57:020 Mechanics of Fluids and Transfer Processes

Laboratory Experiment #2

Measurement of Velocity Profile and Friction Factor in Pipe Flows

M. Muste, F. Stern, M. Wilson, and S. Ghosh
1. Purpose
To measure velocity profiles and friction factors in smooth and rough pipe flows, determine the measurement uncertainties,
and to compare the measurements with benchmark data.
2. Experiment Design
In a fully developed, axisymmetric pipe flow (see Figure 1), the axial velocity (the only velocity component) at some
distance r from the pipe centerline, u = u (r) is the same whatever the direction in which r is considered. However, the
shape of the velocity profile is different for laminar or turbulent.
Laminar and turbulent flow regimes are distinguished
by the flow Reynolds number defined as

Re

2R

VD
4Q

(1)

um ax
V

P a r a b o lic
c u rve
dA

u (r )

(a )

2R

where V is the pipe average velocity, D is the pipe

diameter, Q is the pipe flow rate, and is the
kinematic viscosity of the fluid. For fully developed
laminar flow (Re < 2000), analytical solution for the
differential equations of the fluid flow (Navier-Stokes
and continuity) can be obtained. For turbulent pipe
flows (Re > 2000), there is no exact solution of the
Navier-Stokes equations. Semi-empirical laws for
velocity distribution are used instead for turbulent
flows.

dh

2R

V
um ax
u (r )

(b )

Figure 1. Velocity distributions for fully developed

flow in a pipe flow: a) laminar flow; b) turbulent flow

Velocity distribution in pipe flows is directly linked to the distribution of the shear stress within the pipe cross section
(http://css.engineering.uiowa.edu/fluidslab/referenc/concepts.html - select Pressure-Driven Pipe Flows). The pipe-head
loss due friction is obtained from the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

L V2
(2)
D 2g
where f is the (Darcy) friction factor, L is the length of the pipe over which the loss occurs, hf is the head loss due to viscous
effects, and g is the gravitational acceleration. Moody chart provides the friction factor for pipe flows with smooth and
rough walls in laminar and turbulent regimes. The friction factor depends on Re and relative roughness k/D of the pipe (for
large enough Re, the friction factor is solely dependent on the relative roughness).
hf f

The experiments are conducted in an instructional airflow pipe facility sketched in Figure 2. The air is blown into a large
reservoir located at the upstream end of the system. Pressure built up in the reservoir forces air to flow through any of the
three straight experimental pipes. Pressure taps are located along each of the pipes to allow pressure head measurements.
The pipe characteristics for each of the pipes included in the facility are provided in Appendix A. At the downstream end of
the system, the air is directed downward and back through any of three pipes of varying diameters fitted with Venturi
meters. Six gate valves are used for directing the flow. The top three valves control flow through the experimental pipes,
while the bottom three valves control which venturi meter is used.
Velocity distributions in the pipes are measured with Pitot tubes housed in glass-walled boxes, as sketched in Figure 3. The
data reduction equation (DRE) for the measurement of the velocity profiles is obtained by applying Bernoullis equation for
the Pitot tube

2 g w

u (r )
z SM Stag r z SM Stat
a

1/ 2

(3)

where u(r) is the velocity at the radial position r, g is the gravitational acceleration, z SM Stag (r ) is the stagnation pressure
head sensed by the Pitot probe located at radial position r, z SM Stat is the reading for the static pressure head in the pipe,
equal to that of the ambient pressure in the glass-walled box. The readings of the pressure heads in Equation (3) are in
height of a liquid column (ft of water), hence the density of water, w, and air, a are also involved in the equation to account
for pressure conversion.

ADAS
2

D if fe r e n t ia l
M a n o m e te r

ADAS
1

S im p le
M a n o m e te r
P it o t T u b e
H o u s in g s

V a lv e
M a n ifo ld
2

2 .0 s m o o th

V a lv e s

0 .5 s m o o th
2 .0 r o u g h
6 -6

R e s e r v o ir

P re s s u re
Taps

R e lie f
V a lv e s

D t = 1 .0

D t = 2 .0

B lo w e r

D t = 0 .5

F lo o r
V e n tu ri
M e te rs

M o to r
C o n t r o lle r

V e n tu ri M e te r
G a te V a lv e s

3 6 -0

T h e rm o m e te r

Figure 2. Airflow pipe system

A number of equally spaced pressure taps are located along each of the pipes to allow for head measurements and
subsequent calculation of pipe friction factor. The location of the pressure taps is provided in Appendix A. DRE for the
friction factor is one of the Darcy Weisbach equation forms (Roberson & Crowe, 1997)

g 2 D 5 w
z SM i z SM j
8 LQ 2 a

where D is the pipe diameter, L is the length of pipe between the taps i and j,

(4)

z SM i z SM j is the difference in pressure

(height of water column) between the taps i and j, and Q is the pipe flow rate. The flow rate (discharge) can be directly
measured using the calibration equations for the Venturi meters (Rouse, 1978)

Q C d At 2 gz DM

w
a

(5)

where Cd is the discharge coefficient, At is the contraction area, z DM is the head drop across the Venturi measured in
height of liquid column (ft of water) by the differential manometer or ADAS. Appendix A lists Venturi meter characteristics
and provides details on the derivation of Equation (5). Alternatively, the flow rate can be determined by integrating the
measured velocity distribution over the pipe cross-section
r

Qi 2 u ( r ) rdr

(6)

Pressure measurements can be conducted in two ways: a) manually, using simple and differential manometers; b)
automatically, using pressure transducers incorporated in the two Automated Data Acquisition Systems (ADAS). Pressures
from various points of the facilities are transmitted to measurement devices (manometer or pressure transducer) through
tygon tubing. Pitot tube pressures in Equation (3) and those from taps distributed along the pipes in Equation (4) are
sequentially directed to the measurement device by the valve manifold sketched in Figure 4. The manifold controls which
of the multiple incoming tube pressures are send to the pressure measurement device (including ADAS). The pressure head
difference in Equation (5) is directly transmitted to the differential manometer or pressure transducer by a pair of tubes.

B le e d e r
V a lv e
P it o t T u b e
P o s it io n e r

A d ju s t in g
Knob

F ro m
th e T o p
2 . 0 P ip e

2 .0 P ip e
Rough or
S m o o th

3.

P it o t
Tube

F ro m th e
0 .5 P ip e

1
F ro m th e
B o tto m
2 .0 P ip e

C o n n e c tio n to
S ta tic P r e s s u re

F ro m th e
R e s e r v o ir

F ro m
P it o t - t u b e
H o u s in g s
( A m b ie n t
P re s s u re )

C o n n e c t io n t o
S ta g n a t io n P r e s s u r e

F ro m
P ito t- t u b e
H o u s in g s
( S ta g n a tio n
P re s s u re )

T o th e S im p le M a n o m e te r /
P re s s u re T ra n s d u c e r
B le e d e r V a lv e

Figure 3. Pitot-tube assembly

Figure 4. Valve manifold

Experiment Process
3.1. Setup
The experiment measurement system for the manual and automatic configurations include
Configuration of the Manual Data Acquisition
System
Facility (see Figure 2)
Pitot-tube assembly (see Figure 3)
Venturi meter (see Figure 2)
Valve manifold (see Figure 4)
ADAS manifold (see Appendix B)
Thermometers (room and inside the setup)
Micrometer for Pitot positioning (see Figure 3)
Simple manometer (see Appendix B)
Differential manometer (see Appendix B)
a.
b.

c.
d.
e.

Configuration of Automatic Data Acquisition

System
Facility (see Figure 2)
Pitot-tube assembly (see Figure 3)
Venturi meter (see Figure 2)
Valve manifold (see Figure 4)
ADAS manifold (see Appendix B)
Thermometers (room and inside the setup)
Micrometer for Pitot positioning (see Figure 3)
ADAS (see Appendix B)
ADAS (see Appendix B)

Set the blower motor controller to attain the desired Re in the test sections (Re up to 105 can be obtained for both
upper and lower pipes open with a setting of 35% on the blower motor controller and control valves fully open).
Close all finger valves. When taking measurements with the simple manometer, make sure that only one finger
valve on the valve manifold (leading to the desired measurement point) and the finger leading to the measurement
device (simple manomenter or pressure transducer) are open. During measurements, valves R, S, and T on the valve
manifold should be closed.
Set the Pitot tube on the pipe centerline and zero the micrometer display.
Take several measurement samples from various locations (Pitot, Venturi, pipe pressure taps) to make sure that the
valve positioning is fully understood. Trace the pressure path through the tygon tubing for each measurement.
Get familiar with the operation of the manometers and ADAS by taking parallel readings with both systems and
verifying their consistency.

3.2. Data Acquisition

Each group of students will obtain velocity distributions and determine the friction factor for one of the 2" (rough or
smooth) pipes at a given Re. The readings with the manual data acquisition system are conducted only for demonstration
purposes (as described above). Data acquired with ADAS are recorded electronically and used subsequently for data
reduction. A spreadsheet will be provided to guide the data acquisition.
The experimental procedure follows the sequence described below:
1. With the air flowing through one of the 2" pipes, set the control valves to obtain a Venturi manometer head drop
corresponding to a pre-establish Re in the pipe flow (use Equations 1, and 5 or 6). Select the appropriate Venturi
meter, i.e., for larger discharge select a larger Venturi meter cross-section. Actual discharges in the pipe are
3

calculated with Equation (5) after precisely measuring the head drop across one of the three Venturi meters. If two
pipes are run in parallel, the discharges in the pipes are calculated using Equation (6) applied to individual pipes.
Take temperature readings with the digital thermometer (resolution 0.1 F) for ambient air and inside the pipe for
getting the water and air densities, respectively. Input the temperature readings as requested by the ADAS software
interface. As temperature increases during the experiment, take three temperature readings at the beginning, in the
middle, and at the end of the measurements.
Velocity distribution is obtained with ADAS by measuring stagnation heads across the full pipe diameter paired by
readings of the static heads using the appropriate Pitot-tube assembly. Measure stagnation heads at radial intervals
no greater than 5 mm (recommended spacing for half diameter of the upper and lower 2 pipes is 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 23,
and 24 mm). Positioning of the Pitot tube within the pipe is made with a micrometer (resolution of 0.01 mm). To
establish precision limits for velocity profiles, measurements near the pipe wall should be taken at least 10 times.
The repeated measurements should be made using an alternative measurement pattern to avoid successive readings at
the same location. The same procedure is used for the upper (smooth) and lower (rough) pipes.
Maintaining the discharge established above, measure with ADAS the pressure heads at pressure taps 1,2,3, and 4
indicated in Figure 2 by appropriately setting the manifold valves. To establish precision limits for the friction
factor, measurements for one of the taps (preferably 1) should be repeated 10 times. The repeated measurements
should be made using the alternative measurement pattern explained above. It is important to note that pressure
fluctuations are produced by opening or closing manifold valves, hence it is necessary to wait few seconds between
consecutive measurements for the pressure to settle. The same procedures are used for the rough or smooth pipe.

2.

3.

4.

3.3 Data Reduction

A spreadsheet will be provided to guide the data reduction. Data reduction includes the following steps:
1.
Using the average temperatures, T w and T a determine w, a , and a using fluid property tables. Calculate
Q using Equations (5) or (6) and Re using Equation (1). A numerical method for calculation of discharges using
Equation (6) is provided in Appendix A.
2.
Calculate velocity distribution profiles for the tested pipe using Equation (3). Plot the measured velocity
profile including the uncertainty for the velocity measurements on the centerline and near the wall. Compare the
measured velocity distribution with the provided benchmark data.
3.
Calculate the friction factor for the tested pipe using Equation (4). Use readings at taps 3 and 4, where the
flow is fully developed. Compare f with benchmark data, including uncertainty band for the measured f .
3.4 Uncertainty Assessment
Uncertainties for the experimentally measured velocities and friction factor will be evaluated. The methodology for
estimating uncertainties follows the AIAA S-071 Standard (AIAA, 1995) as summarized in Stern et al. (1999) for multiple
tests (M = 10). The block diagrams for error propagations in the measurements are provided in Figure 5.
E X P E R IM E N T A L E R R O R S O U R C E S

TEM PERATURE
W ATER

T
B

, PT

, PT

s ta g

2(z

, , z
a

SM

, z
s ta g

SM

) =
s ta t

B u, P

S M s ta g

Bz
, Pz
SM
SM

= F (T )
w
w
= F (T a )
a
u = F (

S T A T IC
PRESSURE

S T A G N A T IO N
PRESSURE

TEM PERATURE
A IR

E X P E R IM E N T A L E R R O R S O U R C E S

S M s ta g

Bz
, Pz
SM
SM

s ta g

- z

S M s ta t
s ta t

S M s ta t

) g
w

s ta t

IN D IV ID U A L
M EASUREM ENT
SYSTEM S

TEM PERATURE
W ATER

M EASUREM ENT
O F IN D IV ID U A L
V A R IA B L E S

T w

, P

P IP E
PRESSURE

TEM PERATURE
A IR

T a

, P

B
a

zSM

VENTURI
PRESSURE

SM

, Pz

SM

DM

zDM

= F (T )
w
w
a = F (T a )

D A T A R E D U C T IO N
E Q U A T IO N S

Q = F ( z

DM

f = F ( , , z

E X P E R IM E N T A L
R E S U LT

SM

, Q

g D
8LQ

w
- z
(z
)
SM j
SM i
a

f
B f , Pf

b)
a)
Figure 5. Block diagrams for uncertainty estimation: a) velocity; b) friction factor

, Pz

DM

IN D IV ID U A L
M EASUREM ENT
SYSTEM S
M EASUREM ENT
O F IN D IV ID U A L
V A R IA B L E S

D A T A R E D U C T IO N
E Q U A T IO N S

E X P E R IM E N T A L
R E S U LT S

Elemental errors for each of the measured independent variable in data reduction equations should be identified using the
best available information (for bias errors) and repeated measurements (for precision errors). We will consider in the
analysis only the largest bias limits and neglect correlated bias errors. A spreadsheet will be provided to facilitate
uncertainty analysis. The spreadsheet includes bias limit estimates for the individual measured variables.
The DRE for the velocity profile, Equation (3), is of the form: u ( r ) F ( g , w , a , z SM stag , z SM stat ) . We will only
consider bias limits for zSM stag and zSM stat. The total uncertainty for velocity measurements is
U u2 Bu2 Pu2
(7)
The bias limit, Bu, and the precision limit, Pu, for velocities are given by
j

Bu2 i2 Bi2 Z2SM stag BZ2 SM stag Z2SM stat BZ2 SM stat

(8)

Pu KSu / M

(9)

i 1

where the coefficients are calculated using mean values for the independent variables

Z SM stag

Z SM stat

SM stag

SM stag

0.5

1

0.5 g w
0.5
a
z SM stat
1
0. 5
z SM stat

0.5 g

s ;
1

0.5

s
1

and Su is the standard deviation of the repeated velocity measurements. K = 2 for (M =) 10 repeated measurements.
The DRE for the friction factor, Equation (4), is of the form: f F ( g , D, L, Q, w , a , z SM i , z SM j ) . We will only
consider bias limits for zSM i and zSM j. The total uncertainty for the friction factor is:
U 2f B 2f Pf2
(10)
The bias limit, Bf, and the precision limit, Pf, for the result are given by
j

B 2f i2 Bi2 z2SM i Bz2SM i z2SM j Bz2SM j

(11)

Pf KS f / M

(12)

i 1

where, the coefficients are calculated using mean values for the independent variables:

SM i

g 2 D 5 w
1
8 LQ 2 a

( m 1 )

SM j

g 2 D 5 w
1
8 LQ 2 a

(m 1 )

and Sf is the standard deviation of the repeated friction factor measurements. K = 2 for (M =) 10 repeated measurements.
4. Data Analysis
Measurements obtained in the experiments will be compared with benchmark data. The benchmark data for velocity
distribution corresponding to the highest Re obtainable in our laboratory setup is provided I numerical and graphical form
in Figure 6. The benchmark data for friction factor are provided by the Moody diagram (Figure 7) and by the ColebrookWhite-based formula (Roberson and Crowe, 1997)

0.25

k D 5.74
log 3.7 Re 0.9

(11)

Discussions
1. Plot the head (in ft of air) at each pressure tap as a function of distance along the pipe. Comment on the pressure
head drop distribution along the pipe.
2. Discuss trends observed in the results and comment on uncertainties and the importance of the unaccounted error
sources.
5

Why was a sloping tube instead of an upright one preferred for the simple manometer (see Appendix B)?
r/R
0.0000
0.1000
0.2000
0.3000
0.4000
0.5000
0.6000
0.7000
0.8000
0.9000
0.9625
0.9820
1.0000

u/Umax
1.0000
0.9950
0.9850
0.9750
0.9600
0.9350
0.9000
0.8650
0.8150
0.7400
0.6500
0.5850
0.4300

Schlichting Data (Re = 10 5)

1
0.8
u/Umax

3.

0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-1

-0.5

0.5

r/R

Figure 6. Benchmark data for the velocity profile

L a m in a r
F lo w

C ritic a l
Zone

T ra n s itio n
Zone

0 .1 0
0 .0 9 0
0 .0 8 0

C o m p le te T u rb u le n c e , H y d ra u lic a lly R o u g h
0 .0 5
0 .0 4

0 .0 7 0

(L /D )V

0 .0 2
0 .0 1 5

0 .0 4 0

0 .0 1
0 .0 0 8
0 .0 0 6

0 .0 3 0

0 .0 0 4

0 .0 2 5

0 .0 0 2

0 .0 2 0

0
0
0
0

H y d ra u lic a lly S m o o th
0 .0 1 5

.0
.0
.0
.0

0
0
0
0

1
08
06
04

/D

0 .0 3

0 .0 5 0

R e l a t i v e R o u g h n e s s ,

F r ic t io n F a c t o r f =

h f

/(2 g )

0 .0 6 0

0 .0 0 0 2
0 .0 0 0 1

k /D = 0 .0 0 0 0 0 5

0 .0 1 0
0 .0 0 9

0 .0 0 0 0 5

k /D = 0 .0 0 0 0 0 1

0 .0 0 8
10

10

10

10

R e y n o ld s N u m b e r , R e =

0 .0 0 0 0 1
10

10

VD

Figure 7. Benchmark data (Moody chart) for pipe friction factor (smooth and rough walls)

5. References
Roberson, J.A. and Crowe, C.T. (1997). Engineering Fluid Mechanics, 7th edition, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA.
Schlichting, H. (1968). Boundary-Layer Theory, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.
Rouse, H. (1978). Elementary Mechanics of Fluids, Dover Publications, Inc., New Yoirk, NY.
Stern, F., Muste, M., Beninati, L-M, Eichinger, B. (1999). Summary of Experimental Uncertainty Assessment
Methodology with Example, IIHR Report No. 406, Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, The University of Iowa,
Iowa City, IA.

APPENDIX A
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL FACILITY COMPONENTS
Table 1. Pipe characteristics

Table 1. Pipe characteristics

Experimental Pipe

Top

Middle

Bottom

Diameter (mm)

52.38

25.4

52.93

Internal Surface

Smooth, k = 0.025 mm

Smooth

Rough, k =0.04 mm

Number of Pressure Taps

Tap Spacing (ft)

2.5

Table 2. Venturi meter characteristics

Venturi specifications

Small

Medium

Large

Contraction Diameter, Dt (mm)

12.7

25.4

51.054

Discharge Coefficient, Cd

0.915

0.937

0.935

Alternative Discharge Calculation Methods

1. Using the Venturi meter
Venturi meter calibrations are usually established with water as working fluid. The calibration equation is:

Q C d At 2 gh
where Cd flow coefficient (obtained through calibrations)
Q flow discharge
At cross-sectional area of the Venturi contraction (throat)
h head drop across the Venturi meter
g- gravitational acceleration
Conversion of Venturi meter readings to flow rates for air is made using the following equation

Q C d At 2 gz DM

w
a

where zDM is the reading on the differential manometer (in column of water).
2. Integration of the velocity profile.
Using the measured velocity distribution u(r), the discharge can be obtained through integration using the
trapezoidal rule:

i I 1

[ 2 (u

1
u i 1 )] 2 [ (ri ri 1 )](ri 1 ri )
2

i 1
in which i 1 is the measurement on the centerline and I is the measurement near the wall (I is the total number
of measurement points for half the pipe diameter). Note that equal spacing between measurements simplifies
somewhat the equation.
7

APPENDIX B
Manometers and Automated Data Acquisition System (ADAS)
The experiment can be conducted in two ways. One way is manually, which involves taking pressure measurements from
the Pitot-tube housing, pressure taps, and Venturi meter with the simple manometer coupled to the valve manifold and the
(see Figures B.1.a and B.1.b). The automated data acquisition system, measure the same pressures using the valve
manifold (which is the primary multiplexer), the ADAS manifold, the pressure transducer, and the PC-based acquisition
system (see Figure B.1.a and B.1.b). There are two automated data acquisition systems, ADAS 1 and 2, coupled to the
facilities to allow for simultaneous measurements of the rough and smooth pipes.
a)

b)

Figure B.1. Layout of the data acquisition systems: a) photo; b) schematic

1. Manometers
Simple manometer (FigureB.2.a)
The simple manometer is used to
measure pressures incoming from
the taps located along the pipes and
those sensed in the Pitot-tube
housing. The lower end of the
manometer is connected to the
valve manifold; the other end is
open to atmosphere.
When
pressure is directed to the
manometer and the finger valve
located above the cylinder is open,
a deflection of the water column
occurs. Readings of pressure head
in ft of water column are made on
the inclined part of the tube.
Differential manometer (Fig B.2.b)
The differential manometer is used
to measure pressure differences on
the Venturi meters located on either
of the three return pipes. Valve
pairs 1, 2, and 3 allow
measurements across the 0.5", 1.0",
and
2.0"
Venturi
meters,
respectively. Finger valves A and D
should be open at all times. Valve
pairs B and C are used to bleed the
manometer. They should be closed
during measurements.
Measurement sequence. Start with
valve pairs 1, 2 and 3 closed.
Briefly open pair B to balance the
water columns and then close. Set
the lines on the sliding meniscus of
each water column, and note the
zeroed scale reading. Open finger
valve pair 1,2 or 3 and read the
corresponding head drop by sliding
the markers to the meniscus of each
column. The manometer provides
pressure readings in ft of water
column. If a new measurement is
needed, close the previous finger
valve pair and open the new
corresponding pair.

Figure B.2. a) Simple manometer; b) Differential manometer; c) Vernier

Both the simple and differential manometer use a vernier scale to allow for measurements of 0.001 ft (Fig. B.2.c) When
finger valves are appropriately set, use the adjusting knobs until the meniscus of the water in the column is even with the
reference line on the vernier marker. The increments on the primary scale are 0.01 feet. The vernier scale has ten equal
increments and a total length of 0.009 feet. Therefore, the two scales do not line up exactly. The ratio of the last coincident
number on the vernier to the total vernier length will equal the fraction of a whole primary scale division indicated by the
index position. For the example shown above, the vernier reading would be 2.323 feet.

2.

Automated Data Acquisition System (ADAS)

ADAS Configuration
ADAS role in the present experiment is to acquire pressure measurements. The ADAS hardware mainly comprises a
pressure transducer, a personal computer (PC) fitted with an analog-to-digital converter, as illustrated in Figure B.3. The
PC is installed on a mobile rack mount, as shown in Figure B.1.a. The ADAS manifold connects the valve manifold (which
is receiving connections from all the pressure taps and Pitot-tube housing) and the Venturi meter with the pressure
transducer. LabView (LabView, National Instruments, Inc) is used as data acquisition software. The data is obtained by
running a custom-designed LabView program that acts as an interface between the PC and the pressure transducer. The
LabView program facilitates sequential data collection and uniformizes the data acquisition process.
The current experimental setup has two data acquisition systems. ADAS 1 is connected to the smooth (top) pipe and ADAS
2 is connected to rough (bottom) pipe. Each data acquisition system has its own manifold, which is connected to the valve
manifold and Venturi meter (see Figure B.1.b). The hardware and software associated with the two automated system is
identical, hence the same operational procedures will be used for both systems.
1
2
3
4
5
F ix e d
M e ta l
P la t e

Low
P re s s u re

C a p a c ita n c e to - V o lta g e
C o n v e rs io n

C a p a c it o r,
C

L a b V ie w
P ro g ra m

To P re s s u re
T ra n s d u c e r
D is p la y
E

H ig h
P re s s u re
6

D a ta
S to re

A n a lo g t o
D ig ita l ( A /D )
B o a rd

F le x ib le M e ta l
D ia p h r a g m
( D e f le c ts U n d e r
P re s s u re
D iff e r e n c e )

7
8

Figure B.3. Schematic of ADAS

ADAS Configuration
Described next is the ADAS LabView software. Bold fonts are used below for words used by ADAS software commands
or window labels. The front page of the program consists of different menus:
DPD menu measures the discharges
DPF measures the pressure drop along the pipe length
DPV measures the pipe velocity profiles
A/D interface allows specifying the operation parameters.

10

Initial Setup
1.

Getting Started with ADAS

Double click on the shortcut found on the ADAS
computer: Pipe_flowv7,vi. A window as shown in
Figure B.4 will open. Hit Run to run the program.

Figure B.4. Hit Run to run the program

2. Under Specifications (see Figure B.5), TAs/students
can add comments regarding the experiment if needed.
(characteristics of pipe selected for the measurements,
targeted Re, etc.).

Figure B.5. Experiment Specifications area

3.

Before proceeding with the measurements enter

hardware settings, by selecting the A/D interface (see
Fig. B.6). Enter the channel number that is being
sampled, the number of samples and the sampling
frequency. The effect of sampling frequency and
number, on the data acquisition, can be observed from
the display on the DPD Menu.
4.
Type in the reading of the air temperature ( oC) in
the facility (red on the same thermometer as the one
used for the ambient temperature measurement) in the
Temperature window, as shown in Figure B.7.

Figure B.6. The A/D interface

Figure B.7. Set pipe air temperature

Discharge Measurements
4.

Select the DPD menu to measure the flow

discharge in the pipe. To select it, click on the DPD tab
as shown in Figure B.8. Open Valves 5 and 7 to connect
the ADAS to the differential manometer. Make sure
that the proper pair of valves on the differential
manometer are open.
Note: Close the valves on the ADAS manifold and
differential manometer when measurements are
finished.

Figure B.8. Click on the DPD tap to measure

Differential Pressure for Discharge estimation
5.

Click Acquire Pressure button in the

Measurement window on the right side of the interface
to obtain a reading of the head drop on the Venturi
meter (Figure B.9).
Note: Discharge measurements are taken at the
beginning and at the end of the experiment. The
average of the two discharges is considered for
the lab report to account for the variation of the
temperature during the experiment.

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Figure B.9. Click on Acquire Pressure

7. Write measurements to a file. Click on Write Results

(see Figure B.10).

Figure B.10. Click on Write Results

8. The screen indicated in Figure B.11 will appear. Save
the result file in the directory indicated by the TAs
using a .txt extension for the file name. The data is
outputted in Excel compatible file format. Units for
the measured variables are specified in the output file.

Figure B.11. Write results to a file

Velocity Distribution Measurements
9.

Velocity data will be measured in the appropriate

pitot-tube house following the handout instructions. Select
the DPV tab, see Figure B.12. Open Valve 1 and Valve 6 on
the ADAS panel so that the pressure transducer is connected
to atmosphere and the simple manometer manifold,
respectively.
Note: Close the valves on the ADAS and simple
manometer manifolds when measurements are
finished.

Figure B.12. Click on DPV tap to measure

Differential Pressure for Velocity
10.

Move the Pitot tube in the housing at the desired

location for the velocity measurement (e.g. 12 mm from the
centerline). Click Acquire Pressure (Figure B.13). The
screen shown in Figure B.13 will then prompt the user for
the pitot-tube location. Enter Pitot-tube position in the
dialog box. Click OK to start the measurement. Make sure
that the valve manifold of the setup is connected to the Pitot
stagnation tube (See Figure 3).

Figure B.13. Enter position of pitot-tube

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11.

Following step 10, the screen shown in Figure

B.14 will appear. Close the valve connected to the Pitot
stagnation rube and open the valve connected to the static
on the valve manifold. Click OK on the screen shown in
Figure B.14.
Note: To establish precision limits for the simple
manometer measurements, measurements should be
taken at least 10 times. The repeated measurements
should be made using an alternative pattern to avoid
successive measurements at the same location.
Velocities are displayed graphically in a window after
each measurement is taken.

Figure B.14. Click OK when ready for static

pressure measurement

12.

Record final ambient and pipe air temperatures as

indicated in step 4.
13. Write measurements to a file. Click on Write Results (see
Figure B.15). The data is outputted in Excel compatible
file format. Units for the measured variables are specified
in the output file.
Figure B.15. Click on Write Results
Friction Factor Measurements
14.

Select DPF tab in the main menu (Figure B.16).

Open Valves 1 and 6 on the ADAS panel so that the
pressure transducer is connected to atmosphere and the
valve manifold, respectively. Choose the desired pressure
tap that is to be measured and open the corresponding
valve on the valve manifold (see Figure 3). Close the
valves on the data acquisition panel and simple manometer
manifolds when measurements are finished.

Figure B.16. Click on DPF tap to measure

Differential Pressure for Friction Factor
15.

16.

Make the proper settings on the valve manifold to

connect the desired pressure tap to ADAS. Then enter the
pressure tap number in the window shown in Figure B.17.
Click OK. Click on Acquire Pressure as shown at Step 6
to make the measurement. Close the finger valve on the
manifold and open the valve leading to the next
measurement location. Repeat this sequence for all the
planned pressure measurements along the pipes.
Note: The pressure drop along the pipe is shown on a plot
and ideally a linear curve should be observed.

Figure B.17. Enter 1 for tap Zsm1, 2 for tap

Zsm2, ...etc.

Write measurements to a file. Click on Write

Results (see Figure B.18). The data is outputted in Excel
compatible file format. Units for the measured variables
are specified in the output file.
Figure B.18. Click on Write Results

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