Hydraulic Diameter and Head Loss Analysis
Uploaded by
Sifatullah SameemHydraulic Diameter and Head Loss Analysis
Uploaded by
Sifatullah SameemQuestion 1: Hydraulic Radius & Diameter
a) Definitions
1. Hydraulic Radius (Rh):
o Definition: The ratio of the cross-sectional area of flow to the wetted perimeter.
o Formula:
Rh=A/P
Where:
A: Cross-sectional area of the flow.
P: Wetted perimeter.
2. Hydraulic Diameter (Dh):
o Definition: A characteristic length used for non-circular ducts, defined as four
times the hydraulic radius.
o Formula:
Dh=4A/P
b) Comparison between Circular Pipe and Rectangular Duct
Hydraulic Radius for Circular Pipe:
Cross-sectional area:
A=πD2/4
Wetted perimeter:
P=πD
Hydraulic radius:
Rh=P/A=πD2/4/πD=D/4
Hydraulic Radius for Rectangular Duct:
Cross-sectional area:
A=a×b
Wetted perimeter:
P=2(a+b)
Hydraulic radius:
Rh=P/A=2(a+b)/a×b
Which has a larger Rh?
For the same cross-sectional area, a circular pipe has a smaller wetted perimeter
compared to a rectangular duct, leading to a larger Rh for the circular pipe.
Justification: Circular shapes naturally minimize the wetted perimeter for a given area,
optimizing hydraulic efficiency.
Question 2: Head Loss in Pipes
a) Major Head Loss vs. Minor Head Loss
1. Major Head Loss:
o Caused by friction along the length of a pipe.
o Example: Pressure loss in a long, straight pipeline due to viscous effects.
o Formula:
o hf=fLv2/2gD
2. Minor Head Loss:
o Caused by fittings, bends, valves, or sudden changes in pipe geometry.
o Example: Pressure loss at an elbow or a sudden contraction.
o Formula:
o hm=Kv2/2g
Where K is a loss coefficient.
b) Validity of Darcy-Weisbach Equation
The Darcy-Weisbach equation:
hf=fLv2/2gD
is valid for both laminar and turbulent flows because:
o The friction factor fff is determined differently for laminar and turbulent regimes.
o For laminar flow, f=64/Re, while for turbulent flow, f depends on the relative
roughness and Reynolds number.
Question 3: Pipe Roughness & Moody’s Chart
a) Relative Roughness
Definition: The ratio of the roughness of the pipe’s inner surface to its diameter.
Formula:
e/D
Where:
oe: Absolute roughness (m).
oD: Pipe diameter (m).
Effect on Friction Factor (f):
o Higher relative roughness increases friction factor, leading to greater head loss.
o For turbulent flow, f is strongly influenced by e/D
b) Zones in Moody’s Chart
1. Laminar Zone (Re<2000):
o f is inversely proportional to Re (f=64/Re)
o Independent of e/D
2. Transitional Zone (2000<Re<4000):
o f varies irregularly as flow shifts from laminar to turbulent.
3. Turbulent Smooth Zone (Low e/D):
o f depends on Re , not e/D.
4. Turbulent Rough Zone (High e/D):
o f is independent of Re and depends only on e/D.
Question 4: Practical Applications
a) Equivalent Sand-Grain Roughness (e)
Used to represent the roughness of commercial pipes as an equivalent uniform roughness.
Importance: Simplifies calculations by standardizing roughness for different materials.
b) Pipe Materials
1. Low Roughness:
o Materials: PVC, copper.
o Usage: Water supply systems, HVAC systems.
2. High Roughness:
o Materials: Cast iron, concrete.
o Usage: Sewer systems, stormwater drains.
Question 5: Hydraulic Radius & Reynolds Number
Given Data:
Channel width (b) = 1.5 m
Channel depth (h) = 0.8 m
Velocity (v) = 2 m/s
Kinematic viscosity (ν) = 1×10−6 m2/s1 \times 10-6m2/s
a) Hydraulic Radius (Rh)
Cross-sectional area:
A=b×h=1.5×0.8=1.2 m2
Wetted perimeter:
P=b+2h=1.5+2(0.8)=3.1 m
Hydraulic radius:
Rh=AP=1.2*3.1=0.387 m
b) Reynolds Number (Re)
Formula:
Re= V⋅Rh/ v
Substituting values:
Re=2*0.3871/10−6=774,000
Flow Classification
