Experiment No.

Determination of friction factor for pipes

Aim: To Determine friction factor for different diameter pipes for turbulent flow.
Apparatus: Friction factor apparatus set up, stop watch, collection tank etc.
Theory:
Principle:
When a fluid flows through a pipe, there is a loss of energy (or pressure) in the fluid. This is
because energy is dissipated to overcome the viscous (frictional) forces exerted by the walls of
the pipe as well as the moving fluid layers itself. In addition to the energy lost due to frictional
forces, the flow also loses pressure as it goes through fittings, such as valves, elbows,
contractions and expansions. The pressure loss in pipe flows is commonly referred to as head
loss. The frictional losses are referred to as major losses while losses through fittings etc, are
called minor losses. Together they make up the total head losses. The Reynolds number Re is
a dimensionless number that gives a measure of the ratio of inertial forces (Vr) to viscous forces
(μ=L). It is a very useful quantity and aids in classifying fluid flows. For flow through a pipe
experimental observations show that laminar flow occurs when Re < 2300 and turbulent flow
occurs when Re > 4000. In the between 2300 and 4000, the flow is termed as transition flow
where both laminar and turbulent flows are possible.
Procedure:
1. Select the required pipe line and connect the manometer rubber tubing to the pressure
tapings provided on the pipe line.
2. Open the common inlet valve, keeping the regulating valve of the selected pipe closed.
3. Vent the manometer if necessary.
4. Open partially the regulating valve of the pipe, keeping the common inlet valve fully open.
5. Allow the flow to get stabilized and then take manometer readings.
6. Note down the time taken for the water level to rise by 0.2 m in the collecting tank.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for six different settings of the regulating valve (i.e., for six different
discharges) .
Observations:

1. Diameter of the given pipe, D =

2. Length of the pipe, L =
3. Size of the collecting tank = lc x bc x hc

4
Observation table:

Sr. Manometer Time

Head
No. reading taken for Actual
loss Velocity Darcy’s
m rise of discharge
h= x ( -1) due to flow (V) friction
water (Q act)
x1 x2 x (m) friction in factor
level in
(m) (m) (m) (Hf) in ‘m/s’ (f)
(t) in ‘m3/s’
‘m’
‘Sec’

Model Calculations:
1. Head loss due to friction (Hf =h):
H f= ( − 1) (x1 – x2)
Where
Sm = Specific gravity of manometric fluid = 13.6 for mercury
Sf = Specific gravity of fluid flowing in pipe = 1 for water
x1 = Manometer reading in the right limb
x2 = Manometer reading in the left limb
Therefore Hf =
2. Actual discharge, Q act = AR/t
Where
A = Cross-sectional area of the collecting tank = l c  b c =
R = Rise of water level in the collecting tank =
t = Time taken for ‘R’ units of rise in water level
Therefore Q act =
3. Velocity of flow in the pipe, V = Q act/Ap
Where
Q act = Actual discharge =
A p = Cross sectional area of the pipe in which flow is taking place
= (π/4) D2
Therefore V =
4. Darcy’s friction factor
f = H f.
Where
H f = Head loss due to friction
D = Diameter of the pipe through which flow is taking place
L = Length of the pipe V = Velocity of flow .
Therefore f =

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Graph:-

Plot a graph of log V against log Hf taking log Hf on the abscissa and log V as ordinate.
Using the graph, find the value of the Darcy’s friction factor f.

Graphical Table:-
Sr.No. Hf Log Hf V LogV

Diagram:

Regulating valves
Pressure tapping
L
40 mm φ

25 mm φ

12 mm φ
U-tube manometer Collection tank

Result:

The value of Darcy’s friction factor from

a) Calculations =
b) Graph =