FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING
: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafar
Bin Sudin

Programme(s):
Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering
(DME)
Course Title:

Date

: 20 August 2014

Version

: R1-2012

Fluid Mechanics 2

Course Code: EE 2253

Student Name
Student ID

Laborator
y
: Logendran a/l Mohan

: FM Lab (S106)

: 00010479

LABSHEET
FRICTION LOSSES IN BENDS AND ELBOWS

Notes:
(1) On-the-spot evaluation may be carried out during or at the end of the experiment.
(2) Students are advised to read through this lab sheet before doing the experiment.
(3) Your performance, teamwork effort, and learning attitude will count towards the
marks.

Lab Sheet - EE 2253

1.0

TITLE
FRICTION LOSSES IN BENDS AND ELBOWS.

2.0

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the head loss due to friction across bends and elbow.
3.0

INTRODUCTION

Whenever the direction of the flow is change at a bend or elbows the velocity distribution
across the pipe is disturbed. A centrifugal effect causes the maximum velocity to occur
towards the outside of the bend or elbow whilst at the inside of the bend or elbow the
flow is slowed or even reversed in direction if the flow separates from the wall and a
vena-contracta formed. A secondary flow is set up at right angles to the pipe cross
section which increases the velocity gradient and hence the shear stress of the wall.
4.0

THEORY / FORMULAE

The Figure below illustrates the flow pattern.

C
B

B
C

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Section A-A
Normal velocity distribution

Section B-B and Section C-C

The loss of head is related to the velocity head by defining a bend loss coefficientKb so
that

hb K b

V2
2g

Value of Kb are related to the pipe friction f or f by a constant which is dependent on the
ratio of bend radius to the pipe diameter R/D. This constant may also be treated as an
equivalent length of straight pipe expressed as diameters by using the Darcy Weisbach
equation

hb K b

V 2 4 fLe V 2

2g
D
2g

hence,

Kb

4 fLe
D

hb K b
OR

OR

V 2 fLe V 2

2g
D 2g

Kb

fLe
D

For single 90 bends and elbow the bend resistance coefficient Kb and the equivalent
length Le are typically:
R/D
Le
Kb

Elbow
30D
120f

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1
20D
80f

1.5
14D
56f

2
12D
48f

4
14D
56f

6
17D
68f

8
24D
96f

10
30D
120f

12
34D
136f

14
38D
158f

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Lab Sheet - EE 2253

Kb

30f

20f

14f

12f

14f

17f

24f

30f

34f

38f

NOTE THAT:

K b Le

f' D
Which suggests a significant advantagein the use of f in comparison with using f for the
pipework design.
Figure 2 P6221 c) and d) are refered.

5.0

APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT PREPARATION

Inlet:

Initially P6103 Constant Head Inlet Tank with over flow pipe extension
fitted but replace later by P6105 Feedblock.

Test Section: P6221 Test section with four bends

P6221 Test section with four elbows
Outlet:

P6104 VariableHead Outlet Tank.

Manometer Initially use two of the single manometer tubes. When using the
feedback change to the water on mercury manometer.
6.0

EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE
a. Start the pump and establish a water flow through the test section. Raise the
swivel tube of the outlet tank so that it is close to the vertical. Adjust the
bench regulating valve (or pump speed) to provide a small overflow from the
inlet tank and overflow pipe. Ensure that any air bubbles are bled from the
manometer tubes.
b. Set up a series of flow conditions with differential heads starting at 25 mm in
step of 25 mm up to 150 mm and thereafter in steps of 50 mm up to a
maximum of 500 mm. At each condition carefully measure the flow rate
using volumetric tank and a stop watch.

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Lab Sheet - EE 2253

c. Stop the water flow, allows the rest unit to drain and replace the inlet tank
with the feedback. Connect the test section pressure tapping to the water
mercury manometer. Establish a water flow and bleed the manometer.
d. Set up a series of flow conditions with differential heads in steps of 25 mm of
mercury. At each condition measure the volumetric flow rate.
e. Repeat the procedure for the other test section.
7.0

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Record the results on a copy of the result sheet for Friction Losses in
Bends and Elbows.
Determine the water density and viscosity from Annex 1 of part 1 of the
manual.
Calculate the velocity and hence the velocity head for each result.
From the results for the 10 mm pipe in experiment 2, or by analysis,
calculate the head loss hp for a 540 mm straight length of tube of the
same diameter as the test section. If using results from the experiment 2
then correct the results for the difference in length of the two test

P L

sections

v.

vi.

and any difference in the diameter of the two test

D5 .

sections
Calculate the head loss due to a single bend by subtracting the head loss
for a straight length of test section 540 mm long from the measured
head loss for the test section with four bends and divide the result by
four.
Express this head loss per bend as a coefficient Kb by dividing by the
velocity head. Compare the result with that predicted from the empirical
results given in the above paragraph for the appropriate ratio of R/D.

Formula

Time
Volume of water collected
Volume flow rate , Q=
collect water (m3 / sec)

Mean Velocity , V =

Voleme flow rate Q

= 2 (m/ sec)
Area
r

Velocity Head ,V =

Mean Velocity V
= (m/sec)
2g
2g

Friction Head Loss , hf =Inlet head , h1outlet head , h 2(mm)

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Lab Sheet - EE 2253

Pipe Friction Loss , h p =f

Reynolds, Re =

Le
D

V2
2g

( )( )

(Velocity)(Diameter ) VD
=
specific volume

( )

V
2g
Loss Coefficient ( Bends), k b=56 f
Friction Loss for Fitting , hb =k b

Loss Coefficient (Bends) , k b=120 f

RESULT SHEET FOR FRICTION LOSSES IN BENDS AND ELBOWS

Experiment Number:

Water temperature:

Experiment Title:

Test Section Diameter:

Type of pipe
Head difference
(mm)
Quantity of water
collected (liter)
Time to collect
water, t (s)
Volume flow rate,
Q (m3/s)
Mean Velocity, V
(m/s)
Velocity head
(V2/2g) (m/s)
Inlet head, h1 (mm)
Outlet head, h2
(mm)
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1.12 106 cP

Viscosity:

Date:
Bend

11.11105

540 mm

Elbow

10
3L (0.003
m3)
27

1000 km/m3

Density:

Test Conditions:

24

40
3L (0.003
m 3)
56

10
3L (0.003
m 3)
48

5.36 105

6.25 105

40
3L (0.003
m 3)
95

3.16 105

1.41

0.6837

0.795

0.402

0.102

0.0237

0.041

0.0083

31.5

46

38

43.5

11

34.5

39.5

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Friction head loss,
hf (mm)
Pipe friction loss,
hp
Friction loss for
fitting, hb
Loss Coefficient
Kb

20.5

11.5

32

0.159

0.046

0.061

0.019

0.165

0.048

0.1722

0.042

1.624

2.016

4.20

5.04

10mm Bore Test Section with Bends

m
(3 / sec)
0.003
Volume flow rate , Q=
=11.11 105
27
11.11105
Mean Velocity , V =
=1.41(m/ sec)
(0.005)2
Velocity Head ,V =

1.41472
=0.102(m/sec)
2(9.81)

Friction Head Loss , hf =31.511=20.5(mm)

Reynolds, Re =

(1.41)(0.01)
=12589.3
1.12106

Friction Factor, f by using Moodys Chart = 0.029

Length = 540mm = 0.54m
2
0.54
1.41
Pipe Friction Loss , h p =0.029
=0.159
0.01 2(9.81)

( )(

Friction Loss for Fitting , hb =56 ( 0.029 )

1.41
=0.165
2 ( 9.81 )

Loss Coefficient , k b=56 ( 0.029 )=1.624

40 mm Bore Test Section with Bends

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Lab Sheet - EE 2253

m
( 3 /sec)
0.003
Volume flow rate , Q=
=5.36 105
56
5.36 105
Mean Velocity , V =
=0.6837( m/sec)
(0.005)2
Velocity Head ,V =

0.68372
=0.0237(m/ sec)
2(9.81)

Friction Head Loss , hf =4634.5=11.5( mm)

Reynolds , Re =

(0.6837)(0.01)
=6104.46
1.12 106

Friction Factor, f by using Moodys Chart = 0.036

Length = 540mm = 0.54m
2
0.54 0.6837
Pipe Friction Loss , h p =0.036
=0.0463
0.01 2(9.81)

( )(

0.68372
Friction Loss for Fitting , hb =56 ( 0.036 )
=0.048
2 ( 9.81 )
Loss Coefficient , k b=56 ( 0.036 )=2.016

10mm Bore Test Section with Elbows

m
( 3 /sec)
0.003
Volume flow rate , Q=
=6.25 105
48
Mean Velocity , V =

6.25 105
=0.795(m/ sec)
(0.005)2

0.7952
Velocity Head ,V =
=0.041(m/sec)
2(9.81)
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Lab Sheet - EE 2253

Friction Head Loss , hf =386=32( mm)

Reynolds, Re =

(0.795)(0.01)
=7098.21
1.12 106

Friction Factor, f by using Moodys Chart = 0.035

Length = 540mm = 0.54m
0.54 0.7952
Pipe Friction Loss , h p =0.035
=0.061
0.01 2( 9.81)

( )(

Friction Loss for Fitting , hb =120 ( 0.035 )

0.795
=0.1722
2 ( 9.81 )

Loss Coefficient , k b=120 ( 0.035 )=4.20

40 mm Bore Test Section with Elbows

m
( 3 / sec )
0.003
5
Volume flow rate , Q=
=3.16 10
95
5

Mean Velocity , V =

3.16 10
=0.402(m/ sec)
2
(0.005)
2

0.402
Velocity Head ,V =
=0.0083(m/sec)
2(9.81)
Friction Head Loss , hf =43.539.5=4 (mm)
Reynolds, Re =

(0.402)(0.01)
=3589.29
1.12 106

Friction Factor, f by using Moodys Chart = 0.042

Length = 540mm = 0.54m
0.54 0.4022
Pipe Friction Loss , h p =0.042
=0.019
0.01 2( 9.81)

( )(

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Lab Sheet - EE 2253

Friction Loss for Fitting , hb =120 ( 0.042 )

0.402
=0.042
2 ( 9.81 )

Loss Coefficient , k b=120 ( 0.042 ) =5.04

8.0

OBSEVATIONS

8.0

DISCUSSION
This examination has couple of things difference from the first lab (laminar and
Turbulence stream). The primary differentiation is the test range pipe that using
bens and elbows to supplant straight pipe in the first lab to figure the head disaster.
Pipe Friction Loss, h_p , Loss Coefficient, k_b and Friction Loss for Fitting, k_b
comparison is differ from the first lab for figuring purposes. Turning section of the
bends is smoother than elbows provoked the smaller granulating head disaster.. As
the crushing head disaster is addition in the meantime with the time to assemble
water, association will subject to pick the channel of turns.

9.0

CONCLUSION
Through this investigation, by examining the head misfortune because of
rubbing crosswise over elbows and twists, unmistakably see about the contrasts in
the middle of elbows and curves. Kind of channel will prompt the time expended to
gather 3L of water. In addition, Different kind of direct will have differentiates in
contact head setback. At last, technique must be appreciate and take after before
test start, and the scrutinizing level must record accurately with a particular final
objective to complete up the result unequivocally.

10.0 REFERENCES
1. Munson B. R., Okiishi T. H., Huebsch W. W. (2013) 7 th Edition. Fluid Mechanics.
John Wiley, Singapore.
2. Dr. R. K. Bansal. (2012). A textbook of Fluid Mechanics. Laxmi Publications (P)
Ltd. New Delhi, India.
3. J. M. Cimbala and Y. A. Cengel. (2008). Essentials of Fluid Mechanics,
Fundamentals and Applications. McGraw-Hill International Edition. Singapore.
4. Dr. R. K. Bansal. (2012), A Textbook of Fluid Mechanics, LAXMI PUBLICATION (P)
LTD, New Delhi.
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Assessment Scheme
Markin
g
Schem
e

Assessme
nt
Componen
ts

Lab Experiment(10% Total)

Description

Percenta
ge
(%)

Hands-on
and Lab
Activities

Students will be assessed on their hands-on

knowledge of process design and to
describe how variations in design
parameters influence the deliverables.

2%

Viva Voce

Students will be assessed orally, on-thespot through a short viva voce session.

1%

Lab Report

After the completion of the design

laboratory, anindividualreport should be
submitted by the student. The quality of the
report is as important as the quality of the
design. One must sell the design by
justifying the design verifications and
providing all requiredvital information, while
eliminating unnecessary materials.
Organisation, conciseness, and
completeness are of paramount
importance.

7%

The following information must be included

in the report:
(a) Report cover-sheet must include:
Name,ID, Group, Date ofSubmission.
(b) Introduction
(c) Objective
(d) Theory
(e) Apparatus
(f) Procedure / Methodology
(g) Calculation
(h) Results/Tables/Graphs
(i) Discussion
(j) Conclusion
(k) References
All materials used must be cited in the
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report. Citations and reference list
should follow the Harvard Referencing
System.Examples
at:http://iskillzone.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPage
s/RenderConstellation.aspx?
Context=10&Area=8&Room=25&Conste
llation=39#

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