Lesson 4:

Dynamic Pressure (Hazen-Williams Formula)

Objective
In this lesson we will learn and study the details involved with dynamic pressure existing as moving energy - and friction loss inside of pipes. We will discuss the
relationships between the pressure and friction loss.

Reading Assignment
Read the online lecture as well as the supplemental material found here.

Lecture
Introduction
Water will flow downhill - with no problems - but there is friction between the water
and the inside surface of the pipe. If the inside of the pipe is extremely rough - then
there is more friction loss between the water and the pipe. Friction loss in a pipe
depends upon the velocity or rate of flow and the size of the pipe (diameter), the
length of the pipe, and the roughness of the inside surface of the pipe. The degree of
pipe roughness is called the C - Factor - which is a coefficient in the Hazen Williams Formula for determining the flow. Conversely, the flow rate (quantity)
varies with friction. For most pipe materials C ranges from 90 - 140. A high C value
implies less friction.
As stated in the objective and the previous Lesson #3, dynamic pressure is "moving
energy", while static pressure exists when the water flow is still or not flowing. Water
flow in a pipe is dependent upon how slick the surface of the pipe is, called friction
loss - C factor. Pressure in a water system must be at least 20 psi for residential use.
Head or friction loss for 100 ft. lengths of pipe of various sizes for a C factor of 100
are given in the following tables. One table is for valves and fittings, one is for types
of pipe, and one is the Hazen - Williams tables for C factors , which can be found in
most all water manuals.
An example of this concept is - The head loss that would occur through 100 ft. of a 2
in. pipe, for a flow of 100 gpm is found to be, under the "US gpm" column to be 100,

then moving across the "loss in ft. column for a 2 inch pipe = head loss of 35.8. Then
multiply 35.8 0.433 = 15.5 psi.
Then, if the pressure in the main where a 2 in. tap is made is 50 psi, the pressure 100
ft. away (for example, where a home service tap is to be located) is approximately
34.5 psi. (50psi - 15.5 psi = 34.5 ) when the flow through the service line is 100 gpm.
The friction loss would be twice as much if the pipe was 200 ft. and 10 times as much
for a 1000 ft. length of pipe, - IF - the average flow rate is maintained at 100 gpm.
When a pipe has a C factor other than 100, it is possible to adjust back to a C factor of
100 by multiplying the flow by 100/C, and then go to the table when you have a
newly computed flow value. Using the same example from above, if the C factor was
125 not 100, then the new flow rate would be 100 100/125 = 80 gpm. Then go to
the 80 gpm column on the table for a 2 in. pipe, = a loss of 23.2 ft. Thus, the smoother
pipe, saves 12.6 ft. of head , per each 100 ft. of pipe used. 35.8 -23.2 = 12.6 .
Also, while discussing flow, we should mention Fire Hydrants , and the rate of flow =
color.
Required to be installed on a 6 in.line at a minimum.
RED = 0 ---------500 gpm
ORANGE = 500-----1000 gpm
GREEN = 1000 ------ 1500 gpm
BLUE = 1500 ------GREATER gpm
Allowance in Equivalent Length of Pipe for
Friction Loss inValves and Threaded Fittings
(C = 140)
Diameter
of fitting,
inches

90 std.ell,
feet

45 std.ell, 90 side tee, Coupling or straight run

feet
feet
of tee, feet

Gate
valve,
feet

Globe
valve,
feet

Angle
valve,
feet

3/8

0.6

1.5

0.3

0.2

1/2

1.2

0.6

0.4

15

3/4

2.5

1.5

0.8

0.5

20

12

1.8

0.9

0.6

25

15

1 1/4

2.4

1.2

0.8

35

18

1 1/2

1.5

1.0

45

22

10

1.3

55

28

2 1/2

12

2.5

1.6

65

34

10

15

80

40

3 1/2

12

18

3.6

2.4

100

50

14

21

4.0

2.7

125

55

17

10

25

3.3

140

70

20

12

30

165

80

*C = 140; to set C = 120, divide by 1.32

The following formula is used for Laminar Flow: (does not create turbulence)
Use this formula to determine the pressure drop after adding the length of pipe and
equivalent length of pipe due to the fittings:
Pipe friction losses should be determined on the basis of Hazen and Williams
formula:

Where: Q = Flow
C = Roughness
d = Diameter
L = Length
When using a Graphing Calculator, here are the steps in solving an equation with the
Hazen-Williams formula:
Pipe friction loss (P) can be determined by doing the following calculations:
1. First punch in 4.52 on the calculator, then the parenthesis, ( , sign, substitute Q for
whatever the flow is in your equation, hit the yx key (this will allow you to add in your
superscript) then key in 1.85 and hit the other parenthesis, ).
2. Next hit the divided by sign, and key in a parenthesis, ( , replace the C factor with the
roughness coefficient in your equation. Hit the yx key and key in 1.85 and the other
parenthesis, ). Then key in a parenthesis again, ( , and replace the dfactor with the
diameter coefficient in your equation, hit the yx key again and punch in 4.87 and the
other parenthesis, ).
3. Hit the equals sign. When you get an answer, hit the multiply key and replace
the L factor with the Length coefficient in your equation.

This should give you the correct friction loss using the Hazen-Williams formula.
Pressure and Flow: (relationship in fixed system)

Flow and Roughness:

Flow:

*Below are the C Values to use in the Hazen-Williams formula:

Average C Values for Certain Types of Pipe
Type of Pipe
Uncoated cast iron: smooth and new
Coated cast iron: smooth and new
30 years old
Trend 1: slight attack
Trend 2: moderate attack
Trend 3: appreciable attack
Trend 4: severe attack
60 years old
Trend 1: slight attack
Trend 2: moderate attack
Trend 3: appreciable attack
Trend 4: severe attack
100 years old
Trend 1: slight attack
Trend 2: moderate attack
Trend 3: appreciable attack
Trend 4: severe attack
Miscellaneous
Newly scraped mains
Newly brushed mains
Coated spun iron: smooth and new
Old: take as coated cast iron of same age
Galvanized iron: smooth and new

Average C Value
125.3
133.3
106
90
69
49.7 96.3
77.7
57.7
39
88.3
69.7
48.7
30

115.3
103
93
127.3

Wrought iron: smooth and new

136

Coated steel: smooth and new

136

Uncoated steel: smooth and new

Black Iron (NFPA)

140.3
120

Coated asbestos-cement: clean

132

Uncoated asbestos-cement: clean

95.7

Spun cement-lined and spun bitumen-lined: clean

98.7

Smooth pipe (including lead, brass, copper, polythene, and smooth PVC): clean

145.3

PVC wavy: clean

140.3

Concrete: Scobey
Class 1: CS = 0.27; clean

49.3
65.7

Class 2: CS = 0.31; clean

Class 3: CS = 0.345; clean
Class 4: CS = 0.37; clean
Best: CS = 0.40; clean

75
82
87.3

Tate relined pipes: clean

75

The velocity pressure should be determined on the basis of:

Steel Pipe
Schedule Numbers
(1) a - b - c

Wall Thick Inches

Inside Diameter
Inches

Pipe Weight
lbs/foot

3/4
1.050

40 - Std - 40S

0.113

0.824

1.13

1
1.315

40 - Std - 40S

0.133

1.049

1.67

1 1/4
1.660

40 - Std - 40S

0.140

1.380

2.27

1 1/2
1.900

40 - Std - 40S

0.145

1.610

2.71

2
2.375

40 - Std - 40S

0.154

2.067

3.65

2 1/2
2.875

40 - Std - 40S

0.203

2.469

5.8

3
3.500

40 - Std - 40S

0.2161

3.068

7.6

3 1/2
4.000

40 - Std - 40S

0.226

3.548

9.1

4
4.500

40 - Std - 40S

0.237

4.026

11

5
5.563

40 - Std - 40S

0.258

5.047

15

6
6.625

40 - Std - 40S

0.280

6.065

19

8
8.625

40 - Std - 40S

0.322

7.981

29

10
10.750

40 - Std - 40S

0.365

10.020

40

12
12.750

40 - Std - 40S

0.406

11.938

54

Nominal Size & OD Inches

Pressure Loss Through

Backflow Protection
Devices

Equivalent Feet Length (C

= 120)
(Conservative) Not good
for Turbulent Flow
Rated flow

Double check a,b

Avg. NFPA
C = 120

Reduced pressure
zone
C = 140

3/4

30

---

20

50

10'

25.2

1 1/4

75

14'

32.4

1 1/2

100

18'

35.2

160

22'

44.8

2 1/2

225

28'

51.2

320

32'

57.0

500

44'

61.6

Size

Note a. ASSE 1015

Note b. ASSE 1024
Note c. ASSE 1013
Standards come from the NFPA (C = 120)
C = 140; to get C = 120, divide by 1.3

Review
In this lesson we discussed the different relationships between the sizes of pipes, the
interior surface of the pipe, and the rate of flow. We learned how to use the chart for
the C Factors, or the Hazen - Williams Formula Table, these numbers do vary for the
sizes and types of pipe and the fittings in the system. Each of these factors is
important when calculating the flow within a system, and each of these factors must
be taken into account when doing these types of calculations. We also discussed the
color relationship of fire hydrants vs the flow within the fire hydrant.

Sources
Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook - AWWA
Operator's Companion - USA BlueBook
Operator Certification Study Guide - AWWA

Assignments
Answer the following questions and either mail or fax to the instructor.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The resistance to the flow of water in a pipe is called ________________.

Does friction loss increase or decrease with velocity?
The C Factor of a water pipe is ________________.
Static suction head + friction suction head + static discharge head + friction discharge
head make up the _________________ of a pump.

Quiz
Answer the questions in Quiz 4 . When you have completed the quiz, print it out and
either mail or fax to the instructor. You may also take the quiz online and directly
submit it into the database for a grade.