CEE 410

Hydraulic Engineering
{ 3- Minor Losses in Piping
Piping Systems
System Head Calculations

Michael D. Doran, P.E. DEE

Professor of Practice
 1. Understand concepts of K and
L/D for minor losses.
2. Understand basics of pressure and
gravity piping system configuration.
3. Understand how to use H-W
(pressure) and Mannings (gravity) to
preform system head calculations for
water/wastewater.

Outcomes for today

Total HL = Pipe Friction HL + Minor HL

Total Headloss
Total HL = Pipe Friction HL + Minor HL

Total Headloss
Total HL = Pipe Friction HL + Minor HL

+ Analysis of Full Pipe Systems

Total Headloss
Velocity Head is Lost
 Minor Head Loss:

HL = K(V2/2g)

K-value Method
HL = K(V2/2g) r/D K
Sharp 0.50
0.04 0.24
0.06 0.15
0.10 0.09

K=0.78

K-value for Entrance

HL = K(V2/2g)

K=1.0

K-value for Exit

HL = K(V2/2g)
0.1 < K < 1.0+

Vary with
dimensions and
pipe diameter -
Consult tables

K-value for Elbow

HL = K(V2/2g)
0.2 < K < 1.6
Branch
Vary with
dimensions and
pipe diameter -
Consult tables
Thru or Run

K-value for Tee

 Vary with type of
valve, dimensions and
pipe diameter -
Consult tables

K for Valve
 Vary -Consult tables;
Consult manufacturer
K for Specialty Fittings
Example 1 (US) What are the minor
losses from a flush sharp-edged entrance,
tee (run), swing check valve, standard 90
elbow, standard 45 elbow, an open gate
valve, and an exit in a run of 12-inch piping
with a velocity of 6.0 ft/s?
 Condition/Fitting K
Entrance (flush sharp-edge) 0.50
Tee (run) 0.26
Swing Check Valve 0.60
90 deg Elbow 0.39
45 deg Elbow 0.21
Open Gate Valve 0.10
Exit 1.00
Total 3.06
Looking up K values
 HL = K(V2/2g)

= 3.06{6.02/[2(32.2)]}ft2(s2)
s2(ft)
= 1.7 ft

Computing HL
Rather than using the K(V2/2g)
approach, it may be useful in some cases
to equate fittings to their Equivalent
Length as a function of pipe diameter
(L/D).

A fitting with L/D = 30, for example, in a 12

inch pipe, is equivalent to 30 ft of pipe.

L/D Method
Fitting/Appurtenance L/D
Standard 90 deg Elbow 30
Standard 45 deg Elbow 16
Long Rad 90 deg Elbow 20
Tee (Run) 20
Tee (Branch) 60
Gate Valve (open) 13
Swing Check Valve 135

Common L/D Values

Example 2 (US) For the situation of
Example 1, how many feet of 12-inch pipe
would need to be included in the analysis
to represent the minor losses from the
elbows, tee and valves?

Computing HL for L/D

 Condition/Fitting L/D
Tee (run) 20
Swing Check Valve 135
90 deg Elbow 30
45 deg Elbow 16
Open Gate Valve 13
Total 214
L = (L/D)D = 214(1.0 ft) = 214 ft

Computing HL for L/D

 EL = 985.0

EL = 845.0

C G
G

A Simple Pressure System

 EL = 985.0

EL = 845.0
3,900 ft 10-in
3.50 ft3/s (cfs)
C G
G
(1,600 gpm)
C=100
A Simple Pressure System
 EL = 985.0

Rounded Inlet G

r/d = 0.10
EL = 845.0

C G
G

A Simple Pressure System

 EL = 985.0

EL = 845.0
(3) Open Gate Valves
(1) Swing Check
G
C G (2) 45 deg Elbows
(3) 90 deg Elbows

A Simple Pressure System

1.Head due to elevation difference
2.Head due to pipe friction
3.Head due to minor losses
4.Total head = el + friction + minor
1.Head due to elevation difference

Zout Zin = 985.0 845.0 = 140.0 ft

2. Head losses due to friction
Fitting L/D
(3) Open Gate Valves 39
(1) Swing Check 135
(2) 45 deg Elbows 32
(3) 90 deg Elbows 90
Total 296
L (appurtenances) = 296(10/12)ft = 247 ft
L total = pipe + Equiv Lg = 3,900 + 247 = 4,147
2. Head losses due to friction (contd)

HL = 1,043Q1.85(C)-1.85(D-4.87)ft/100 ft pipe
= 1,043(1,6001.85)100-1.85(10)-4.87
= 2.4 ft/100 ft pipe
HL = (2.4 ft/100 ft) (4,147 ft) = 100 ft
3. Head losses due to entrance and exit

V = Q/A = 3.50 ft3 = 6.4 ft/s

(s) (5/12)2 ft2

HL = KV2/2g
= (0.09 + 1.0)6.42 ft2(s2) ~ 1 ft
s2(2)(32.2) ft
1.Head due to elevation difference 140 ft
2.Head due to pipe friction 100 ft
3.Head due to minor losses 1 ft
4.Total head = el + friction + minor 241 ft

System Head
 Q2

Q1
Q3

Gravity pipe HL concepts

 Pipe Friction Losses

Q2

Q1
Q3

Gravity pipe HL concepts

 Pipe Friction Losses

Q2

Q1
Minor Losses Q3

Gravity pipe HL concepts

 Q= 1.486A R0.67S0.50
n
Mannings Equation

Pipe Friction Losses

 Benches
Flow through MH:
Straight alignment
No diameter change
Constant Q
Well benched

K=0.2

Gravity Flow Minor HL

Flow through MH:
Algular alignment
No diameter change
Constant Q
Well benched
Angle K
30 0.3
45 0.4
90 0.6

Gravity Flow Minor HL

Flow through MH:
Junctions
Well benched

K=0.8 K=1.0

Gravity Flow Minor HL

HGL
K=1.5
(conservative)

HL through Surcharged MH
Example 3 (US) Determine appropriate
sewer diameters and invert elevations for
this condition at MHs 2 and 3. Size Yellow
Pipes and determine S downstream MH3.
0.67 cfs
MH1 8-in San
1.56 cfs
IE 892.70 at MH2
12-in San
MH3
IE = 892.22
250 LF
MH2
n=0.015
What diameter pipes should we use?
Want to maintain 2 ft/s V to maintain
solids in suspension.
Pipes (US) generally come in 8, 12, 18,
24, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72 inch diameters
Grade is usually precious (to minimize
pumping downstream).

So, generally we will choose a pipe that

would have a velocity of 2 ft/s or a little
more when flowing full.
For Q = 1.56 cfs:
V = Q/A
8ID V=1.56/(0.332)=4.6 ft/s
12ID V=1.56/0.502)=2.0 ft/s
18ID V=1.56/0.752)=0.9 ft/s

Choose Pipe Diameters

For Q = 1.56 cfs:
V = Q/A
8ID V=1.56/(0.332)=4.6 ft/s
12ID V=1.56/0.502)=2.0 ft/s
18ID V=1.56/0.752)=0.9 ft/s

12-in fits situation well.

Choose Pipe Diameters

For Q = 1.56+0.67 = 2.23 cfs:
V = Q/A
12ID V=2.23/0.502)=2.8 ft/s
18ID V=2.23/0.752)=1.3 ft/s

Choose Pipe Diameters

For Q = 1.56+0.67 = 2.23 cfs:
V = Q/A
12ID V=2.23/0.502)=2.8 ft/s
18ID V=2.23/0.752)=1.3 ft/s

12-in fits, or could install 18-in at slope

sufficient to maintain 2 ft/s flowing
partially full. Lets chose 12-in for prob.
Choose Pipe Diameters
 2
S= nQ
1.486(A)R0.67

MH1 to MH2
2
S= 0.015(1.56) = 0.0026 ft/ft
1.486(0.502)(1.0/4)0.67

MH2 to MH3
2
S= 0.015(2.23) = 0.0053 ft/ft
1.486(0.502)(1.0/4)0.67
Minor Losses:

MH 1) KV2/2g = 0.3(1.56/0.502)2ft2(s2) = 0.02 ft

(s2)(2)(32.2)ft
Set IE at outlet at 892.22 - 0.02 = 892.20

MH 2) KV2/2g = 0.8(2.23/0.502)2ft2(s2) = 0.10 ft

(s2)(2)(32.2)ft

MH 3) KV2/2g = 0.6(2.23/0.502)2ft2(s2) = 0.08 ft

(s2)(2)(32.2)ft
MH2 Inverts
Inlet = MH1Out IE - 300(0.0026) = 892.20 0.78 = 891.42
Outlet = 891.42 Minor Loss = 891.42 0.10 = 891.32

MH3 Inverts
Inlet = MH2Out IE - 250(0.0053) = 891.32 1.32 = 890.00
Outlet = 890.00 Minor Loss = 890.00 0.08 = 889.92

Slope Downstream of MH3 = 0.0053 (same as for MH2

to MH3)
 0.67 cfs
MH1 8-in San
1.56 cfs
IE 892.70 at MH2
12-in San
MH3
S = 0.0053
IE = 892.22
IE = 892.20 250 LF

S = 0.0053
MH2
IE = 891.42
IE = 891.32
IE = 890.00
IE = 889.92
 1. Understand concepts of K and
L/D for minor losses.
2. Understand basics of pressure and
gravity piping system configuration.
3. Understand how to use H-W
(pressure) and Mannings (gravity) to
preform system head calculations for
water/wastewater.

Outcomes for today