UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CEWB121 MECHANICS OF FLUID LABORATORY

OPEN ENDED EXPERIMENT REPORT

EXP. TITLE : HEAD LOSS DUE TO FRICTION AND PIPE FITTING IN

ROUND SMOOTH PIPE
EXP. NO :5

GROUP MEMBERS: 1. Abdullah Alawlaqi CE01083274

2. Mohamed Osama CE01083235
3. Karrar Al Mohamed CE01082998

INSTRUCTOR : Dr. Ali Najah Al Mahfoodh

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No. Criteria Total marks Given marks
1. Formatting and 4
grammar/ spelling
2. Introduction and 4
objectives
3. Procedure 6
4. Results: data, figures, 6
graphs, tables, etc.
5. Analysis 7.5
6. Discussion 7.5
7. Conclusion 5

Overall marks PO4: {40 mark }

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INTRODUCTION:

In this experiment, we are divided into the world of water flow through pipes using the
HF135 piping loss test set. Our main goal is to understand how pressure changes within a
pipe system and why it matters in the real world.

Understanding water flow is essential for designing systems that work well in everyday
life, from water distribution networks to energy-efficient setups.

Our experiment buddy, the HF135 test set, lets us control and measure things in real-time.
It's like our detective tool for figuring out how water behaves in pipes.

And therefore, By the end of the experiment, we hope to more about what causes pressure
changes, how pipes play a role, and what different flow rates do to the whole system.

OBJECTIVE:
In this experiment, our mission is to use the HF135 piping loss test set to unravel the
mysteries of water flow in pipes. We aim to:

1. Understand how pressure changes within a piping system under different

conditions.
2. Examine how different types of pipes and their characteristics affect water flow
and pressure.
3. Investigate the relationship between flow rates and overall system performance.
4. Verify theoretical concepts learned in class by comparing them with real-world
experimental results.
5. Connect our experiment findings to real-world scenarios, considering applications
in water distribution and system optimization.

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THEORY:
In Bernoulli's equation, hf represents the head loss due to friction between the fluid and the
internal surface of the constant diameter pipe as well as the friction between the adjacent fluid
layers

2 2
p1/g + V1 /2g + Z1 = p2 / g + V2 /2g + Z2 + hf (1)

This will result in a continuous change of energy from a valuable mechanical form (such as
kinetic or potential energies) to a less valuable thermal form that is heat. This change of energy is
usually referred to as friction head loss, which represents the amount of energy converted into
heat per unit weight of fluid.

The head losses (hf) in pipe due to friction can be determined using Darcy-Weisbach
equation;

Turbulent flow hf = 4 fLV2 (2)

2 gD

Where:
f = Friction factor
L = Length
V = Mean velocity (Q/A)
g = Gravity
D = Constant diameter

The friction head loss for both laminar and turbulent flows can be expressed by similar formulas
although the original derivation of each one is different:

L V2
hf = f (3)
D 2g

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In laminar flow, the friction factor is only a function of Reynolds number while for turbulent flow
it is a function of Reynolds (Re) number and the relative roughness of the pipe.

VD
Re = (4)


where : density, V: average velocity, D: pipe inside diameter, : viscosity.

Based on the nature of the flow, friction factor (f ) can be estimated using the following
correlations

Laminar flow f = 64 (5)

Re

Turbulent Flow f = 0.316

Re0.25 (6)

Equation (6) is Blasius Equation and only valid for smooth pipe and 3000 < Re< 105. The
value of f for turbulent flow can be obtained experimentally from the Moody Chart.

Moreover, for turbulent flow, the relationship between hf and V takes the form

n
(7)
hf = K. V

where K is a loss coefficient and n ranges from 1.7 to 2.0 (depending on the value of Re and
ks/D).This equation can be written as

Log hf = Log K + n Log V (8)

in order to find K and n experimentally, using graph

Experimentally, one can obtain the head loss by applying energy equation between any two
points along a constant diameter pipe. This is done in Eq. 1 and by noticing that the pipe is
horizontal and the diameter is constant. The pressure heads of a fluid between 2 points , h1 and
h2, are measured by using Piezometer tubes. The total head loss can be determined
experimentally by applying the Bernoulli’s equation as follows:

hf = (P1- P2) /g = h1 - h2 (9)

Energy losses are proportional to the velocity head of the fluid as it flows around an elbow,
through an enlargement or contraction of the flow section, or through a valve. Experimental
values for energy losses are usually reported in terms of a resistance or loss coefficient K as
follows:

KV 2
hL = (10)
2g

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
where hL is the minor loss, K is the resistance or loss coefficient, and V is the average
velocity of flow in the pipe in the vicinity where the minor loss occurs. The resistance or loss
coefficient is dimensionless because it represents a constant of proportionality between the
energy loss and the velocity head. The magnitude of the resistance coefficient depends on the
geometry of the device that causes the loss and sometimes on the velocity of flow.

Minor losses at sudden enlargement

When a fluid flows from a smaller pipe into a larger pipe through a sudden enlargement, its
velocity abruptly decreases, causing turbulence, which generates an energy loss.

where,
V1 = velocity at small cross-section (upstream)
V2 = velocity at large cross-section (downstream)

The minor loss (hL) due to sudden enlargement of the pipe can be estimated by integrating the
momentum, continuity and Bernoulli equations between positions 1 and 2 to give

hL =
(V1 − V2 )
2

(11)
2g

Substituting again for the continuity equation to get an expression involving the two areas,
(i.e. V2=V1(A1/A2) gives

2
KV1
hL = (12)
2g

2
 A1 
2
  D 2 
Where , K = 1 −  = 1 −  1  
 A2    D2  
 

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Minor losses at sudden contraction

When a fluid flows from a larger pipe into a smaller pipe through a sudden contraction, the
fluid streamlines will converge just downstream of the smaller pipe, known as vena
contraction phenomena, creating a turbulence region from the sharp corner of the smaller
pipe and extends past the vena contracta, which subsequently generates an energy loss.

In a sudden contraction, flow contracts from point 1 to point 1', forming a vena contraction. It
is possible to assume that energy losses from 1 to 1' are negligible (no separation occurs in
contracting flow) but that major losses occur between 1' and 2 as the flow expands again

If the vena contract area is A1’=Ac, then the minor loss (hL) can be estimated by integrating
the momentum , continuity and Bernoulli equations between positions 1 and 2 to give
2
 A  V2
hL = 1 − C  2 (13)
 A2  2 g

The above equation is commonly expressed as a function of loss coefficient (K) and the
average velocity (V2) in the smaller pipe downstream from the contraction as follows;
2
2  A 
hL =
KV2 K = 1 − C  (14)
2g  A2 

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Minor Losses at elbow or bend pipe

Losses in fittings such as elbow, valves etc have been found to be proportional to the velocity
head of the fluid flowing. The energy loss is expressed in the general form,

KV 2
hL = (15)
2g
where,
K = loss coefficient (dependent on the ratio of total angle of bending to radius

of bending (R/d) of the curves as the bending occurs)

Experimental determination of total head loss

In the experiment the pressure heads before and after a fluid undergoing sudden change in
pipe diameter or flow direction, h1 and h2, are measured by using Piezometer tubes. The total
head loss (major and minor losses) can be determined experimentally by applying the
Bernoulli’s equation as follows:
2 2
P1/g + Vl / 2 g + Z1 = P2/g + V2 / 2 g + Z2 + hL (16)

2 2
hl + Vl / 2 g + Z1 = h2 + V2 / 2 g + Z2 + hL (17)

V12 − V22
and since Z1 = Z2 , then hL = h1 − h2 + (18)
2g

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APPARATUS

HF135 Piping Loss Test Set

Stopwatch
Hydraulic Bench

Description of Apparatus
Tee PVC Pipe ¾ “ Straight flow
Tee PVC Pipe ¾ “ Line, 90˚ bend
PVC Pipe No 1: Diameter 1-in = 0.0254m
PVC Pipe No 2: Diameter ¾ -in = 0.0191m
PVC Pipe No 1: Diameter ½ -in = 0.0127m

The experiments will be performed using a pipe flow setup as shown in figure above. This is
a self contained water circulating unit for a study of friction losses in pipes, pipe fittings, and
valves; and to determine the coefficients of discharge for primary flow measuring devices at
various flow rates. The unit consists of a pump, a storage tank and a panel on which all
friction loss components and the flow measuring devices are arranged. Friction loss is
measured by a pressure drop, and coefficient of discharge is determined from a pressure drop
and a flow rate. Flow rate is measured using a constant flow rate flow meter, and the pressure
drop is measured using a manometer. Pressure taps are connected by flexible hoses to a set of
specially arranged manifolds such that differential pressure across any component can be
measured simply by opening valves without removing the hoses.

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The equipment consists of the following:

Friction Components

The components are arranged on a panel and include:

Linear pipes
Length of Pipe : 1250 mm
Tee PVC Pipe ¾ “ Sraight Flow
Tee PVC Pipe ¾ “ Line, 90o Bend
PVC : 3/4 in, 1/2 in and 1 in.

Elbows and bends

Regular elbow
45° elbow
Short radius bend
Long radius bend

Valves
Gate valve
Globe valve
Ball valve
Check valve

Other fittings
Sudden expansion and contraction
Tee sections

Measuring Devices
Flow rate meter (Installed on the same panel as 1.1)
Water manometer with a hand air pump: 2 tubes, 950 mm × 1 mm graduations
Mercury manometer: 2 tubes, 950 mm× 1 mm graduations

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PROCEDURE (To Test the Head Loss due to Pipe Friction)

1. The flow control valve and the inlet isolating valve are fully opened, the outlet
flow control valve is also opened to release trapped air.
2. The isolating valve for test pipe No.1 is opened.
3. The two manometer tubes into the tapping points are inserted, then we turned
the tapping valve into open position, and the air is released by opening the air
vent of the manometer.
4. The pump is turned on.
5. The drain is closed, and the stopwatch is used to time the amount of water
flowing into the measuring tank.
6. The reading on the manometer is noted down.
7. After its done, the drain is opened, and we let the water flow out.
8. The flow of water is changed by regulating the outlet flow control valve.
9. Again, we measured the flowrate of water and the manometer reading.
10. At least sex reading for various flowrates are obtained.
11. The pump is turned off, the isolating valve and the tapping valve for test pipe
No.1 are shut.
12. The manometer tube is inserted into tapping point for test pipe No.2 and both
the tapping and isolating valve are opened.
13. The pump is on and all the relevant readings are taken.
14. All the above procedures are repeated for test pipe No.3

PROCEDURE (To Test the Head Loss at the valves (Gate)

1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H1) of pipe 3 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 4 (gate valve). The system is now flowing
through the gate valve pipe.

2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counter-
clockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 10
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air bubbles
are removed up to the manometer glass tube.

3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 10 liter/minute, The

value of H1 and H2 in millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of
water manometer flowing pressure as Q is changed

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PROCEDURE (To Test the Head Loss at the ball)

1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H1) of pipe 5 to the
outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 6 (elbow). The system is now flowing through the
elbow pipe.

2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counter-
clockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 10
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air will
move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air bubbles are
removed up to the manometer glass tube.

3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 10 liter/minute, The

value of H1 and H2 in millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of water
manometer flowing pressure as Q is changed.

PROCEDURE (To Test the Sudden Enlargement)

1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H1) of pipe 6 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 7 (sudden enlargement). The system is
now flowing through the sudden enlargement pipe.

2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counter-
clockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 10
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air
bubbles are removed up to the manometer glass tube.

3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 10 liter/minute, The

value of H1 and H2 in millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of
water manometer flowing pressure as Q is changed.

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PROCEDURE (To Test the Sudden Contraction)

1. The control valve (turn clockwise) is slowly controlled until maximum turn. The
manometer rubber tube is moved from the inlet flowing pressure (H1) of pipe 7 to
the outlet flowing pressure (H2) of pipe 8 (sudden contraction). The system is now
flowing through the sudden contraction pipe.

2. Both water manometer rubber tubes is put at inlet flowing pressure (H1) and outlet
flowing pressure (H2) while at the same time the control valve (turn counter-
clockwise) is slowly controlled until flow rate Q reaches maximum value 10
liter/minute. During the process, if air bubbles present in the flowing pipe, the air
will move through the higher end of water manometer rubber tube. The air
bubbles are removed up to the manometer glass tube.

3. The flow rate is readjusted to appropriate maximum value 10 liter/minute, and 5

(five) different flow rates Q is determined from maximum value 10 liter/minute to
the lowest value (let the increment as large as possible). The value of H1 and H2 in
millimeter (mm) of the inlet is recorded and the outlet of water manometer
flowing pressure as Q is changed.

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 Results:

Q (L/m) Q(m3/s) H1(m) H2(m) Exp Pipe Velocity Re λ Theoretical Percentage

head diameter V Head loss Error (%)
loss (m) (m) (m/s) (m)
10 1.66x10-4 1.275 1.260 0.015 0.0254 0.327 7215 0.137 0.037 59.46%

10 1.66x10-4 1.480 1.420 0.060 0.0191 0.579 9606 0.127 0.140 57.14%

10 1.66x10-4 1.512 1.312 0.200 0.0127 1.310 14452 0.114 0.964 79.25%

Q (L/m) Q(m3/s) H1(m) H2(m) Exp Pipe Velocity Re λ Theoretical Percentage

head diameter V Head loss Error (%)
loss (m) (m) (m/s) (m)
10 1.66x10-4 1.22 1.16 0.06 0.0190 0.585 9655 0.127 0.145 58.62%
gate
-4
10 1.66x10 1.50 1.41 0.09 0.0190 0.585 9655 0.127 0.145 37.93%
ball

Q (L/m) Q(m3/s) H1(m) H2(m) Exp Pipe Velocity Re λ Theoretical Percentage

head diameter V Head loss Error (%)
loss (m) (m) (m/s) (m)
-4
10 1.66x10 1.427 1.422 0.005 D1=0.0190 V1=0.585 Re1=9655 Λ1 =0.127 0.015 66.66%
To To To To
D2=0.0635 V2=0.052 Re2=2868 Λ2 =0.172

10 1.66x10-4 1.196 1.210 0.014 D1=0.0635 V1=0.052 Re1=2868 Λ1 =0.172 0.0083 68.67%
To To To To
D2=0.0190 V2=0.585 Re2=9655 Λ2 =0.127

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Calculations ( Take Table 1 the first row for example of calculation)
The Flow Rate, Q is calculated by the following formula:
Q = 10L/m X (1 m3/s)/60000 L/m
= 1.66x10-4

1. Head loss exp :

Exp H = H1 – H2 = 1.275 – 1.260
= 0.015 m

2. The Area, A is calculated by the following formula:

Area of pipe = pi(0.0254)2
4
= 5.067x10-4

3. The Velocity, V is obtained by:

Velocity, v =Q
A
= 1.66x10-4
5.067x10-4

= 0.327 m/s

4. The Reynold Number, Re is calculated by the following formula:

Rₑ = Pvd
μ
= (999)(0.327)(0.0254)
1.15x10-3

= 7215.21

5. Pipe friction, Lambda is found by the using the following formula:

f = 0.316
Re0.25
= 0.316
(7215.21)0.25

= 0.03429

Λ=4f = 4(0.03429)
= 0.137

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 6. Theoretical Head loss, Htheory is calculated by the following formula:

Htheo = λLv2
2gd

= (0.137)(1.25)(0.327)2
2(9.81)(0.0254)

7. The Percent Error is calculated by the following formula:

Percentage error, % = Theory – Exp
X 100
Theory

= 0.037 – 0.015 X 100

0.037
= 59.46%

In the last table we didn’t use step 6 to find the Htheory, because we have two different
Reynold numbers and two different Diameters, therefore we used the following
formula:
For sudden enlargement:
HL = K(v12/2g)
For sudden contraction:
HL = K(v22/2g)
Where we can find K for each of them from the Resistance coefficient-sudden contraction
and Resistance coefficient -Sudden enlargement graphs in CEWB1041 slides

*(The other calculations are done using the same steps.)

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Discussion:
Setting things up.
So, in our experiment, we used this cool HF135 piping loss test set to check out how pressure
works in a pipe system. We had all sorts of stuff set up, like (mention some equipment or
tools used) to make sure our experiment was on point.

Getting down to business.

We did our thing by tweaking stuff like flow rates, temperatures, and valve positions using
the HF135 test set. It helped us keep things under control and made sure we got results we
could trust.

Keeping track of the numbers.

We measured all sorts of stuff—flow rates, pressure differences, and whatever else mattered.
The HF135 test set made it easy to collect data in real-time, so we had a bunch of good
numbers to play with.

Figuring out the results.

We looked at our data and tried to make sense of it. Graphs showing pressure loss versus
flow rate were key. We threw in things like Reynolds numbers, pipe roughness, and how
fittings affect pressure drop to really understand what was going on.

Matching up with what we learned in the theory class.

We compared our results with the stuff we learned in class and from textbooks. It was
interesting to see where things lined up and where they didn't. This helped us see how well
the HF135 test set matched up with what we expected.

Why this matters in real world?

All this experimenting wasn’t just for fun. Knowing about pressure losses is crucial in the
real world, like when you want to save energy, pick the right pump size, or design systems
that actually work.

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Conclusion.

We saw how changing water flow affects pressure in pipes using the HF135 test set.
We understood that the pressure helps design better systems, save energy, and pick the right
pumps in real life. And this tool was awesome! It helped us measure things in real-time and
control our experiment.

And of course, we got some problems and errors because we're not perfect. We could make
measurements better and try different things next time.

What’s next!
Our experiment opens the door for more cool research, exploring different pipes and
conditions.
In short, our experiment with HF135 was hands-on learning about how pressure works in
pipes. It's not just for books — it's for making pipes work better in the real world. As we go
forward, what we learned will help us understand how water flows even more.

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