UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEHB221 - FLUIDS MECHANICS LAB

(INFORMAL REPORT)
EXP. TITLE

: Head loss due to sudden enlargement and 90 Tee

GROUP MEMBERS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ID:ME095565
ID:ME096373
ID:ME096347
ID:ME097143
ID:ME097115

NAME: PHUBAALAMITHIRAN LOGANATHAN

NAME: AHMAD AIZUDDIN BIN LABRA
NAME: MUHAMMAD AZIM BIN FATHY
NAME:MUHAMMAD SALLEHUDDIN BIN SAID
NAME:MOHAMED ZULHELMI BIN ASMAN

SECTION

INSTRUCTOR

: ENCIK HASSAN BIN MOHAMED

Performed Date
14/06/2016

GROUP

Due Date*
21/06/2016

Submitted Date
21/06/2016

*Late submission penalty: Late 1 day: 10%, Late 2 days: 20%, Late 3 days: 30%, More than
3 days: 50%
TABLE OF CONTENT
1

PAGE

CONTENT

FRONT COVER

TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT

4-6

THEORY

PROCEDURE

8-11

DATA, OBSERVATION AND RESULT

12

DISCUSSION

13

CONCLUSION

14

REFERENCE

Abstract
Most pipe systems consist of more than straight pipes. The additional components like inlet, outlet
bends valves and etc. add to the overall head loss of the system. Losses can occur because of a
change in pipe diameter. The loss of coefficient for a sudden contraction, K is the function of the
area ratio, (A2/A1).
This is shown in Figure 1.The value of K changes gradually from one extreme of a sharp-edged
entrance to the other extreme of no area change. The loss coefficient for a sudden enlargement is
the function of area ratio of (A1/A2).
As water flows through a pipeline, energy is lost due to friction along pipe walls and flow
separation at fittings. This energy loss is termed head loss. The head loss due to pipe friction is
commonly estimated using the Darcy-Weisbach equation:
(HL= f LV2/2gD)
The required friction factor (f) is obtained from the Moody Diagram as a function of Reynolds
number (Re = VD/) and the roughness of the pipe (or pipe material). The head loss at bends and
fittings, also termed minor losses, are computed as:
HM = K . (V2/2g)
Values of the minor loss coefficient (K) are tabulated for a number of fittings and transitions in text
books.

Theory
Head Loss in Pipe Flows
Pipe flows belong to a broader class of flows, called internal flows, where the fluid is completely
bounded by solid surfaces. In contrast, in external flows, such as flow over a flat plate or an
airplane wing, only part of the flow is bounded by a solid surface. The term pipe flow is generally
used to describe flow through round pipes, ducts, nozzles, sudden expansions and contractions,
valves and other fittings. In this experiment we will limit our study to flow through round pipes
and pipe fittings, such as elbows and valves.
When a gas or a liquid flows through a pipe, there is a loss of pressure in the fluid, because energy
is required to overcome the viscous or frictional forces exerted by the walls of the pipe on the
moving fluid. In addition to the energy lost due to frictional forces, the flow also loses energy (or
pressure) as it goes through fittings, such as valves, elbows, contractions and expansions. This loss
in pressure is mainly due to the fact that flow separates locally as it moves through such fittings.
The pressure loss in pipe flows is commonly referred to as head loss. The frictional losses are
referred to as major losses (hl) while losses through fittings, etc, are called minor losses (hlm).
Together they make up the total head losses (hlT) for pipe flows. Hence:
hlT = hl +hlm

(1)

Head losses in pipe flows can be calculated by using a special form of the energy equation
discussed in the next section.
Energy Equation for Pipe Flows
Consider steady, incompressible flow through a piping system. The energy equation between points
1 and 2 for this flow can be written as:

P1
P2

V12
V22

1
gz1
2
gz 2 hlT
2
2

(2)

In the above equation, the terms in the parenthesis represent the mechanical energy per unit mass at
a particular cross-section in the pipe. Hence, the difference between the mechanical energy at two
locations, i.e. the total head loss, is a result of the conversion of mechanical energy to thermal
energy due to frictional effects.
The significant parameters in equation 2 are described below:
z, is the elevation of the cross section, taken to be positive upwards.
is called the kinetic energy factor. For laminar flow = 2, for turbulent flow = 1.
Flow in a pipe is considered laminar if Reynolds number, ReD < 2000, where ReD = V/.
V is the average velocity at a cross section.
hlT, as discussed earlier, is the total head loss between cross-sections 1 and 2. Details of calculating
the head loss are discussed in the next section.
An examination of equation 2 reveals that for a fixed amount of mechanical energy available at
station 1, a higher head loss will lead to lower mechanical energy at station 2. The lower
mechanical energy can be manifested as a lower pressure, lower velocity (i.e. lower volumetric
flow rate), a lower elevation or any combination of all three. It should also be noted that for flow
without losses, hlT = 0 and the energy equation reduces to Bernoullis Equation.
Calculation of Head Loss
Major Losses
The major head loss in pipe flows is given by equation 3.
L V2
hl f
D 2
(3)
where L and D are the length and diameter of the pipe, respectively, V is the average fluid velocity
through the pipe and f is the friction factor for the section of the pipe. In general, the friction factor
is a function of the Reynolds number and the non-dimensional surface roughness, e/D. The friction
factor is determined experimentally and is usually published in graphical form as a function of
Reynolds number and surface roughness. The friction factor plot, shown in Fig. 1,(attached) is
usually referred to as the Moody Plot, after L. F. Moody who first published this data in this form.
When the Reynolds number is below 2000 and the flow can be assumed to be laminar, the
friction factor is only a function of the Reynolds number and is given as:
64
f la min ar
Re D
(4)
Minor Losses

The minor head losses which for some cases, such as short pipes with multiple fittings, are actually
a large percentage of the total head loss - hence, not really minor - can be expressed as:
V2
hlm K
2g
(5)
where K is the Loss Coefficient and must be determined experimentally for each situation. Another
common way to express minor head loss is in terms of frictional (major) head loss through an
equivalent length, Le, of a straight pipe. In this form, the minor head loss is written as:

hlm f

Le V 2
D 2g

(6)

Loss coefficients, K and equivalent lengths can be found in a variety of handbooks; representative
data for limited fittings is available in most undergraduate Fluid Mechanics texts.
The calculation of head loss for flow through a pipe with known conditions is generally carried out
as follows. If the fluid velocity and the pipe diameter are known, the Reynolds number can be
calculated. The Reynolds number and the pipe roughness are used to determine the friction factor, f,
from the Moody plot using the appropriate curve. Once, the friction factor is known, the major
head loss can be calculated from equation 3. The head loss can then be used to determine the
pressure drop between two sections from equation 2. A reliable estimate of the pressure loss is
critical for determining the hardware requirements, e.g. pump size, for a specific task.

Conversely, if the head loss, i.e. the pressure drop due to frictional losses, is measured then the
friction factor, f, can be calculated using the energy equation. This is the case in the present
experiment; the pressure drop is measured for a range of flow rates corresponding to different
Reynolds number, hence the friction factor can be calculated as a function of Reynolds number.
These values can then be compared to the standard Moody chart.

PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Open fully the flow control valve and inlet isolating valve.
7
Make sure the gate valve and globe valve are closed.
Switch on the main switch for hydraulic bench and digital pressure indicator.
Open fully the outlet control valve.
Measure the diameter of the sudden enlargement pipe by using Vernier calliper.
Open the isolating valve for the sudden enlargement.

7. Insert the digital manometer tubes into the tapping valve of the sudden enlargement.
8. Switch on the pump of hydraulic bench.
9. Let the water flow through the system for a while.
10. Note down the reading in the differential pressure indicator.
11. Close the drain, use a stopwatch to time a certain amount of water flowing into the
measuring tank and calculate the flow rate.
12. One it is done, open the drain and let the water flow into the sump tank.
13. Change the flow rate of water by adjusting outlet control valve to get different differential
pressure reading with different of 500.
14. Again, take the differential pressure reading and measure the flow rate.
15. Switch off the pump and shut the isolating valve for test the sudden enlargement.
16. Insert the digital manometer tubes into the tapping valve of the 90 degree tee fitting. Choose
the inlet and outlet at the top of the T shape.
17. Measure the diameter of the 90 degree tee fitting.
18. Open the gate valve and the globe valve.
19. Repeat the above procedures for 90 degree tee fitting from step 7 to step 11.
20. Change the flow rate of water by adjusting outlet control valve to get different differential
pressure reading with different of 30.
21. Take the differential pressure reading and measure the flow rate.
22. Obtain at least six readings.
23. Switch off the pump and shut the isolating valve for test the 90 degree tee fitting.

DATA, OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

8

TABLE 1: PIPE FITTING OF SUDDEN ENLARGEMENT

DIAMETER INLET = 10.40mm
DIAMETER OUTLET= 37.54mm
Volume
V

Tim
e

Flow
Rate

Velocity
u

Velocity
Head

Theo.
Head

Exp.
Hea

Exp.
Hea

Percentag
e Error

K
Theo.

K Exp.
(gradien

Percentage
Error of

(L)

t
(s)

10

17

10

18

10

19

10

20

10

24

10

28

Q
(x
10
m/s)

(m/s)

h
(m
HO)

h
(m
HO)

5.882
4
5.555
6
5.263
2
5.000
0
4.166
7
3.571
4

6.9247

2.4440

6.5399

2.1799

6.1957

1.9565

5.8859

1.7657

4.9049

1.2262

4.2042

0.9009

2.083
3
1.858
1
1.667
7
1.505
1
1.045
2
0.767
9

d
Loss
h
(mm
H0)
3992

d
Loss
h
(m
H0)
3.992

Head Loss
(%)

91.6

3479

3.479

87.2

2989

2.989

79.2

2497

2.497

65.9

1951

1.951

86.7

1414

1.414

84.1

t
of the
graph)
0.852
4

1.6267

K(%)

90.8

TABLE 2: PIPE FITTING OF 90 TEE

DIAMETER = 37.20mm
Volume
V
(L)

Tim
e
t
(s)

10

10

10

10

Flow
Rate
Q
(x
10
m/s)

Velocity
u
(m/s)

Velocity
Head
h
(m
HO)

Theo.
Head
h
(m
HO)

11.1111

1.0223

0.0533

0.9200

0.0431

11

10.000
0
9.0909

0.8364

0.0357

10

11

9.0909

0.8364

0.0357

10

12

8.3333

0.7667

0.0299

10

15

6.6667

0.6134

0.0192

0.106
6
0.086
2
0.071
4
0.071
4
0.059
8
0.038
4

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:

Exp.
Hea
d
Loss
h
(mm
H0)
240

Exp.
Hea
d
Loss
h
(m
H0)
0.240

Percentag
e Error
Head Loss
(%)

K
Theo.

K Exp.
(gradien
t
of the
graph)

Percentage
Error of
K(%)

125.1

2.0

0.1925

100

209

0.209

142.5

179

0.179

150.7

147

0.147

105.9

115

0.115

92.3

85

0.085

121.4

1. General formula to calculate Flow Rate, Q:

Q=
Sample: Q = = 5.8824 x 10 m/s
2. General formula to calculate Area, A:
A=
Sample: A = = 8.4949 x 10 m
3. General formula to calculate Velocity, u:
u=
Sample: u = = 6.9247 m/s
4. General formula to calculate Velocity Head, hv:
h =

; g = 9.81 m/s (acceleration due to gravity)

Sample: h = = 2.4440 m
5. General formula to calculate Theoretical Head Loss, h:
htheo = K hv
Sample: htheo = 0.8524 x 2.4440 = 2.0833m

6. General formula to calculate Theoretical Loss Coefficient, K theo:

K theo for 90 Tee is obtained from the data in Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
book.
Sample: Ktheo = 2.0
K theo (Sudden Enlargement)10= (
Diameter inlet, d1 = 10.40mm
Diameter outlet, d2 = 37.54mm
Sample: Ktheo(Sudden Enlargement) = ( = 0.8524

7. General formula to calculate Percentage Error:

Percentage Error of Head Loss, h(%) = || x 100%
Percentage Error of Loss Coeficient, K(%) = || x 100%
Sample: Percentage Error of Head Loss = || x 100% =91.6 %
Percentage Error of Loss Coefficient, K = || x 100% = 90.8%

Graph 1: Graph of Head Loss vs Velocity Head for Sudden Enlargement Fitting
4.5
4
3.5

f(x) = 1.63x - 0.12

R = 0.98

3
2.5

Head Loss (m H0)

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0.8

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Velocity Head (m H0)

11

2.2

2.4

2.6

Graph 2: Graph of Head Loss vs Velocity Head for 90 Tee Pipe Fitting
0.06
0.05

f(x) = 0.19x + 0
R = 0.94

0.04

Head Loss (m H0)

0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

Velocity Head (m H0)

DISCUSSION

12

0.2

0.22

0.24

0.26

CONCLUSION
As conclusion, different type of pipe fittings gives different value of head loss. There are two types.
First is major and the second is minor. Sudden enlargement is the example of major and 90 Degree
tee fitting is example for the minor. The value of head loss is different. From the experiment, head
loss for the 90 Degree tee fitting is 3992 mmHO and for the 90 Degree tee fitting is 240 mmHO.
When the liquid flow changes direction, there is resistance. This means that the liquid tries to
continue moving in the same direction. When the liquid encounters a change in direction for
example in 90 Degree tee fitting, its momentum carries the flow. Because the liquid trying to flow
around the outer edge of the fitting, the effective area of the fitting is reduced. Thus, the velocity of
the liquid will increase and the head loss due to friction increases. For the sudden enlargement, the
velocity is 0.00058824 m3/s and for 90 Degree tee fitting is 0.001111 m3/s. To improve this
experiment, make sure that the manometer tubes is tapped tightly to the valve to get more accurate
value. Others, make sure the different in the right range so that the reading is more accurate.
13

References
1. https://www.scribd.com/doc/83663840/Head-Loss-Due-to-Pipe-Fitting
2.
http://www.eng.fsu.edu/~alvi/EML4304L/webpage/experiment_5.htm#Theoreti
cal

14