University at Buffalo Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering CIE 361 Civil Engineering Lab I Fall 2013

Lab 7: Fluid Force on a Pipe Bend Objectives The three objectives of this lab are as follows. First, starting with the linear momentum equation, develop an equation for vertical force on a bend as a function of flow rate. Second, conduct an experiment to test this model and conclude whether the model is validated. Third, use the theory to calculate the forces on a reaction block for a full size penstock.

Relevant Standards None

Lab Preparation Before the lab, please: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read this handout, including the appendix. Review your CIE 354 notes and text (A Brief Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, 3rd ed., D.F. Young, B.R. Munson, and T.H. Okiishi. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 2003). Bring your lab notebook. With your group, derive an equation to relate the vertical force on a bend to flow (see Appendix A for help). With your group, develop a set of procedures to test the equation.

The lab will meet in 120 Jarvis.

Procedures Your group will design your own experiments to test the equation relating force on a bend to flow. The laboratory apparatus available to you is shown in Figure 1. The apparatus consists of a valve, digital scale, and hinged tubing of unknown diameter with a 900 degree bend. The pipe rests on the scale. Note that using this apparatus, only the vertical force acting on the bend can be measured. The forces acting in the horizontal direction are directed through the hinge and cannot be measured.

Hinge

Tare weight

Flow meter

Scale

Figure 1: Diagram of the Experimental Apparatus The tare weight is the weight on the scale at zero flow, but with the pipe full of water. As the flow rate increases, the scale reading will decrease. The difference between the tare weight and scale reading can be used to determine the variation of vertical force on the bend as a function of flow rate. You will measure flow with the flow meter. You should collect data at a minimum of eight different flow rates.

Health and Safety Reminders 1. Safety glasses must be worn at all times. 2. Long hair should be tied back. 3. Be aware of the risk of electrical shock from working with water near electrical receptacles.

Group Analysis Prepare a group lab report that includes the following sections: 1. Theory: Starting from the linear momentum equation, develop a general equation for the vertical forces on a pipe bend. Apply these equations to the experimental set up. Include any assumptions. See Appendix A for help. 2. Method: Very briefly describe the experimental methods used by your group. Include the number of measurements. 3. Results: Include a plot of the measured force Fy on the bend as a function of flow rate. Remember to present the results.

Group Writing Assignment Write a very short discussion section. The section should include the following subsections: 1. Comparison of theory and data: Discuss how well the model developed by your group described the data. Include a plot of the measured and predicted force on the bend as a function of flow rate. Use symbols for data and a line for the model predictions and plot the model as a smooth continuous line. Also include a plot of the measured force versus the predicted force. 2. Conclusions: Explain how the model performed. Did the test data agree or did not agree with model prediction. Why? 3. Example Application: Calculate the vertical force on the bend for a penstock at the New York Power Authoritys Niagara Falls hydro power generating plant. The Niagara Falls facility contains twelve penstocks. Each penstock is 18 feet in diameter at the discharge end. The total flow through all 12 penstocks is about 20,000 cfs. Assume each penstock makes a 45 degree bend.

The maximum length for the report is two pages, excluding any figures and tables.

Appendix A: Background
A.1 Introduction When fluid flows around a bend, it exerts a force on the bend as the direction of flow and the momentum of the fluid change. If the flow is large (as in the case of a penstock carrying water for a hydropower plant or a drinking water main), then the forces can be large. A schematic of flow through a bend is shown in Figure A.1. In the figure, water flowing horizontally from left to right before it encounters the bend which directs the flow upwards. The forces exerted by the fluid on the pipe must be resisted by the reaction block (also called a thrust block). The resisting forces are labeled Fh and Fv. Depending on the angle and direction of flow, anchors may be required to prevent the pipe moving.

Q Fy

Fx

Figure A.1: Pipe Bend Example (Q = flow) A.2 Velocity and Flow From Newtons Second Law: sum of forces = ma
(mv) eq. A.1 t where: m = mass, t = time, and v = velocity. Note that mv is the momentum. Appling the Reynolds Transport Theorem to momentum in a control volume (CV) around the bend: dA v dV v v n sum of the forces on the contents on the CV = eq. A.2 t CV CS

 is the unit normal vector directed out of the where: = density, A = area, CS = control surface, and n control surface. For steady flow, the first term on the right-hand side of eq. A.1 is zero. Thus:

sum of the forces on the contents on the CV =

dA v v n
CS

eq. A.3

Evaluation of the integral in eq. A.3 is very easy for the bend in this lab. Both velocity and density are dA evaluates to the projected area independent of A and can be factored out of the integral. The term n
CS

in the horizontal or vertical direction. Recall that flow, Q, is equal to vA. In this lab, you need to find Fv, the force needed to oppose the vertical force. What forces are in the sum of the forces (left-hand side of eqs. A.1 through A.3)? The forces include: force on the bend from moving water, static pressure (force = pressure area), and the weight of the water. In this lab (both the lab and the discussion questions), assume that the static pressure and weight of the water are small compared to the force from the moving water. (In the lab, you account for the weight of the water in the pipe.) Thus, the left-hand side of eqs. A.1 through A.3 is just the force on the bend. Also assume that the water velocity is about the same at the pipe (or penstock) entrance and exit. The following example is downloaded from http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/forces-pipe-bends-d_968.html

Resulting force due to Mass flow and Flow Velocity

The resulting force in x-direction due to mass flow and flow velocity can be expressed as: Fx = m v (1 - cos) = A v2 (1 - cos) (1) (1b) (1c)

= (d / 2)2 v2 (1 - cos) where

Fx = resulting force in x-direction (N) m = mass flow (kg/s) v = flow velocity (m/s) = turning bend angle (degrees) = fluid density (kg/m3) d = internal pipe or bend diameter (m) = 3.14... 5

The resulting force in y-direction due to mass flow and flow velocity can be expressed as: Fy = m v sin = A v2 sin (2) (2b) (2c)

= (d / 2)2 v2 sin

Fy = resulting force in y direction (N) The resulting force on the bend due to force in x- and y-direction can be expressed as: F= (Fx2 + Fy2)1/2 where F= resulting force on the bend (N) Example - Resulting force on a bend due to mass flow and flow velocity The resulting force on a 45o bend with

(3)

diameter 114 mm = 0.114 m water with density 1000 kg/m3 flow velocity 20 m/s

can be calculated by as Resulting force in x-direction: Fx = (1000 kg/m3) ((0.114 m) / 2)2 (20 m/s)2 (1 - cos45) = 1196 (N) Resulting force in y-direction: Fy = (1000 kg/m3) ((0.114 m) / 2)2 (20 m/s)2 sin45 = 2887 (N) Resulting force on the bend F= ((1196 N)2 + (2887 N)2)1/2 = 3125 (N) Note - if is 90o the resulting forces in x- and y-directions are the same.