Experiment 02

Objective
To investigate the loss of head in pipe using bends and fittings friction apparatus

Experimental Setup
The equipment measures the pressure drops at various flow rates when water flow through
different pipe bends, and fittings. It is used with Hydraulic Bench. All bends and fittings are
connected in series with pressure tapping on both sides of each device. A water manometer with
a vent valve and a hand air pump is connected to these tapings. A valve at the outlet is used to
control outlet pressure.

Fig. 1 Bends and Fittings Apparatus

Theory:
Pipe:
A pipe is a versatile term that refers to a hollow tube used for transporting fluids in plumbing,
smoking devices for tobacco, or musical instruments like flutes. In computing, a pipe is a symbol
(`|`) that connects the output of one command to the input of another in Unix-like systems. It also
refers to data streams between processes in programming. In construction, pipes serve structural
or fluid transport purposes, and in programming, they enable function chaining where the output
of one function becomes the input for another.

Head loss in Pipe:

Head loss in a pipe refers to the reduction in the energy or pressure of a fluid as it flows through
a pipe due to friction and other resistances. It is an important concept in fluid dynamics,
particularly in the design of piping systems for efficient fluid transport. There are two main types
of head loss:

1. Frictional head loss: Caused by the friction between the fluid and the internal surface of the
pipe. The roughness of the pipe material and the velocity of the fluid play key roles here.

2. Minor head loss: Occurs due to fittings, bends, valves, and other disturbances in the flow path.

Head loss is usually calculated using empirical formulas like the Darcy-Weisbach equation or
Hazen-Williams equation, depending on the fluid and flow conditions. The greater the head loss,
the more energy is required to maintain fluid flow through the pipe.

Darcy’s Formula:
Darcy's formula, also known as the Darcy-Weisbach equation, is used to calculate the head loss
due to friction in a pipe. It relates the head loss to the length, diameter, flow velocity, and friction
factor of the pipe.

The formula is:

Sudden Enlargement:

Sudden enlargement in fluid dynamics refers to an abrupt increase in the cross-sectional area of a
pipe, which causes changes in the velocity and pressure of the flowing fluid. This phenomenon
results in energy loss due to the turbulence and eddies created as the fluid adjusts to the larger
pipe size. The energy loss associated with sudden enlargement is called expansion head loss or
enlargement loss.

The head loss due to sudden enlargement is calculated using the formula:

Sudden Contraction:

Sudden contraction in fluid dynamics refers to an abrupt decrease in the cross-sectional area of a
pipe, leading to a change in fluid velocity and pressure. When fluid flows from a larger pipe to a
smaller one, the velocity increases, and energy is lost due to the turbulence and eddies formed at
the point of contraction. This energy loss is known as contraction head loss.

The head loss due to sudden contraction can be approximated using:

Kc= loss coefficient for sudden contraction (dimensionless), typically determined from empirical
charts based on the area ratio.

Inlet Head Loss:

At the pipe inlet, there is typically a loss due to the fluid entering the pipe, especially if the
entrance is not smooth (e.g., a sharp-edged entrance). The head loss due to the inlet can be
calculated using:

Outlet Head Loss:

For a pipe outlet the fluid experiences head loss depending on the conditions at the outlet (e.g.,
discharging into the atmosphere, into another pipe, or a tank). The outlet head loss can be
estimated similarly:
Experimental Procedure
1. Put the test set on the hydraulic bench, adjust leveling screws and connect water supply to
the bench outlet
2. Make sure system should be free of all air bubbles
3. Open the test set flow control valve, Open the bench valve and gate valve. Close the air
connector valve
4. Start the equipment. Connect the hose to air connector valve and open the air valve
5. Close the flow control valve and air connector. Switch of the system
6. Remove the hose, slowly open the air valve until height of manometer is achieved about
100-200mm. Close the air valve
7. Check that manometer height should be same before starting the experiment
8. Slowly open the flow control valve, take reading of manometer height
9. For flow rate use stop watch when it reaches a known volume, stop the stopwatch get the
reading
10. Drain the water and repeat experiment by increasing flow through flow control valve.
Observations and Calculations
Test 01 Test 02 Test 03 Test 04 Test 05
Measuring
Hydraulic

Volume
Bench

Measuring Time
Flow Rate
h1
Manometer Readings

h2
h3
h4
h5
h6
h7
h8
h12
Head Loss across

h23
h34
Fittings

h45
h56
h67
h78

Specimen Calculations

Conclusion
 Rubrics

Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Fair (2) Poor (1) score

Instruments and Instruments and

Technical Some misuse or Instruments or
tools are used tools are mostly
Soundness / inefficiency in tools are misused
appropriately and used
performance instrument usage or ineffective
effectively appropriately

Data is
comprehensive, Data is mostly Data is
relevant, and comprehensive, incomplete,
Data is somewhat
accurately relevant, and irrelevant, or
Data Collection comprehensive
recorded. Data is accurately inaccurately
and and relevant.
effectively recorded. Data is recorded. Data
Presentation Data presentation
presented using mostly presentation
is adequate
appropriate effectively lacks clarity or
tables, graphs, presented coherence
and visuals
Analysis
demonstrates - Analysis
deep demonstrates
Analysis
understanding of understanding of Analysis lacks
addresses some
the data and the data and depth or
relevant aspects.
addresses all addresses most relevance.
Data Analysis Conclusions are
relevant aspects. relevant aspects. Conclusions are
somewhat
Conclusions Conclusions illogical or not
supported and
drawn are drawn are mostly supported by data
logical
logical, well- logical and
supported, and supported
aligned with data
CLO_1: To measure & analyze different unknowns i.e. velocity, Head, using Flow meters.

Scoring Guide:
 4: Excellent - Exceeds expectations; demonstrates exceptional proficiency and mastery.
 3: Good - Meets expectations; demonstrates solid understanding and competency.
 2: Fair - Partially meets expectations; some areas need improvement or refinement.
 1: Poor - Does not meet expectations; significant deficiencies or lack of understanding.