INTRODUCTION

Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are guided
and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the students to
solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly introduced
and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder task
of open-ended laboratory activities. In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the
usage of the pipe friction apparatus to investigate the head loss caused by friction associated
with the flow of water through different types of pipes.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the test is:
To investigate the head loss caused by pipe friction associated with
the flow of water through different types of pipes.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
For water flowing through a circular pipe, the head loss due to the friction
can be calculated using Darcy-Weisbach equation.
4 2
=
2
Or

=
2
Where
L = length of pipe between tappings (m) = 1m for all pipes
d = internal diameter of the pipe (m)
u = mean velocity of water through the pipe (/)
g = 9.81 (acceleration due to gravity,/ 2 )
f = pipe friction coefficient [ (British) 4f = (American) ]
The value of Reynolds number Re can be calculated using this equation:

=

Where (assume temperature = 20C)
= dynamic viscosity = 1.002 103 /.
= density = 998 /3
PROBLEM STATEMENT
As the water flow through pipes, friction loss is generated due to viscous effects
generated by the surface of the pipe. It is considered as a major loss when designing a piping
or sewerage system. Miscalculation of friction loss might result into problems related to water
pressure. As a group, you are given the pipe friction apparatus to determine the head loss caused
by different types of pipes. The group must carry out the test following the procedures outlined
and subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

APPARATUS
1. Pipe friction apparatus
2. Hydraulics bench
3. Measuring cylinder
4. Stop watch
5. Vernier caliper

Figure 8.1. Pipe Friction Apparatus

PROCEDURES
1. Measured the internal diameter of each test pipe.
2. Opened the bench valve to prime the pipe network with water.
3. Opened and closed the appropriate valves to obtain flow through the required test
pipe.
4. Measured the volumetric flow rates using the volumetric tank. This can be achieved
by closing the ball valve and measured (with a stopwatch) the time taken to
accumulate a known volume of water in the tank, which can be read from the sight
glass. Collect the water for at least one minute to minimize timing errors.
5. Measured the head loss between the tapping by referring to the pressure water
manometer.
6. Get enough data points on different flow rates and head loss for the different types of
pipes.
 DATA ACQUISITION

Volume Pipe
Time Discharge Velocity Head loss Friction coefficient, f Friction coefficient, f Reynolds
No of water Diameter Log u Log h
(sec) (m3 /s) u (m/s) (mH2 O) (calculated) (from moody chart) number, Re
(L) (m)

1 5 5.57 0.00089 0.032 1.107 0.028 0.003589 0.019 35 282.60 0.044 1.447

2 5 6.67 0.00075 0.032 0.933 0.250 0.045078 0.0185 29 736.81 -0.030 2.398

3 5 6.07 0.00082 0.017 3.613 0.06 0.00038 0.0058 61 175.81 0.558 1.778

4 5 4.00 0.00125 0.017 5.507 1.760 0.00484 0.0060 93 245.27 0.741 3.246

5 5 8.68 0.00058 0.010 7.385 7.420 0.0067 0.0058 73 555.20 0.868 3.870
Sample calculation:
5 103
, =
5.57
= 0.00089 3 /

0.00089
, =
(0.032)2
4
= 1.107 /

=

(998)(1.107)(0.032)
=
1.002 103
= 35 282.60

42
=
2
4(1)(1.107)2
0.028 =
2(9.81)(0.032)
= 0.003589

Graph Head loss versus Discharge

Head Loss versus Discharge

8

5
Head Loss

0
0.00089 0.00075 0.00082 0.00125 0.00058
-1
Discharge
DISCUSSION
Weirs are typically installed in open channels such as streams to determine discharge
(flow rate). The discharge is directly related to the water depth (h) known as the head. Time
also recorded when 1m3 is completely oscillate. These data then used to find which is
flow rate. the equation to find flow rate, , is

= /.

Where,

Next, is calculated with equation

3
= 1.705 2

Where,

With and are calculated, Discharge coefficient can be calculated with equation

It was found that as the magnitude of the flow rate increased, so did the discharge
coefficient. This may have been due to the shape of the weir which had a rectangular control
section. Since the height of the water increased with increased flow, more friction loosed may
have occurred.

Experimental data showed that Cd increased with increasing flow rate. It was found that
as the magnitude of the flow rate increased, so did the velocity coefficient. Experimental data
showed that Cd increased with increasing flow rate.

For precaution, student should aware for observational error such as parallax error. The
error occurs when students failed to reading the vernier scale and tank properly. Next,
theoretical error can be occurred when students failed to calibrated instrument such as flow
rate, stopwatch and others. Last possible error is, theoretical error. This type of error occurs
due to simplication of the model or approximates in equation describing it.
CONCLUSION
From the experiment that we have done on 11 October 2017, we can conclude that the
head loss caused by pipe friction associated with the flow of water through different types of
pipes are different from one another because the discharge is different.
For No 1 (45o elbow), we get 0.00089 m3 /s for discharge and 0.028 head loss. No 2
(90o bend), we get 0.00075 m3 /s for discharge and 0.250 head loss. No 3 (17mm smooth bore
pipe), we get 0.00082 m3 /s for discharge and 0.06 head loss. No 4 (17mm artificial
roughened pipe), we get 0.00125 m3 /s for discharge and 1.76 head loss. No 5 (10mm smooth
bore pipe), we get 0.00089 m3 /s for discharge and 7.420 head loss.
The data shows that when the discharge is low, the head loss will be increase.
APPENDIX