Friction Factors for Turbulent Flow

H.ITO
Assistant Professor o f the
in Curved Pipes
Institute o f H i g h S p e e d
M e c h a n i c s , Tohoku University, The object of this paper is to furnish the engineer with reliable data on the friction
Sendai, Japan
factors to be used in computing the pressure losses for turbulent flow in smooth curved
pipes. The empirical formulas proposed, backed by theoretical considerations, appear
to define the influence of curvature upon the law of resistance with satisfactory accuracy.

Introduction Table 1 D i m e n s i o n s of c u r v e d pipes w h i c h w e r e tested

Radius
TI ,HE PROBLEM of the determination of t h e l a w of Curved pipe of curvature, Radius ratio,
no. ID, 2r0, cm R, cm R/n
resistance for turbulent flow through straight pipes has been 1 1.604 520.0 648
the subject of many exhaustive investigations. Comparatively 2 1.604 200.0 250
few records are available, however, with regard to the influence 3 1.596 80.37 100
of curvature, especially for turbulent flow. 4 3.491 69.72 40.0
5 1.577 12.90 16.4
Such curved pipes are largely used in heating and refrigeration
in order to transfer heat from one fluid to another, and the
press the friction factors for turbulent flow through curved pipes
clarification of the law of resistance offers an important indication
in deciding the pressure required to obtain the necessary circula- with satisfactory accuracy.
tion and the rate of heat transfer for a given circulation.
In curved pipes there exists a secondary flow by the action of a Experimental Apparatus
centrifugal force, and it has attracted the attention of many in- All the experimental pipes used to measure the friction factors
vestigators. Unfortunately, these researches [1-13] 1 are con- were of smooth, drawn-copper tubing, specially selected for
fined mainly to the case of laminar flow. For the case of turbu- straightness and uniformity of their bores. The dimensions of
lent flow, the chief interest of the hydraulic engineer, no theoreti- curved pipes tested are found in Table 1. The arrangement of
cal investigations have been published about the law of re- experimental apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 1. The water, led
sistance, and comparatively few experimental records [6, 7, 9, and
10] are available, so far as the author is aware.
Recently, Hawthorne [14] and Detra [15] analyzed the sec-
ondary flow in curved pipes. However, since both of them are
grounded on the inviscid-fluid theory, they have nothing to con-
tribute to the clarification of the law of resistance which is the
main subject of the present investigation.
It is the purpose of this paper to present results of measure-
ments on the frictional resistance for turbulent flow through
curved pipes, and further to furnish empirical formulas which ex-
1 Numbers in brackets designate References at end of paper.

Contributed b y the Fluid Mechanics Subcommittee of the H y -

draulics Division and presented at the Seini-Annual Meeting, Detroit,
M i c h . , J u n e 1 5 - 1 9 , 1 9 5 8 , o f T H E A M E R I C A N SOCIETY OF M E C H A N I C A L
ENGINEERS.
NOTE: Statements and opinions advanced in papers are to be
understood as individual expressions of their authors and not those of Fig. 2 T h i n - p l a t e orifice u s e d t o i m p o s e d i s t u r b e d c o n d i t i o n s a t e n t r y
the Society. Manuscript received at A S M E Headquarters, February a n d its a r r a n g e m e n t s : 1 Bell-mouth entrance, 2 thin-plate orifice, 3
21.1058. Paper No. 58—SA-14. upstream tangent (drawn-copper tubing)

AO

M
r

on
Fig. 1 A r r a n g e m e n t of experimental apparatus: 1 H o n e y c o m b flow s t r a i g h t e n e r , 2 3 - i n . p i p e , 3 b e l l -
m o u t h entrance, 4 upstream tangent (drawn-copper tubing t a m e as 5 ) , 5 curved pipe (drawn-copper tubing),
6 t h e r m o m e t e r , 7 orifice m e t e r , 8 v a l v e , 9 w e i g h i n g t a n k , 1 0 t r i a n g u l a r w e i r w i t h a v e r t e x a n g l e 9 0 d e g ,
1 1 t h i n - p l a t e orifice to i m p o s e d i s t u r b e d c o n d i t i o n s , X p i e z o m e t e r s

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 0,045
0,04
0,025
0,015
0,012
0,01
0,09
0,08
0,07
Fig. 3 Friction factors for the straight, d r a w n - c o p p e r pipes used In the tests:
resistance f o r m u l a , 3 Nikuradse's resistance f o r m u l a , 4 Hagen-Poiseuille l a w
from a surge tank or from a constant-level tank, after passing
through the "honeycomb" flow straightener and the bell-mouth
entrance, enters the experimental pipe. The axial length of the
curved pipe was determined to be sufficiently long so that to-
gether with the long upstream tangent the entrance effects might
be completely eliminated within the testing length of the pipe.
In cases where pipes of 16-mm I D were used, the measured criti-
cal Reynolds number was unusually high. In such cases experi-
ments were also conducted for the disturbed conditions at entry
to the straight pipe. The plate used to introduce disturbances
has a form similar to that of a thin-plate orifice. Its dimensions
and arrangements are seen in Fig. 2.
The friction factors / , for the straight, drawn-copper pipes used
in the tests are shown plotted against the Reynolds number in
Fig. 3. The measured results are in close agreement with the re-
sistance formulas [16-18] for smooth straight pipes.
Friction Factors for Fully Developed Flow in Curved Pipes
The friction factor of a curved pipe, denoted hy f c , is defined by
the equation
in which h is the loss of head in friction, lc and d the axial length
and internal diameter of the curved pipe, v„ the mean velocity
of flow, and g the acceleration of gravity.
The measured friction factors of the fully developed flow in
curved pipes are shown in Fig. 4. With regard to the friction
factors of turbulent flow, the measured results for pipe No. 1,
which has the largest radius of curvature in our experimental
pipes, practically coincide with the Blasius formula for the lower
Reynolds numbers. While for pipe No. 5, where the radius of
curvature is the smallest, a considerable increase in resistance is
observed.
124 / j u n e 1959
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© UNDISTURBED!
f I 6mm t
O DISTURBED '
o 3 5 mm $
, _ 2 Viwfo
1 Logarithmic resistance f o r m u l a , 2 Blasius'
The ratio of the friction factor of a curved pipe to that of a
straight pipe in the case of laminar flow is expressed in Fig. 5 in
ordinary manner [6 and 9] as a function of the Dean number
R(ro/fl) 1/,! where r0 is the radius of the cross section, R the radius
of curvature of pipe axis, and R the Reynolds number 2vmr0/v (v
being the kinematic viscosity of the fluid). In Fig. 5 the results
of the previous experimenters [6, 9, 10] are included together
with the empirical formulas [6, 9, and 19] for laminar flow. These
results may be expressed in a somewhat different form: In Fig. 6,
fc(R/ro)l/l is expressed as a function of the Dean number R(ro/R)'/',
which, being referred to Figs. 7 and 8, seems to be the more com-
prehensible presentation than in the former case.
Resistance Formulas for Fully Developed Turbulent Flow
in Smooth Curved Pipes
Resistance Formula for Turbulent F l o w Deduced From the th-Power
The experimental results of the author
Velocity Distribution L a w .
are plotted in Fig. 7, together with those of the previous investi-
gators [6, 9, 10, 20, and 21], as a function of the nondimensional
number R(r0/7S)2. Although the radius ratios of the curved
pipes in these experiments differ widely, all the experimental
results conform satisfactorily to a single curve for fully developed
turbulent flow. The following empirical formula was deduced
from the experimental results
/ p \ i/s
/„(— j = 0.029 + 0.304[R(r„/.R) 2 ]-°-* (2)
This equation gives good agreement with experimental results in
the range
300 > R(r0/R)2 > 0.034
Below R()'o/A) 2 = 0.034, the friction factor of a curved pipe prac-
tically coincides with that of a straight pipe.
Transactions of the AS M E
 Fig. 4 Friction factors for curved pipes: 1 Logarithmic resistance f o r m u l a , 2 Blasius' resistance f o r m u l a , 3 Nikuradse's
resistance f o r m u l a , 4 Hagen-Poiseuille l a w

WHITE IT 0
« R/r, = 2050 •
e } RAo = 648
® .. = 50
© >. =15,15 c
= 250
ADLER o
fi R / r 0 = 200 x = I 00
» I. =100 O = 40
>• = 5 0 ©
= 16,4
K E U L E G A N ft B E I J o
• R/r0 = 3820
• = 2010
• » = 446
• » =23 3

Fig. 5 Friction factor for l a m i n a r flow in curved pipes as a function of the D e a n n u m b e r , R ( r o / R ) ' A : I White's e m p i r i c a l f o r m u l a , 2 Prandtl's
empirical f o r m u l a , 3 A d l e r ' s theoretical f o r m u l a

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 R(r°/R)

- WHITE
® R/r0 = 2 0 5 0
= 50
e » • 15,15
ADLER
— A R/r0 = 2 0 0
A » « I0 0 * } R/r„» 648
<7 « » 5 0
KEULEGAN & B E I J m } " * 250
• R/r0 * 3820
• I 00
a >i i 2 0 1 0
« 40
• » = 446
& « » 233

I04 I
R
( " R )

Fig. 6 Friction factor for l a m i n a r f l o w in curved pipes as a function of the Dean n u m b e r , R(r 0 /R)'/>: 1 White's empirical f o r m u l a , 2 Prandtl's
empirical formula, 3 Adler's theoretical f o r m u l a , 4 Hagen-Poiseuille l a w

For large values of R(r 0 /ii) 2 the following empirical formula was duced from the experimental results and it may be used for values
deduced, and it may be used for values of the parameter R(r 0 /ff) 2 of the parameter F 2 (r 0 /it!) 1/ ' ! less than 12
exceeding 6.

u) = 0J 0323 +
( R\V.
0.316 1.6[K s (r 0 /«) , / , ]- 1 - J 7
[R(r„/«)2]'A
For large values of Y2(ro/R)I/'2 the following empirical formula
By making use of the Blasius formula was deduced from the experiments and holds with sufficient ac-
curacy for values of Y K r J R ) ' / ' greater than 5.3
f, = 0.316R-'/*
1.186
the equation (3) may be expressed in an alternative form
F2
h r /r„VT/..
(5) Eliminating Y from (6) and (8), the equation (8) may be ex-
/. pressed in an alternative form
Resistance F o r m u l a for Turbulent F l o w Deduced From the Logarithmic
The experimental results were plotted
Velocity-Distribution L a w .
p t - 2 . 1 1 log10 [ R ( f ) ^ fcV,~\ ~ 0-23
in Fig. 8 as a function of the nondimensional number Y2{r,JR)^'
where Y is defined by the equation
The empirical formula (9) is also found as follows: According
YHr = R (B/r 0 )'/« (6) to equation (9) the law of friction of a curved pipe should give a
In Fig. 8 the experimental results of the previous investigators
straight line if l/(fe)^' is plotted against logJ0 ^ f'^''
w e r e included for comparison. In t h i B case, too, all the experi-
mental results conform satisfactorily to a single curve for fully de- This was done and, as seen from Fig. 9, where the results of meas-
veloped turbulent flow. The following empirical formula was de- urements were plotted, this feature agrees extremely well with

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 I.o
0,9

<./T
0.7

0.S

0,5

0.4

0.35

O.I
0,25

0.2

0.15 WHITE O o R/r0 4900

® R/r, 2050 o b •> 2250 1 Tfi
0 .. 50 0 C •• 1240 • i
• •» I5.IS 0 d .. 780 • )
0.12 ADLER o e •• 550 ® I
* R/'o 200 o f " 4 13 «I
A •• 100 o g . 2 75 X
OH • »» 50 o h » 221 •
TAYLOR 0 i w 175 o .
0.09 R/r0 96 e 1 •> 143 0 /
0.08 1 1 1 I 1
4 S 2 4
' ,0"

F i g . 7' Friction f a c t o r for t u r b u l e n t flow in c u r v e d pipes as a f u n c t i o n of the n o n d i m e n s i o n a l n u m b e r , R ( r o / R ) 2 : 1 Equation

(2), 2 e q u a t i o n ( 3 ) or ( 5 ) , 3 Blasius' resistance f o r m u l a

I.o
0.9
O.S

W f ,7
0,6

0.5

0.4

0.35

0.5

0,2 5

0.2

015

0,12

II 12 13

Fig. 8 Friction f a c t o r f o r t u r b u l e n t flow in c u r v e d pipes as a f u n c t i o n of t h e n o n d i m e n s i o n a l n u m ber, Y J ( r o / R ) ' / » : 1 Equation ( 7 ) ,

2 e q u a t i o n ( 8 ) or ( 9 )

experiments on curved pipes whose radius ratio is less than 50. Rcrit = 420[R(ro/«) l / ! ]»-« (10)

This equation is rewritten in a more convenient form

The Transition From Laminar to Turbulent Flow
The critical Reynolds numbers obtained in the present investi-
Rerit = 2 ( ^ ) X104 (U)
gation are shown in Fig. 10 together with those obtained by pre-
vious investigators [6, 9, 10, and 22], as a function of the Dean
number at transition point. There seems to be a lower critical This equation gives good agreement with experimental results
Reynolds number for a curved pipe, which starts at about 2.3 X in the range
10® for zero Dean number (straight pipe) and increases as the
15 < R/r0 < 8.6 X 102
critical Dean number increases. The measured results are ap-
proximated by the following empirical equation For R/r0 > 8.6 X 102, the critical Reynolds number for a curved

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 Fig. 9 L o g a r i t h m i c r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of
t h e friction factor for c u r v e d p i p e s .
The straight l i n e , 1, represents e q u a -
tion ( 9 ) , w h i l e steep e x p e r i m e n t a l
curves represent l a m i n a r flow r e g i o n .

i°g,0(R/f(>Tcn

Fig. 1 0 Critical R e y n o l d s n u m b e r
for c u r v e d pipes as a f u n c t i o n of the
critical D e a n n u m b e r : 1 Equation
(11), 2 White's empirical equation
(f c = 0 . 0 3 6 )
O TAYLOR
A AOLER
x KEULEGAN a BEIJ
O UNDISTURBED \ =
• DISTURBED I , T 0

I i i

6 8 IO J i
(R(ro/R)']
CRIT

pipe practically coincides with t h a t f o r a straight pipe. Equation
( 1 1 ) m a y b e used t o estimate a lower critical R e y n o l d s n u m b e r f o r
a c u r v e d pipe.
Acknowledgments
I n c o n c l u d i n g this paper, the author wishes t o express his
t h a n k s t o P r o f . F . N u m a c h i , D i r e c t o r of t h e Institute, f o r his
kind a d v i c e in the course of this w o r k . T h e a u t h o r also wishes
t o a c k n o w l e d g e his indebtness t o M r . K . I m a i , Assistant, who
aided him in the experimental w o r k .
References
1 J. H. Grindley and A. H . Gibson, " O n the Frictional R e -
sistance to the Flow of Air Through a P i p e , " Proceedings of the Royal
Society (London), ser. A , vol. 80, 1908, pp. 114-139.
2 J. Eustice, " F l o w of Water in Curved Pipes," Proceedings of
the Royal Society (London), ser. A, vol. 84, 1910, pp. 107-118.
3 J. Eustice. "Experiments on Stream-Line Motion in Curved
Pipes," Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), ser. A, vol. 85, 1911,
pp. 119-131.
4 W . R . Dean, " N o t e on the M o t i o n of Fluid in a Curved P i p e , "
The London, Edinburgh & Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Jour-
nal of Science, vol. 4, 1927, pp. 208-223.
5 W . R . Dean, " T h e Stream-Line M o t i o n of Fluid in a Curved
Pipe," The London, Edinburgh <£• Dublin Philosophical Magazine and
Journal of Science, vol. 5, 1928, pp. 673-G95.
6 C. M . White, "Streamline F l o w Through Curved Pipes,"
Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), ser. A, vol. 123, 1929, pp.
645-663.
7 K . Tomita, " O n the Flow of Water in Coiled Pipes," Journal of
the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, vol. 35, 1932, pp. 293-304.
8 O. Miyagi, " F l o w in a Curved Pipe and Its Stability," Journal
of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, vol. 35, 1932, pp. 1121-
1124.
9 M . Adler, "Stromung in gekrUmmten R o h r e n , " Zeitschrift fur
angewandte Mathematik und Atechanik, vol. 14, 1934, pp. 257-275.
10 G . H . Keulegan and K . H. Beij, "Pressure Losses for Fluid
Flow in Curved Pipes," Journal of Research, National Bureau of
Standards, vol. 18, 1937, pp. 89-114.

128 / j u n e 1959 Transactions of the AS M E

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 11 F. K i t o , " O n Secondary Vortex Generated in a Bent-Pipe of Subscripts
Elliptical Cross Section," Journal of the Japan Society of Applied
1 = values at the edge of the shedding layer
Mechanics, vol. 3, 1950, pp. 73-75.
12 H . It5, " T h e o r y on Laminar Flows Through Curved Pipes of \p — values in ^-direction
Elliptic and Rectangular Cross Sections," Reports of the Institute of <p = values in ^-direction
High Speed Mechanics, Tohoku University, vol. 1, 1951, pp. 1 - 1 6 .
13 H . G . Cuming, " T h e Secondary Flow in Curved Pipes," A e r o -
nautical Research Council, Reports and Memoranda, N o . 2880, 1955. Asymptotic Expression for Friction Factors Deduced From
14 W . R . Hawthorne, "Secondary Circulation in Fluid F l o w , " the 1/7th-Power Velocity Distribution Law
Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), ser. A , vol. 206, 1951, pp.
374-387. Experimental measurements2 show that, if the curvature is
15 R . W . Detra, " T h e Secondary Flow in Curved Pipes," Mitteil- marked, the distribution of velocity in a pipe is entirely altered
ungen aus dem Instilxit filr Aerodynamik, E.T.H. Zurich, Nr. 20, 1953. by the secondary flow, the greatest axial velocity being near the
16 H . Blasius, " D a s Ahnlichkeitsgesetz bei Riebungsvorgangen in
outside wall; the secondary flow takes place chiefly in a sort of
Fltlssigkeiten," Forschungsheft 131, 1913.
17 L . Prandtl, "Neuere Ergebnisse der Turbulenzforschung," boundary layer in the regions near the walls. This layer is called
Zeitschrift des Vereines Deutscher Ingenieure, vol. 77, 1933, pp. 1 0 5 - shedding layer.3 The thickness of the shedding layer is defined
114. to be equal to the distance from the wall to the point where the
18 J. Nikuradse, "Gesetzmassigkeiten der turbulenten Stromung
peripheral velocity component changes its sense, hence4
in glatten R o h r e n , " Forschungsheft 356, 1932.
19 H . Schlichting, " B o u n d a r y Layer T h e o r y , " Translated b y
J. Kestin, Pergamon Press, London, England, 1955, p. 427. ityi = 0, > 0 for f < 5, v+ < 0 for £> 5 (12)
20 D . T h o m a , " D e r hydraulische Verlust in Form-StUcken,"
T h e Transactions of the T o k y o Sectional Meeting, World Power C o n - The thickness of the shedding layer is assumed to be smal
ference, T o k y o , Japan, 1929, vol. 2, p. 461. compared with the radius of the pipe. Variations of the static
21 Sir Geoffrey Taylor, " T h e Dispersion of Matter in Turbulent pressure within the layer normal to the wall are neglected. It is
Flow Through a P i p e , " Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), ser.
assumed that the fluid is incompressible and that the curvature of
A , vol. 223, 1954, pp. 4 4 6 ^ 6 8 .
22 G . I. Taylor, " T h e Criterion for Turbulence in Curved Pipes," the pipe is small, that is, r0/R is small. The momentum integral
Proceedings of the Royal Society (London), ser. A , vol. 124, 1929, pp. equations for the shedding layer6 are, since = 0,
243-249.
8r
23 G . S. Williams, C. W . Hubbell, and G . H . Fenkell, "Experi-
ments at Detroit, Mich., on the Effect of Curvature Upon the F l o w of
Water in Pipes," Trans. ASCE, vol. 47,1902, pp. 1 - 3 6 9 .
24 J. R . Weske, "Investigations of the Flow in Curved D u c t s at
/
Jo
= — 7>)'„ + p —— Dpi2 sin \p
R

Large Reynolds N u m b e r s , " Journal of Applied Mechanics, vol. 15, - P sin \f/ f V 'A (13)
TRANS. A S M E , vol. 70, 1948, pp. 344-348. Jo
25 H . It5, " O n the Pressure Losses for Turbulent F l o w in Smooth
Pipe Bends," Reports of the Institute of High Speed Mechanics, Tohoku
University, vol. 6,1956, pp. 55-102.
26 H. l t d , " O n the Pressure Loss of Turbulent Flow Through fo ~ 'Vl 4 fo
Curved Pipes," The Memoirs of the Institute of High Speed Mechanics, Sr0
Tohoku University, vol. 7, 1952, pp. 63-76. — T pj'o — ~ (14)
R

where
APPENDIX
An approximate analysis based on the concept of a shedding
c)<p
— i
'» Jo
I r (15)
layer will be presented. The results, although of asymptotic
character for large values of variables, will serve in some respects
changes of the pattern of flow along the axis of the pipe being
for the interpretation of the tests.
disregarded.
T o make use of equations (13) and (14), velocity distributions
Nomenclature are assumed for vv and vj, normal to the wall. On the assumption
that it is sufficiently accurate to take the velocity component v v
The following nomenclature is used in the appendix:
to be proportional to £1/,? throughout the shedding layer, we as-
p = static pressure sume that
r = radial distance from the center of circular cross section
of the pipe ( n y
vv = IV I-J I (16)
ro = radius of circular cross section of pipe
iS = radius of curvature of pipe axis
R = 2vmr0/v, Reynolds number On the other hand, vj, rises from zero at the wall to a positive
v„ = mean axial velocity value, and falls again to zero at the edge of the shedding layer.
tty, tv = velocity components in the shedding layer If, near the wall, it is rising to the value KvvU where K is to be de-
termined later, then near the wall we should put vj, = Kvvl(f/5)1/',;
v* = (r^/p)'^, friction velocity formed with the wall shear-
in order to leave this form near the wall and to make vanish at
ing stress r „
£ = S, we write
S = thickness of shedding layer
fc = friction factor for a curved pipe
v = kinematic viscosity of the fluid v^ = ^ (I)'7' (l - | ) (17)
f = ro — r, distance normal to wall
p = mass density of the fluid Thus, near the wall, the velocity of the fluid is
T„, = shearing stress at pipe wall
7> = components of the wall shearing stress r „ 2Reference [9], p. 274, or reference [23], p. 300.
ip = angle measured in the plane of the curved-pipe axis
3Reference [24], p. 345.
1 Outside the shedding layer, vj, is of order S/ro, compared with the
l// = angle in transverse plane with respect to outward direc- peripheral velocity in the shedding layer.
tion of symmetry line 5 Reference [9], p. 262, or reference [25], p. 59.

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 »= "(f)A (18)
Hence for large values for R(r 0 /Ry we have the asymptotic ex-
pression of the type

(t r -
where v, = Mi + const. (33)
(19) [R(ro/K)2]'/'

The shear stress at the wall can be expressed in terms of the The momentum integral equations (13) and (14) were solved
velocity and distance from the wall as6 numerically for K and 8 prior to the experiments with the assumed
T„ = 0 . 0 2 2 5 p v ' ^ v / t f ' ' (20) velocity profiles (16) and (17) and with the wall shear stresses
(21) and (22). The axial-velocity components Vv in the central
Then with the velocity profile given in (18) and (19) we obtain
core of the fluid were assumed to be
r w = 0.0225py,V'(j'/5) , /< (21)
Vv = A + Br cos \f/ (34)
1 K
and 7> = (22)
(1 + K1)1/' (1 + K1)'/' where A and B are constants, the ratio B/A being determined by
the condition of continuity of the secondary flow. Omitting the
These wall shear stresses and the assumed velocity profiles are details of the calculations, which are available in reference [26],
now substituted into the equations (13) and (14). However, the we have the main results as follows:
asymptotic expression of the type (3) may be readily obtained (a) The friction factor is given by
from an order-of-magnitude consideration without entering into
0.29
the detailed numerical calculation as follows: (35)
Since K is small compared with unity, we have

<V ~ fm. H ~Kv„ (23) The numerical coefficient is slightly different from that in (3) and
the difference may be attributed to somewhat rough and semi-
and 'Tip ^ *>
T ~ KT„ (24)
empirical nature of the calculation.
(6) The theoretical thickness of the shedding layer is com-
where (25)
(T-) pared in Figs. 12 and 13 with measured velocity profiles.7 The
results seem to justify the concept of shedding layer for large
in virtue of (21). Then the order of magnitude of each term in values of R(r 0 /R) 2 .
the equation (13), after division by pvm'r0, is

»^ i i:
Asymptotic Expression for Friction Factors Deduced From
—r^/o
the Logarithmic Velocity Distribution Law
A'R-'/< In this case we assume that, close to the wall
A"2- (i) 1 _ K (36)
,'S
S>0 - . . '0 .
p — «Vi* sill i - lin ip I
p — sin 2<if (26)
Jo ' Reference [9], p. 274, and reference [23], p. 301.

8 r0 8 ro
r„ R ro R

Each term in the equation must be the same order of magnitude

Hence we shall have
K ~ MR)'/' (27)

[-GOT
8 r / r . \ n - ' / »
and — (28)
ro

From (24) and (25) it follows

ws that

_ V'/
- pv (29)

and hence from (15)

dp
(30)
dip

The friction factor of a curved pipe is defined by the equation

/ dp \ 4 r0
fc = - ( (31)
\Rb<pJ pvm1

From (30) it follows that

' R e f e r e n c e [19], p. 405. Fig. 11 S c h e m a t i c p r e s e n t a t i o n of f l o w in c u r v e d pipes

130 / j u n e 1959 Transactions of the AS M E

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 Fig. 1 2 ( a ) A x i a l - v e l o c i t y profile in a c u r v e d p i p e ( A d l e r [ 9 ] ) , a n d the
t h e o r e t i c a l thickness of s h e d d i n g l a y e r , w h e r e R/ro = 5 0 , R = 8 . 5 4 X
10 , and R(m/R)2 = 3.42
3
Fig. 13 D i a g r a m s h o w i n g lines of constant [ a x i a l v e l o c i t y ( S a p h a n d
Schoder [ 2 3 ] ) a n d the t h e o r e t i c a l thickness o f s h e d d i n g l a y e r , w h e r e
R/r0 = 19.2, R = 6 . 5 2 X 104, and R(r0/R)2 = 178

Since A is small compared with unity, we have, from (36), (39),

and (40)
»*> ~ "m, H ~ K"m ( 4 2
)

Tv ~ PVJ/Y>, T+ ~ KpvJ/Y* (43)

8 Y
and (44)
n R

Then the order of magnitude of each term in the equation (13),

after division by pv,„2''o, is

P f = - T >1r (
Jo
K
Y
K2 e r yt
R

+ p ~ vvr sin \j/ - p~ sin \p J * iv 2 d? (45)

Fig. 1 2 ( b ) D i a g r a m s h o w i n g lines of constant a x i a l v e l o c i t y ( A d l e r

[ 9 ] ) , a n d the t h e o r e t i c a l thickness of s h e d d i n g l a y e r [ s a m e as Fig. 1 2 ( a ) ] r0 Y ro Y
R R R R
where
Each term must be the same order of magnitude. Hence we have
fi - v = -Av* log, ^ — ^ (37) K ~ (ro/R)^- (46)
Y3eY ~ R(R/r0)'/* (47)
= tv,(l + A'2)'/' (38)
Now the pressure gradient in the ^-direction is given, from
and .4 is given as about 2.5. Hence (15) and (43), by

1 K dip ?-0 12
7> (39)
T * (1 + (1 + K1)'/'
Hence from (31) it follows that
and r„( = pv*2) is given by fc ~ r~2 (49)
Eliminating Y from (47) and (49) we have the asymptotic ex-
= 4 log, \- B (40)
V* V pression of the type

where .1 has the same value as before, and B is about 5.5. (50)
The component must vanish at £ = 8. However, without
,77, = * ' " * [ » ( ! ) " > ]
further assumption for v t h e asymptotic expression of the type where k, and k2 are constants.
(9) is obtainable directly from the afore-mentioned conditions. An approximate unpublished calculation similar to that given
For brevity we write in the case of the 1 /7th-power velocity distribution, leads to the
Y ~ vm/v* (41) conclusion that

Journal of Basic Engineering JUNE 1 95 9 / 1 3 1

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 kJ = 2.0, k2 = -C.33 (51)
The lIumerical coefficients are slightly different from that in (9),
and t.he difference may again he attributed to somewhat rough
and semiE'mpiricnl nat.urE' of the calculations.

132 / J UHE 1 9.59 Transactions of the AS ME

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