Flow Characteristics: B.

Pressure Loss (head loss,

A. Pipe Sizing
Conley FRP/GRE piping systems have a
smooth interior surface that due to its
corrosive resistance will retain its flow
advantage over time; however, to maximize
the life of any fiberglass pipe system, most
engineers will maintain the fluid velocity
between 3 and 12 ft/sec.
The following equations are typical design
guides which may be used as a rule of thumb
when choosing the pipe size to convey a
specific amount of liquid.
Maximum Velocity for Clear Fluids:
Eq. 1 V = 48 / 0.33
Where: V = fluid velocity, ft/sec
= fluid density, lb/ft.3
pressure drop)
When a piping system experiences a
reduction in pressure, it is expressed as head
loss in feet or pressure loss in psi.
There are several methods to calculate the
expected head loss in an FRP system.
Conley Corporation uses two of the most
common methods, Hazen-Williams and
Darcy-Weisbach.
B.1 The Hazen-Williams method
assumes water under full flow as well
as turbulent flow. Many engineers
use this method to provide a
conservative estimation of head loss
(pressure loss) in FRP pipe. A
simplified version of the Hazen-
Williams method often preferred by
engineers is shown below:

Maximum Velocity for Corrosive or

Erosive Fluids: Hazen Williams Nomograph

Eq. 2 V = 24 / 0.33

Minimum Pipe Diameter for Water:

Eq. 3 d = 0.73 [(Q) / (SG)] 0.5 / 0.33

Where: d = inside pipe diameter,

inch
Q = flow rate, gal/min (gpm)
SG = specific gravity,
dimensionless
= fluid density, lb/ft3

Minimum Pipe Diameter for Corrosive or

Erosive Fluids:

Eq. 4 d = 1.03 [(Q) / (SG)] 0.5 / 0.33

Convert the flow rate to fluid velocity:

Eq. 5 V = 0.409 (Q / d 2)

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 Eq. 6 hf = [42.7 Q / (Cd 2.63)] 1.852
hf = friction factor, ft. of
water/100 ft.
C= Hazen-Williams
roughness coefficient
(150 for Conley
fiberglass)
Q= flow rate, gal/min
(gpm)
d= inside pipe diameter,
inch
To convert the head loss of any liquid into
pressure drop the following equation is used:
Eq.7 p = (Hf) (SG) / 2.31
Where: p = pressure drop, psi
Hf = (hf)(L)/100 this is total
head loss per ft. for
water
L = line length, ft
SG = specific gravity of the
fluid used
B.2 Using the Darcy-Weisbach
equation to calculate pressure
loss. The advantage of this equation
is that it is valid for all fluids in
laminar and turbulent flow.
Once the pipe size has been selected
the flow pattern may be determined by
using the Reynolds Number equation:
Eq. 8 Re = (ID) (V) /
Where: Re = Reynolds number,
dimensionless
ID = pipe inside diameter,
ft
V = fluid velocity, ft/sec
= kinematic viscosity,
ft2/sec
If the Reynolds number is less than 2000, the
flow is laminar. If the Reynolds number is
greater than 4000, the flow is turbulent.
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Laminar flow Re 2000
Transition flow zone 2000 < Re < 4000
Turbulent flow Re 4000
Thus, by determining the flow pattern it is
possible to select the appropriate friction
factor for the Darcy-Weisbach equation.
Eq. 9 Hf = [f L (V2)] / 2 (ID) g
Where: Hf = Head loss, ft.
f = Darcy-Weisbach
friction factor,
dimensionless
L = Total length of pipe ft.
g = Gravitational constant,
32.2 ft/sec2
For pipe in laminar flow, f becomes fl, the
friction factor for laminar flow.
Eq. 10 fl = 64 / Re
For a pipe with turbulent flow, a simple
equation (accurate to within 1% of the more
complex Colebrook equation) to determine
the value of f or ft is as follows:
Eq. 11 ft = [1.8 Log (Re / 7)] -2
While the Hazen-Williams method and the
Darcy-Weisbach equation are used
extensively by engineers to determine head
loss or pressure drop in a pipe system; it
must be remembered that changes in
direction, elevation and degree of turbulence
all add to total head loss.
B.3 Fittings in the Equation
Total head loss or pressure drop in a system
must include head loss in fittings.
Head loss in fittings (or valves) can be
determined by multiplying the K factor or
loss coefficient by the velocity head of the
liquid flow in the pipe system as shown in the
following equation:
Eq. 12 Hff = K (V 2 / 2g)
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 Where: Hff = Head loss (fittings) Step 1. Calculate the maximum velocity
K = (see Table 1 for typical using Eq. 1
values)
V = fluid velocity V = 48 / 0.33
V = 0.409 (Q / d 2) = 48 / (62.4)0.33
g = Gravitational constant, = 12.26 ft/sec
32.2ft/sec2
Step 2. Calculate the minimum pipe
Table 1: diameter for water using Eq. 3 (SG = 1 and
Typical K factors for FRP fittings = 62.4 lb/ft3)

Type of Fitting K d = 0.73 [(Q) / (SG)] 0.5 / 0.33

factor = 0.73 [(1200)/(1)]0.5/(62.4)0.33
90 elbow, standard 0.5 = 6.46 in
90 elbow, single miter 1.4
45 elbow, standard 0.3 Use the next larger available size, therefore
180 return bend 1.3 8"
Tee, straight flow 0.4
Tee, flow to branch 1.4 Step 3. Calculate the average fluid velocity
Tee, flow from branch 1.7 using Eg. 5
Reducer, single size reduction 0.7
Reducer, double size reduction 3.3 V = 0.409 (Q / d 2)
= 0.409 (1200/82)
*Note: More K factors are available in = 7.67 ft/sec
hydraulic handbooks for various types of
fittings and valves. Step 4. Calculate the Reynolds Number
using Eq. 8 (Assume kinematic viscosity =
To find the total pressure drop in a pipe 0.00001)
system add the total head loss from the pipe
and fittings Re = (ID) (V) /
= (0.67)(7.67)/0.00001
Eq. 13 Ht = Hf + Hff = 5.1 x 105

then use the following equation to convert Since Re is greater than 4000 the flow is
head loss to pressure drop. turbulent

Eq. 14 p = (Ht) (SG) / 2.31 Step 5. Calculate the friction factor using
Eq. 11
Where: Ht = Total head loss
ft = [1.8 Log (Re / 7)] -2
Example: = [1.8 Log (5.1 x 105 / 7)]-2
= 0.013
Determine the pipe diameter and pressure
losses for a pipe line flowing 1200 GPM of Step 6. Calculate the head loss using Eq. 9
water through 5000 ft of pipe at 70F. The
density of water is 62.4 lb per cubic foot. Hf = [f L (V2)] / 2 (ID) g
There is no change in direction (no fittings) or = (0.013)(5000)(7.672)/
elevation. 2(0.67)(32.2)
= 88.6 ft

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Step 7. Convert head loss to working
pressure using Eq. 14

p = (Ht) (SG) / 2.31

= (88.6) (1.0) / 2.31
= 38.35 psi

C. Water Hammer

Water hammer or pressure surge in a pipe

line must be avoided by proper system
design. Sudden opening or closing of valves,
sudden pump start up or shut down or
sudden release of air can cause a pressure
surge (kinetic energy) sufficient to destroy a
pipeline unless controlled.

*Note: Refer to the AWWA Manual M45,

Fiberglass Pipe Design for detailed hydraulic
design information. www.awwa.org

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