CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CEP10L HYDRAULICS LABORATORY

1ST SEM AY 2023-2024

LABORATORY REPORT

THREE ORIFICE COEFFICIENTS

SUBMITTED TO:

ENGR. SIDDARTHA VALLE

SUBMITTED BY:

ALDOVINO, SHAUWN CARL M.

BARTOLOME, JHONBERT G.

MENDOZA, RONN JUSTINE

SEDIACO, PATRICIA MAE A.

TAPEL, FAITH ANNE CHRISTELLE M.

CE3-4

NOVEMBER 30,2024

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MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Name Tasks Accomplished

1. ALDOVINO, Shauwn Solved problems, took measurements, and

completed the “Result and Discussion” part of the
lab report.

2. BARTOLOME, Jhonbert Solved problems, took measurements, and

completed the “Introduction” part of the lab report.

3. MENDOZA, Ronn Solved problems, took measurements, and

completed the “Conclusion” part of the lab report.

4. SEDIACO, Patricia Solved problems, took pictures and manage the

timer, and completed the “Theoretical Background”
part of the lab report.

5. TAPEL, Faith Solved problems, took pictures and videos, and

completed the “Materials and Methods” part of the
lab report.

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I. INTRODUCTION

In engineering, the analysis and understanding of fluid flow are essential for the

design and operation of various systems that involve the movement of liquids or gases.

One of the fundamental concepts in fluid dynamics is steady flow, where the fluid's

velocity at any given point remains constant over time. This assumption simplifies the

analysis of fluid behavior, making it a valuable tool in predicting how fluids will move

through different systems, such as pipes, tanks, or channels.

Accurately measuring the flow of fluids is crucial in many engineering

applications, such as in water treatment plants, pipelines, and industrial processes. Flow

measurement techniques allow engineers to monitor system performance, ensure

efficient operation, and regulate fluid transport. Various methods, such as using orifice

plates, Venturi tubes, and flow meters, are employed depending on the type of fluid and

system. Among these, orifices are commonly used in flow measurement. An orifice is a

small hole or opening in a surface through which a fluid passes, causing changes in

velocity and pressure. These changes can then be measured and used to determine the

flow rate.

In this laboratory experiment, we aim to explore the behavior of fluid flow through

an orifice and investigate the key coefficients that describe orifice flow. Specifically, the

objectives of the experiment are: To determine the coefficients of discharge (Cd),

velocity (Cv), and contraction (Cc), which account for real-world flow characteristics such

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as turbulence, friction, and changes in flow area. To estimate the diameter of the orifice

and the velocity of the jet as it exits the orifice, providing a deeper understanding of the

fluid dynamics involved.

By conducting this experiment, we will gain practical insight into how orifice flow

is influenced by these coefficients and how they can be used to predict and control fluid

flow in engineering systems.

II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Theoretical formulas provide a basis for calculating expected values for the

coefficients and parameters associated with orifice flow. These relationships are derived

from fundamental principles of fluid dynamics, particularly Bernoulli’s equation and the

continuity equation. By understanding these equations, we can quantify the behavior of

fluids as they flow through orifices and develop expressions for key flow parameters.

1. Coefficient of Discharge (Cd): The discharge coefficient relates the actual flow rate

through the orifice to the theoretical flow rate. It is defined as:

2. Velocity Coefficient (Cv): The velocity coefficient relates the actual velocity of the

fluid exiting the orifice to the theoretical velocity, given by:

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3. Contraction Coefficient (Cc): The contraction coefficient accounts for the difference

in the cross-sectional area between the orifice and the jet as it exits. It is defined as:

4. Volume: The formula for volume is usually expressed as:

5. Flow Rate: The formula for flow rate is usually expressed as

III. MATERIALS & METHODS

A. Materials

The equipments used are:

 Orifice & Jet Flow Apparatus

 Hydraulic Bend Apparatus

 Beaker

 Phone for documentation and timer)

 Tape Measure

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 B. Methods

Figure 1: Free Body Diagram

The experiment began with setting up the water tank and connecting it to the

orifice plate. The water flow rate was controlled and monitored through a flow-meter,

which allowed us to measure the discharge rate of water through each orifice.

The first step was to measure the height of the water (h) above the orifice, which

was recorded using a water level measurement device. For each orifice, water was

allowed to flow through, and the time taken for a known volume of water to exit the

orifice was recorded using a timer from a phone.

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 The actual discharge rate for each trial was determined by dividing the volume of

water by the time taken. To determine the velocity of the jet, we measured the diameter

of the water jet at a certain distance from the orifice using a tape measure. The

theoretical discharge and velocity were calculated based on the known head height and

the orifice diameter.

For each trial, we repeated the measurements three times to ensure consistency.

After collecting all the data, the discharge coefficient (Cd), velocity coefficient (Cv), and

contraction coefficient (Cc) were computed using the respective formulas.

a. Coefficient of Velocity

The jet strikes a point 0.45 m (45 cm) horizontally from the vena contracta and

0.475 m vertically below the orifice. To get the CV, we use the formula;

By inputting the values, we are able to get the Cv:

CV= 0.9934

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b. Coefficient of Discharge

Three trials were conducted to calculate the coefficient of discharge (CD) by the

actual discharge (Qact) to the theoretical (Qtheo). The actual discharge was calculated

from the measured volume of water over time, while the theoretical discharge was

derived by utilizing the orifice area and theoretical velocity (Vtheo) of the jet.

To get the Qact for each trial, we use the formula:

Trial 1:

Q1=

Trial 2:

Q2:

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Trial 3:

Q3:

By determining the average from the trials we can get the actual discharge.

Consequently, we obtain:

Qact=

The theoretical velocity was calculated from the height of water above the orifice (h)

using:

Where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s^2) and h is the height measured (in

meters).

By inputting the values, we are able to get the Voltheo :

Vtheo = 1.4557 m/s

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The theoretical discharge (Qtheo), was calculated using:

Where Area is the cross-sectional area of the orifice, and Vtheo is the theoretical velocity

of the water.

By inputting the values, we are able to get the Qtheo:

Qtheo =

Finally, we were able to get the coefficient of discharge (CD) using the ratio:

By inputting the values, we are able to get the CD:

CD = 0.7711

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c. Coefficient of Contraction

Lastly, the coefficient of contraction (CC) was calculated using the ratio:

By inputting the values, we are able to get the CC:

CC= 0.7762

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IV. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

Results:

TABLE 1

Measurements of Raw Data

Measurement Measurement

(in/cm) (m)

Diameter of Orifice (Do) 7/8 in 0.022225m

Horizontal Distance of Water Discharge (x) 45cm 0.45m

Vertical Distance of Water Discharge (y) 47.5cm 0.475m

Head of Water in the Tank ( ) 21.3cm 0.213m

Height from the Bottom of Tank to the Center of

10.5cm 0.105m
Orifice ( )

Height from the Water Surface to the Center of

10.8cm 0.108m
Orifice (h)

TABLE 2

Experiment Trials

TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Volume (v) 625mL 550mL 950mL

Time (t) 1.40s 1.20s 2.33s

Discharge/Flow Rate (Q)

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 TABLE 3

RESULT

Coefficient of Discharge (CD) 0.7711

Coefficient of Velocity (CV) 0.9934

Coefficient of Contraction (CC) 0.7762

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Discussion:

The results of our experiment showed some discrepancies between the

theoretical and actual values of the flow rate, jet velocity, and orifice coefficients. These

differences were expected, as practical experiments often involve various factors that

can affect measurement accuracy and fluid flow characteristics.

One of the primary sources of error in our experiment was measurement

inaccuracies. For example, small inconsistencies in determining the jet diameter,

especially due to water splashing, likely introduced errors in calculating the velocity and

discharge coefficient. We found that estimating the y-value was particularly

challenging, as the fluid's irregular behavior at the orifice exit made it difficult to capture

with precision. Additionally, human errors, such as misreading dials or incorrectly

recording data (e.g., decimal point misplacement), could have contributed to further

inaccuracies.

Timing errors also played a role in the discrepancies we observed. Any delays in

starting or stopping the timing of the flow measurements may have caused small but

significant variations in the recorded flow rate, which in turn affected the calculations of

the discharge and velocity coefficients. Since accurate timing is crucial for determining

flow rates, even slight deviations could have led to noticeable errors in our results.

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V. CONCLUSION

In this experiment, our primary objectives were to determine the coefficients of

discharge, velocity, and contraction, as well as to estimate the diameter and velocity of

the jet. By conducting the necessary measurements and calculations, we were able to

determine the discharge coefficient ( ), velocity coefficient ( ), and contraction

coefficient ( ). These coefficients play a critical role in understanding the flow

characteristics of a fluid passing through an orifice, and their accurate determination is

essential for practical applications in fluid systems.

Throughout the experiment, the values of the coefficients showed some variation

between the trials, which can be attributed to several experimental factors. While we

aimed to minimize errors, small inconsistencies in the measurements, such as those in

determining the jet diameter and timing, contributed to the observed discrepancies.

These variations, however, were still within the expected range and aligned with

theoretical predictions, considering real-world conditions such as frictional losses and

potential inaccuracies in the setup.

In addition to calculating the coefficients, we also focused on estimating the

diameter of the jet and its velocity as it exited the orifice. The diameter of the jet was

influenced by the contraction of the flow as it passed through the orifice, with the fluid

experiencing a reduction in cross-sectional area, which is a common phenomenon in

orifice flow. The jet velocity was determined by considering the head pressure and the

theoretical velocity, which was impacted by both the flow characteristics and the

measured coefficients. Although small deviations occurred, our estimated values for both

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the jet diameter and velocity were in reasonable agreement with the theoretical

predictions, further validating our approach.

Overall, we successfully achieved the objectives of the experiment. Through the

determination of the discharge, velocity, and contraction coefficients, as well as the

estimation of the jet diameter and velocity, we gained a deeper understanding of orifice

flow dynamics. These insights are important for designing and analyzing fluid systems in

engineering applications such as pipelines, water treatment facilities, and fluid

measurement devices. Despite the challenges posed by experimental errors, the results

contributed to a broader comprehension of the principles governing fluid flow through

orifices and how they can be applied in real-world situations.

REFERENCES

· White, F. M. (2011). Fluid Mechanics (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

· Streeter, V. L., & Wylie, E. B. (1983). Fluid Mechanics (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

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APPENDIX

MEASUREMENT

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 FIRST TRIAL

SECOND TRIAL

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THIRD TRIAL

COMPUTATION

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