ABSTRACT

In this experiment, is using the Armfield C6-MKII-10 Fluid Friction Apparatus. Normally, it will
consider the frictional losses. It is occur because of the fluid viscosity and the formation of
turbulence that caused the flow disturbances. The objective of this experiment is to determine
the head loss due to fluid friction and velocity of flow water through the smooth bore pipes. After
that, confirm the head loss friction factor which is f. Then, the data was recorded and the graph
also was plotted. But the graph should get in proportional to each other. In addition, there are
few factors in affecting the head loss which are flow rate, inner diameter of the pipe, roughness
of the pipe wall, corrosion and scale deposits, viscosity of the liquid, fittings and also
straightness of the pipe. There are existence of both human errors, parallax errors and
environmental effect but there are always error counters to be taken place to increase the
accuracy of the results.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

The Fluid Friction Measurements Apparatus (Model: FM 100) has been planned to study on the
fluid friction head losses of an incompressible fluid flow. After that, it studies the friction losses
on smooth-bore pipes of various diameters and an artificially roughened pipe. Besides, to the
study of losses in straight pipes, a wide range of accessories are also provided including 90
bend, elbow and T, 45 elbow and Y, sudden enlargement and contraction, inline strainer,
various valves and flow meters.

3.0

OBJECTIVES

In this experiment is to determine the relationship between head loss due to fluid friction and
velocity for flow of water through smooth bore pipes and to confirm the head loss friction factor f.
But at the same time, this experiment also was to compare the head loss that obtained by a
pipe friction equation with the direct measure head loss.

4.0

THEORY

The investigation on friction head losses in various straight pipes can be finish over a range of
Reynolds numbers from 103 to nearly 105, control the laminar, transitional and turbulent flow in
smooth pipe. An unnaturally roughened pipe is supplied which, at the higher Reynolds number,
displays a clear departure from the typical smooth bore pipe characteristics. In addition, for each
size of test pipe, a short sample is given loose so that students will be able to determine the
exact diameter and imagine the nature of the internal finish. The ratio of the pipe diameter to
distance of the pressure tapping from the ends of each pipe has been selected to reduce end
entry effects. Next, isolating valves are provided so that the pipe to be tested can be selected
without any failure or draining the system. Tests on parallel pipe configuration can be done
whether rapid and accurate flow measurement is possible over the full working range of the
apparatus.

Basic theoretical background

Two types of flow may exist in a pipe.
1) Laminar flow at low velocities where hu
2) Turbulent flow at higher velocities where n hu

Figure 1: height versus mean velocity

Where h is the head loss due to friction and u is the fluid velocity:
For a circular pipe flowing full, the head loss due to friction may be calculated from the formula:
(1)
Where:
L is the length of the pipe between tapings, d is the internal diameter of the pipe.
U is the mean velocity of water through the pipe in (m/s).
g is acceleration due to gravity in (m/s2)
f is the pipe friction coefficient

The mean velocity, u is obtained from:

(2)
Where:
Q is the volumetric flowrate (m3/s)
d is the diameter of pipe (m)

Reynolds' number, Re, is defined as:

(3)
Where:
is the dynamic viscocity (1.15 10-3 Ns/m2 at 15C)
p is the density (999kg/m3 at 15C)

The value of f may be determined as a function of Re and the relative roughness =e/d
using a Moody diagram

Figure 2: Friction factor f as a function of Reynolds number and relative roughness (/D)

For round pipes the Moody diagram.

Equation (1) can be used to determine the theoretical head loss by reading the value of f for the
pipe in the Moody diagram if you know Re and .
When h is measured experimentally, Equation (1) can be rearranged to compute an
experimental value for f.
(4)

5.0

APPARATUS

Main parts:
Smooth pipes of various sizes
Artificially roughened pipe
90-degree mitre and elbow
90-degree smooth bends (up to 150 mm radius)
Sudden enlargement
Sudden contraction
Gate valve, globe valve and ball valve
Venturi meter and orifice meter
Pitot static tube
In-line strainer
Test Pipes with inside diameters from 4 mm to 17 mm

DIAGRAM
C6-MKII-10 Fluid friction apparatus, H12-8 Hand held digital pressure meter, internal
thermometer, stop watch and vernier caliper.

6.0

PROCEDURE
1. Review apparatus description and set up procedure.
2. Prime the pipe network with water. Open and close the appropriate valves to obtain flow
of water through the required test pipe.
3. Take readings at a number of different flow rates, altering the flow using the control
valve on the apparatus.
4. To get a good head-flow curve, 10 readings is sufficient.
5. Measure flow rates using the volumetric tank. For small flow rates use the measuring
cylinder. Measure head loss between the tapings using the portable pressure meter of
pressurized water manometer as appropriate.

6. Repeat the experiment for other smooth pipe.

7.0

RESULTS

Table 1: The readings and results of the experiment.

Volume

Time

Flow

Pipe

Velocity

Reynold

Measure

, V (L)

,T

rate,

Q diameter

, u (m/s)

Number,

Loss, h

Loss, h

Re

(m H2o)

(m H2o)

(sec)

(m /s)

, d (m)

Friction

Head factor, f

(hc hD)

Calculate
d

Head

Moody
diagra
m

The data above shows the result that was recorded and obtained to plot a graph of h versus u
for each of size of pipe. There are three zones which is laminar, transition and turbulent zones
that is determine from the graphs above. In addition, the result of graph was being compared
between the theoretical and experimental curves.

Graph 2: The fluid friction coefficient of a roughened pipe.

Graph 3: The head loss due to fittings

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8.0

DISCUSSION

In hydraulic engineering system, it is always needed to estimate the head loss incurred by a
fluid as it flows along a pipeline. For instance, it may be desired to estimate the rate of flow
along a proposed pipe connecting two reservoirs at different levels. Or it is necessary to
calculate what additional head would be required to double the rate of flow along an existing
pipeline. Loss of head is incurred by fluid mixing which occurs at fittings such as bends or
valves, and by frictional resistance at the pipe wall. Where there are various fittings and the pipe
is short, the major part of the head loss will be due to the local mixing near the fittings. For a
long pipeline, otherwise, skin friction at the pipe wall wills most major. In the experiment
described above, we investigate the frictional resistance to flow along a long straight pipe with
smooth walls.
Head loss is the decrease in the total head of a fluid which caused by the friction that exist in
the fluids motion. Furthermore, friction loss occurs if the fluid flows through the straight pipes
and minor losses are occur due to joints, valves, elbow, bend, and other equipment in the
systems. So, when there are have a changes of the direction of flow then the cross-sectional
area head loss also change.
Basically, the pattern of this experiment is the head loss is directly proportional to the flow
velocity whether for both laminar and turbulent phase but the transition phase is different. Next,
in order to get the comparison between the theoretical graphs, the graph of experimental need
to be constructed then the head loss was being calculated. Other than that, the Reynoldss
number and Moody diagram is necessary to make the comparison between the experimental
and theoretical curves.

9.0

CONCLUSION

As conclusion, the fluid friction apparatus is planned to permit a detailed study of pressure drop
due to fluid friction, head loss and show of heat in pipe when an incompressible fluid flows
through pipes, equipment, and flow metering devices. Next, it also can be determining the
friction head losses in straight pipes and fitting which by Darcy-Weisbach formula.

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10.0

RECOMMENDATION

In this experiment, we must ensure that the inlet of the hose is correctly inserted due to prevent
water spray out. Next, we must wear necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which to
prevent any harm occur. Then the most important is needed to remove air bubbles that trapped
in a pipe before starting the experiment which give a better accuracy result.

11.0

REFERENCES

a. Fluid Friction in Pipes and Fittings,

http://www.selkagmbh.com/product_info.php?pName=fluid-friction-in-pipes-and-fittingsp-1287. Retrieved on 17 October 2013
b. Orifice Flow Meter Calculator,
http://www.efunda.com/formulae/fluids/calc_orifice_flowmeter.cfm. Retrieved on 18
October 2013.
c. Heat And Mass Transfer Fundamentals And Applications, A. Cengel and J. Ghajar, 4th
ed, (2011).
d. Venturi Flow Meter Calculator,
http://www.efunda.com/formulae/fluids/venturi_flowmeter.cfm. Retrieved on 18 October
2013
e. Types of Pipes,
http://www.sandershomeservices.com/plumbing-types-of-pipes.php. Retrieved on 18
October 2013.

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12.0

APPENDICES

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