L D College of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department

PRACTICAL NO: 8
AIM: : To find out (1) Loss coefficient for given elbow, bend, and Sudden Contraction.

(2) Compare theoretical and actual loss for sudden expansion.

Introduction:

While installing a pipeline for conveying a fluid, it is generally not possible to install a long
pipeline of same size all over and straight for various reasons, like space restrictions,
aesthetics, location of outlet etc. Hence the pipe size varies and it changes its direction.
Also, various fittings are required to be used. All these variation of sizes and the fitting
cause the loss of fluid head.

The apparatus is designed to demonstrate the loss of head due to following fittings.

1] Pipe bend (large bend)

2] Pipe elbow (small bend)

3] Sudden Expansion of the flow.

4] Sudden contraction of the flow.

The set up consists of 15 mm basic piping, in which the above fittings are installed. A
pressure tapping is provided at inlet and outlet of each fitting, with bypass valve at pump
discharge to control the flow of water.

SPECIFICATIONS:

1] Basic piping of 15 mm size.

2] 19 mm small bend – 1 no.

3] 14 mm large bend- 1no.

4] Sudden expansion from  16 mm to  27.5 mm.

5] Sudden contraction from  27.5 mm to  16 mm.

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator
 L D College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

6] 1/2 hp centrifugal pump to circulate the water through the Piping.

7] Multiple tapping differential manometers.

8] Sump tank of suitable capacity.

9] Measuring tank-300 mm X 300 mm X 300 mm height.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE –

1] Fill up sufficient clean water in the sump tank.

2] Fill up mercury in the manometer.

3] Connect the electric supply. See that the flow control valve and bypass valve are fully
open and all the manometer cocks are closed. Keep the water collecting funnel in the sump
tank side.

4] Start the pump and adjust the flow rate. Now, slowly open the manometer tapping
connection of small bend. Open both the cocks simultaneously.

5] Open air vent cocks. Remove air bubbles and slowly & simultaneously close the cocks.
Note down the manometer reading and flow rate.

6] Close the cocks and similarly, note down the reading for other fittings.

Repeat the procedure for different flow rates.

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator
 L D College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

OBSERVATIONS:-

Sr. Fitting’s Name Manometer difference Time for 10 lits. of

No. water
Cm. of Hg
t, sec. for flow rate

1 Elbow

2 Bend

3 Sudden Contraction

4 Sudden Expansion

1 Elbow

2 Bend

3 Sudden Contraction

4 Sudden Expansion

Use similar table for other fittings.

CALCULATIONS:

1] ELBOW –

In elbow, there is no change in the magnitude of velocity of water, but there is change in the
direction of water, hence head loss exists.

Diameter of the elbow, d= 19 mm = 0.019 m.

For elbow, mean area, A = (  / 4) d2 = 2.83 X 10-4 m2

Mean velocity of flow, V = Q/A m/s.

where, Q =0.01/time required for 10 lit. , m 3/sec.

Actual head loss, hexpt = Manometer diff. (m) X 12.6, m

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator
 L D College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

hexp t
Loss Coefficient, K
V 2 
 
 2g 

2] PIPE BEND –

Similar to elbow, loss of head at bend is due to change in the direction of water. But unlike
the elbow, change of direction is not abrupt, hence loss of head is less as compared to
elbow.

Diameter of bend, d = 14 mm = 0.014 m

For bend, mean area, A = (  / 4) d2 = 1.54 X 10 -4 m2

Mean velocity of flow, V = Q / A m / sec.

where, Q = 0.01 / time required for 10 lit. m3 /sec.

Actual head loss, hexpt = Manometer diff. (m) x 12.6, m

hexp t
Loss coefficient, K 
V 2 
 
 2g 

3 ] SUDDEN CONTRACTION

At sudden contraction velocity of water increases which causes pressure head to drop
(according to Bernoulli’s theorem), in addition to this there is loss of head due to sudden
contraction. Hence,

Manometer reading = (Head drop due to increment of velocity)

(Head loss due to sudden contraction.)

Assuming no loss to be there due to contraction and applying Bernoulli’s theorem at inlet
and outlet of the section,

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator
 L D College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

2 2
Pi Vi P V
  0  o
g 2 g g 2 g

2 2
Pi P V V
 0  o  i  hv
g g 2 g 2 g

Where, hv = Drop of head due to velocity increment

Inlet size =  27.5 mm = 0.0275 m.  Ai = 5.94 x 10-4 m2

Outlet size =  16 mm = 0.016 m.  Ao = 2.01 x 10-4 m2

Vi = Q / Ai m / s.

Vo = Q /Ao m /s

Where, Q = discharge, m3 / s.

Q = (0.01) / time required for 10 lit. m3 / sec.

Ai and Ao = Inlet and area respectively, m2

Actual drop, hc = [(manometer reading x 12.6) – head drop due to velocity rise]

Loss of head due to sudden contraction

hc = h - hv, m

hc
Loss coefficient, K  2
Vo / 2 g

Actually, value of K depends upon inside diameter curvature radius, turbulence surface
roughness and many other factors. Hence, it is better to determine the value of K
experimentally.

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator
 L D College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

4 ] SUDDEN EXPANSION –

At sudden expansion of flow, pressure increases due to reduction in velocity, but there is
pressure drop due to sudden expansion also.

Hence, at sudden expansion one gets rise of pressure lesser then that predicted
theoretically.

Assuming no loss of head and applying Bernoulli’s equation at inlet and outlet, Similar
to equation used for sudden contraction,

Rise of pressure, V2i Vo2

hv = ------- - -------
2. g 2.g

Loss of head due to sudden expansion,

Actual, he =hv - (Manometer reading (m) x 12.6)

Theoretical, he = (Vi – Vo )2 / 2g.

PRECAUTIONS –

1] Open both the manometer cocks slowly and simultaneously,

otherwise the mercury will run away from the manometer.

2] Operate the valves gently. Do not force to rotate them.

3] Always use clean water for the experiment.

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator
 L D College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

Quiz :

1. What is meant by energy losses in pipe? Explain major losses and minor losses in a pipe.

2. State Darcy-Weisbach equation for head loss due to friction.

3. What are the factors influencing the frictional losses in pipe flow?

4. What is compound pipe or pipe in series?

5. Give an expression for loss of head due to sudden enlargement, sudden contraction, at
the entrance of pipe.

Fluid Mechanics (2141906)

Prof N K Patel: Course Coordinator