Laboratory No.

Minor Losses: Sudden and Gradual Expansion and

Contraction

Name: ___________________

Group Members:

____________________

_____________________

___________________

___________________

Objectives

This laboratory activity aims to:

1. To compare the computed minor loss in Sudden Enlargement using Borda’s equation, Archer’s equation
and the computed K constant with respect to the University of Michigan’s experimental constant.
2. To compare the computed minor loss in sudden contraction using Merriman’s equation, Brightmore’s
equation and the K constant with respect to the University of Michigan’s experimental constants
3. To derive the minor loss constant for gradual contraction

Procedures

1. There are 2 attachments that will be of use in this activity namely;

a) Sudden Contraction/Expansion
The two test sections consist of a 10mm nominal bore pipe at one end and a 20 mm nominal bore
pipe at the other end.
 b) Gradual Contraction valve
The two test sections consist of a 10 mm nominal bore pipe at one end and a 20 mm nominal bore
pipe at the other end, one of the test sections has a sudden or stepped transition between the two
diameters, whilst the other test section has a 30° included angle gradual transition between the two
sections

2. Attach each tapping point to the manometer in order from left to right. Make sure that there are no air bubbles.

3. Open the hydraulic bench pump and allow the flow to settle which includes the water level at the manometer.

4. When the flow is settled, measure the water levels at the manometers. Make sure that the reading
corresponds to the appropriate tappings in the pipe accessory.

5. At the same time, measure the flow rate using the flow manometer of the hydraulic bench. This task is
independent of the manometer reading activity.

6. For the sudden expansion/contraction accessory reverse the pipe accessory after measuring the flow rate and

7. Repeat step 1 to 5 for gradual expansion pipe

Data, Results and Computations

Table A - Sudden Expansion

Data:

Group Manometer Manometer Manometer Manometer Manometer Measured Computed Computed Computed Measured %
1 2 3 4 5 Flow rate Head Loss Head Loss Head Loss Head Loss Diff
cm cm cm cm cm Borda Archer Michigan (m)
(m) (m) (m)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Data Interpretation
Computations

Table B - Sudden Contraction

Data:
Group Manometer Manometer Manometer Manometer Manometer Measure Computed Computed Computed Measured %
1 2 3 4 5 d Flow Head Loss Head Loss Head Loss Head Loss Diff
cm cm cm cm cm rate Merriman Brightmor Michigan (m)
(m) e (m)
(m)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Data Interpretation

Computations
Table C - Gradual Contraction

Data:

Group Manometer Manometer Manometer Manometer Manometer Measured Computed Computed Computed Measured %
1 2 3 4 5 Flow rate Head Loss Head Loss Head Loss Head Loss Diff
cm cm cm cm cm Borda Archer Michigan (m)
(m) (m) (m)
Data Interpretation

Table C - Gradual Contraction

Group Manometer 1 Manometer 2 Manometer 3 Manometer 4 Manometer 5 Measured Flow rate Computed Minor Loss
cm cm cm cm cm (m)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Data Interpretation
Computations
Documentation
Conclusion
Recommendation