BMS College of Engineering

Dept. Of Mechanical Engineering

Self Study
Fluid Mechanics
(15ME3DCFME)
Student Name: Mahesh Tom
USN: 1BM14ME073
III Semester, Section:B
November 2, 2015

LOSSES DUE SUDDEN EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION

Introduction
It is often necessary to determine the head loss, hL, that occur in a pipe flow so that the energy equation,
can be used in the analysis of pipe flow problems. The overall head loss for the pipe system consists of the
head loss due to viscous effects in the straight pipes, termed the major loss and denoted hL-major. The head
loss in various pipe components, termed the minor loss and denoted hL-minor. That is:
hL = hLmajor + hLminor
The head loss designations of major and minor do not necessarily reflect the relative importance of each
type of loss. For a pipe system that contains many components and a relatively short length of pipe, the
minor loss may actually be larger than the major loss.
For any type of system there are additional so-called minor losses due to
Sudden Expansion
Sudden Contraction
Inlets and Exits
Valves
Bends and other fittings
These components interrupt the smooth flow of the fluid and cause additional losses because of the flow
separation and mixing they induce. In a typical system with long pipes, these losses are minor compared to
the total head loss in the pipes (the major losses) and are called minor losses

LOSS COEFFICIENT
The most common method used to determine these head losses or pressure drops is to specify the loss
p
hLminor
= 1 2
coefficient, which is defined as KL =
V 2 /2g
2 V
The actual value of is strongly dependent on the geometry of the component considered. It may also be
dependent on the fluid properties. That is,
KL = (geometry, Re)
where
Re =

V D

is the pipe Reynolds number. For many practical applications the Reynolds number is large enough so
that the flow through the component is dominated by inertia effects, with viscous effects being of secondary
importance. This is true because of the relatively large accelerations and decelerations experienced by the
fluid as it flows along a rather curved, variable area 1perhaps even torturous2 path through the component
1see Fig. 8.212. In a flow that is dominated by inertia effects rather than viscous effects, it is usually found
that pressure drops and head losses correlate directly with the dynamic pressure. This is the reason why
the friction factor for very large Reynolds number, fully developed pipe flow is independent of the Reynolds
number. The same condition is found to be true for flow through pipe components. Thus, in most cases of
practical interest the loss coefficients for components are a function of geometry only.

LOSS DUE TO SUDDEN EXPANSION

Consider a fluid which is entering a section 1 of a pipe having area of A1 and let us analyse the fluid upto a
cross sectional area A2 at some distance L from A1 .The fluid is flowing due to a pressure gradient existing
between A1 and A2 Let the pressure at A1 be p1 and the pressure at A2 be p2 .The velocity at section 1 is v1
and at 2 is v2 .
2

expansion graph.png
Figure 1: Loss co-efficient for sudden expansion

contraction graph.png
Figure 2: Loss co-efficient for sudden contraction

Figure 3: Loss due to sudden expansion

Now,at the point where the fluid undergoes sudden expansion, the fluid particles near the wall, due to their
low kinetic energy cannot overcome the adverse pressure hill in the direction of flow and hence follow up the
reverse path under the favourable pressure gradient.This further results in a loss of mechanical energy.This
sets up another pressure at thies point .Let us call this p0 .
Due to the vigorous mixing caused by the turbulence, the velocity again becomes uniform at a far downstream section 2
Applying Bernoullis equation at 1 and 2
1
1
p1 + V12 + gz1 = p2 + V22 + gz2 + he
2
2
where z1 and z1 are the heights of the sections 1 and 2 respetively.Since both are equal in this case they
cancel out . Note that if we were discussing about an inviscid fluid the term he would not exist.Since this is
a viscous flow this form of Bernoullis equation holds good.
Rearranging the above equation and equating to he we get
he =

p1 p2
V 2 V22
+ 1
(1)
g
2g
3

Consider a control volume of liquid between sections 1 and 2. Resolving the forces acting on the liquid inside
the control volume, we get
Fx = p1 A1 p2 A2 + p0 (A2 A1 )(2)
wher p is pressure of the liquid eddies in the area A2 A1 .
Experimentally it is known that p=p1 .
Hence
Fx = (p1 p2 )A2 (3)
Momentum of liquid/sec at section 1 = A1 V12
Momentum of liquid/sec at section 1 = A2 V22
From continuity equation
A1 V1 = A2 V2 (4)
Change of momentum of liquid/sec
= A2 V22 A1 V12 = A2 (V22 V1 V2 )(5)
(after substituting (4) in change in momentum equation) Now from Newtons Second Law,
F =

dp
dt

Net force=Rate of change of momentum or

(p1 p2 )A2 = A2 (V22 V1 V2 )
Dividing By
(

p1 p2
) = (V22 V1 V2 )

Dividing By g
(
or

Substituting this value of

p1 p2
V 2 V1 V2
)=( 2
)
g
g

p1
p2
V 2 V1 V2

=( 2
)(6)
g g
g
p1
p2

in equation (1) we get

g g
he = (

or
he =

V22 V1 V2
V2
V2
)+ 1 2
g
2g
2g

2V22 2V1 V2 + V12 V22

V 2 + V22 2V1 V2
= 1
2g
2g

Thus
he =

(V1 V2 )2
2g

LOSS DUE TO SUDDEN CONTRACTION

Consider a viscous fluid flow throw a pipe between 2 sections section 1-1 and section 2-2.The section 1-1 has
area A1 and the section 2-2 has area A2 .The fluid is flowing across a pressure gradient.Let the pressure at
A1 be p1 and the pressure at A2 be p2 and
For The fluid to enter the section 2-2 after contracting,it is necessary that the fluid pass through a
vena contracta or the location where the streamlines flow through the least area. An abrupt contraction is
geometrically the reverse of an abrupt enlargement.Here also the streamlines cannot follow the abrupt change
of geometry and hence gradually converge from an upstream section of the larger tube.
However, immediately downstream of the junction of area contraction, the cross-sectional area of the
stream tube becomes the minimum and less than that of the smaller pipe. This section of the stream tube
4

Figure 4: Loss due to sudden contraction

is known as vena contracta, after which the stream widens again to fill the pipe. The velocity of flow in the
converging part of the stream tube from Sec. 1-1 to Sec. c-c (vena contracta) increases due to continuity and
the pressure decreases in the direction of flow accordingly in compliance with the Bernoullis theorem.
In an accelerating flow,under a favourable pressure gradient, losses due to separation cannot take place.
But in the decelerating part of the flow from Sec. c-c to Sec. 2-2, where the stream tube expands to fill the
pipe, losses take place in the similar fashion as occur in case of a sudden geometrical enlargement. Hence
eddies are formed between the vena contracta c-c and the downstream Sec. 2-2.
The flow pattern after the vena contracta is similar to that after an abrupt enlargement, and the loss of
head is thus confined between Sec. c-c to Sec. 2-2. Therefore, we can say that the losses due to contraction
is not for the contraction itself, but due to the expansion followed by the contraction. Let the area of cross
section at the vena contracta be Ac and velocities of the water at sections 1-1 2-2 and c-c be V1 , V2 and Vc
rspectively.
If we consider sections c-c and 2-2 and if we apply continuity equation we get
Ac Vc = A2 V2 (1)
This implies
A2
1
Vc
=
=
V2
Ac
Cc
Cc is a new term and is called the coefficient of contraction.
Head loss due to expansion from section c-c to 2-2
V2 1
V2
(Vc2 V22 )
= 2(
1)2 = k 2
2g
2g Cc
2g
where
k=(

1
1)2
Cc

The value of k varies from0.5 to 0.7

PROBLEMS
Problem 1
Water flows at a rate of 0.04m3 /sec in a 0.12-m-diameter pipe that contains a sudden contraction to a 0.06m-diameter pipe. Determine the pressure drop across the contraction section. How much of this pressure
difference is due to losses and how much is due to kinetic energy changes

1.png
Figure 5: Problem 1
Given data:
D1 = 0.12m
D2 = 0.06m
Q = 0.04m3 /sec
where Q is the flow rate
1
1
V2
p1 + V12 + gz1 = p2 + V22 + gz2 + KL 2 ..(1)
2
2
2g
where
z1 = z2
and
V1 =

Q
0.04m3 /s
m
=
= 3.54
2
A1
s
4 (0.12m)

V2 =

Q
0.04m3 /s
m
=
= 14.1
2
A2
s
4 (0.06m)

and
A2
=
A1

D2
D1

2


=

0.06
0.12

2
= 0.25

from graph when the ratios of area is 0.25 then KL = 0.4 Hence from equation 1 we have
p1 p2 =

 1


1 
KL V22 + V22 V12 = 999kg/m3 0.4(14.1m/s)2 + (14.1m/s)2 (3.54m/s)2
2
2

or

N
N
+ 93.0 103 2 = 133kP a
2
m
m
This represents a 39.7 Kpa drop losses and a 93 kPa drop due to increase in Kinetic energy
p1 p2 = 39.7 103

2.png
Figure 6: Problem 2

Problem 2
At a sudden enlargement of water main from 240mm to 480mm diameter,the hydraulic gradient rises by
10mm.Calculate the rate of flow.
Given
D1 = 240mm
D2 = 480mm
Note: The Rise of Hydraulic gradient refers to the difference

 

p1
p2
+ z1
+ z2 = 10mm = 0.01m
g
g
The term Hydraulic gradient refers to


p
+z
g

Applying Bernoullis equation at section 1 and 2

1
1
p1 + V12 + gz1 = p2 + V22 + gz2 + he ....(1)
2
2
Here he is the loss due to sudden expansion and
he =

(V1 V2 )2
....(2)
2g

From continuity equation we have

A1 V1 = A2 V2
2

2
D
A2 V 2
4 2 V = D2
V1 =
=
V2
2
A1
D1
D12
4

2
0.48
V1 =
V2 = 4V2
0.24
substituting in (2) we get
he =

(4V2 V2 )2
9V 2
= 2
2g
2g

substituting the value of he and V1 in (1)

p1
(4V2 )2
p2
(V2 )2
9V 2
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2 + 2
g
2g
g
2g
2g
7

Rearranging the terms

V2
9V 2
16V22
2 2 =
2g
2g
2g

p1
+ z1
g

p2
+ z2
g

6V22
= 0.01
2g
or
V2 = 0.181m/s
therefore the rate of flow
Q = A2 V 2 =

0.482 0.181 = 0.03275m3 /s

4

(Answer)

Problem 3
In an 80mm diameter pipeline oil of specific gravity 0.8 is flowing at the rate of 6.0125m3 /s.A sudden
expansion takes place in a such diameter that maximum pressure rise is obtained. Find:
Loss of energy in sudden contraction
Differential gauge length indicated by an oil-mercury manometer connected between the two pipes

3.png
Figure 7: Problem 3
Given: Diameter of small pipe D1 = 80mm = 0.08m
Diameter of larger pipe is D2
Specific gravity of oil ,S = 0.8
Discharge Q = 0.0125m3 /s
Loss of energy in sudden contraction
Velocity of flow
V1 =

0.0125
Q
=
= 2.49m/s
2
Area
4 0.08

The pressure rise will be maximum when

D1
1
=
D2
2

D2 = 2D1 = 2 0.08 = 0.1131m

0.0125
V2 =
= 1.244m/s

0.11312
4
Loss of energy in sudden expansion
he =

(2.49 1.244)2
(V1 V2 )2
=
= 0.029m
2g
2 9.81

(of oil)
p1
(V1 )2
p2
(V2 )2
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2 + he
g
2g
g
2g
( z1 = z2 (as pipe is horizontal)
p2 p1
(V1 )2
(V2 )2
2.492
1.2442
=

he =

0.079 = 0.158
g
2g
2g
2 9.81 2 9.81
of oil Let h be the reading of the U-tube oil-mercury manometer where limbs are connected across the
expanded transition


p2 p1
Sm
=h
1
g
So
9

where Sm is the specific gravity of mercury(=13.6)



13.6
0.158 = h
1 = 16h
0.8
h=

0.158
= 0.009875m
16

or 9.875mm(Answer)

10

Problem 4
When a sudden contraction is introduced in a horizontal pipeline from 500mm diameter to 250mm diameter,the pressure changes from 105KN/m2 to 69KN/m2 .If the co-efficient of contraction is assumed to be
0.65,calculate the flow rate
Following this if there is sudden enlargement from 250mm to 500mm and if the pressure at the 250mm
section is 69KN/mm2 ,what is the pressure at the 500mm enlarged portion?

4.png
Figure 8: Problem 4
Given D1 = 500mm = 0.5m Area ,
A1 =
D2 = 250mm = 0.25m Area ,
A2 =

2
0.5 = 0.1963m3
4

0.252 = 0.04908m3
4

Pressure inside the large pipe = 105KN/m2

Pressure inside the small pipe = 69KN/m2
Co-efficient of contraction Cc = 0.65
Flow rate Q : Head loss due to contraction is given by,

2

2
V2
1
1
V2
V2
hc = 2
1 = 2
1 = 0.2899 2
2g Cc
2g 0.65
2g
From continuity equation, we have
A1 V1 = A2 V2
A2
V1 =
V2 =
A1
2

2
D
A2 V 2
4 2 V = D2
V1 =
=
V2
2
A1
D1
D12
4

2
0.25
V2
V1 =
V2 =
0.50
4
Applying Bernoullis equation at 1 and 2 we get
p1
(V1 )2
p2
(V2 )2
+
+ z1 =
+
+ z2 + he
g
2g
g
2g
( z1 = z2 (as pipe is horizontal)
p1
(V1 )2
p2
(V2 )2
+
=
+
+ he
g
2g
g
2g
11

Sibstituting values we get

(V2 /4)2
69
(V2 )2
V22
105
+
=
+
+ 0.2899
9.81 2 9.81
9.81 2 9.81
2 9.81
or
210 +

V22
= 138 + V22 + 0.2899V22
16

72 = 1.2899V22

V22
= 1.2274V22
16

V2 = 7.66m/s
Hence rate of flow Q = A2 V2 = 0.04908 7.66 = 0.376m3 /s(Answer)
Pressure at the enlarged section p4
(V3 )2
p4
(V4 )2
p3
+
+ z3 =
+
+ z4 + he
g
2g
g
2g
( z3 = z4 ) (as pipe is horizontal)
p3 = 69KN/m2
V3 = V2 = 7.66m/s
V4 = V1 =
he =

7.66
V2
=
= 1.915m/s
4
4

(V3 V4 )2
(7.66 1.915)2
=
m = 1.68m
2g
2 9.81

Substituting values in the above equation,

69
7.662
p4
(1.915)2
+
=
+
+ 1.68
9.81 2 9.81
9.81
2 9.81
or
7.033 + 2.99 =

p4
+ 0.187 + 1.68
9.81

or
p4 = 80kN/mm2
(Answer)

12

Problem 5
In a laboratory,you have been assigned the task of developing a crude flow meter for measuring the flow
in a 400mm diameter water pipe system.You are to install a 200mm diameter section of pipe and a water
manometer to measure the pressure drop at the sudden contraction.Derive an expression for the theoretical
calibration constant k in

Q = k h
where Q is the volume flow rate in L/min and h is the manometer deflection in mm.

5.png
Figure 9: Problem 5
Given data:
D1 = 400mm
D2 = 200mm
and also KL = 0.4
Applying Bernoullis equation between 1 and 2 we get
p1
V2
p2
V2
+ 1 + gz1
+ 2 + gz2 = hL

2
where terms have their usual meaning and hL is the loss due to contraction. and
hL = KL

V22
2

Hence the pressure drop is

p = p1 p2 = (
for sudden contraction
so

V22
V2
V2
1 + KL 2 )
2
2
2

V1 D12 = V2 D22 = Q
4
4
"
#
4
D1
V12
(1 + KL ) 1
p =
2
D1

For the pressure drop we can use the manometer equation

p = gh
Hence
V 2
gh = 1
2

"

D1
D1

4
(1 + KL ) 1

In terms of flow rate Q

gh =
2

Q2


2 2
4 D1

"

D1
D1

13

4

#
(1 + KL ) 1

or
Q2
gh = 8 2 4
D1

"

D1
D1

4

(1 + KL ) 1

we can rearrange this equation so as to get Q in the form

Q = k h
that is

v
u
g 2 D14
u

k = u  4
t D1
(1
+
K
)

1
L
D1

Substituting value of D1 , D2 andKL we get

L
min
k = 228
mm1/2

14