allow the equipment to warm up. Air is to be bled
from the tank through the bleeder valve, first in the warm up, and then again as required
throughout the procedure. To record flow, set the weighing machine jockey’s arm into the
down position, close the drain valve for the measuring tank, and initiate the stopwatch. Then,
raise the weight of the jockey. Terminate the stopwatch when the jockey rises.

For laminar flow, the distributor should be removed from the apparatus before taking
readings. For turbulent flow, the distributor should be reinserted into the apparatus. There are
21 tappings from which Manometer readings may be taken. Readings should be taken for
both laminar and turbulent flow. Using said readings will allow for pressure head to be
determined, which will allow for a plot of the pressure head against the length of the pipe to
be generated.

Results
Conclusion
As is evident from the results above, head losses are in fact proportional to the length of pipe
used. This confirms what is hypothesized in our first objective; head loss for the oil in the
system is proportional to distance travelled for laminar flow, and proportional to the square of
the distance for turbulent flow. This allows for another form of pressure control – one may
design a system or workplace so that systems which require lower pressures to operate may
be strategically located further from the supply.