Pipe Flow/Friction Factor Calculations I: (S.I.

units)
Calculation of Head Loss, hL, or Frictional Pressure Drop, Pf,
for given flow rate, Q, pipe diam., D, pipe length, L,
pipe roughness, , and fluid properties, & .
1. Determine Friction Factor, f, assuming completely turbulent flow

Inputs

[f = 1.14 + 2 log10(D/)-2]

Calculations

Pipe Diameter, D =

150

mm

Pipe Diameter, D =

0.1500

Pipe Roughness, =

0.15

mm

Friction Factor, f =

0.01962

30

Cross-Sect. Area, A =

0.0177

m2

Pipe Flow Rate, Q =

0.017

m3/s

Ave. Velocity, V =

1.0

m/s

Fluid Density, =

1000

kg/m3

Reynolds number, Re =

111,000

0.0013

N-s/m2

Pipe Length, L =

Fluid Viscosity, =

2. Check on whether the given flow is "completely turbulent flow"

(Calculate f with the transition region equation and see if differs from the one calculated above.)

f = {-2*log10[((/D)/3.7)+(2.51/(Re*(f1/2))]}-2
Transition Region Friction Factor, f:

f=

0.0221

Repeat calc of f using new value of f:

f=

0.0220

f=

0.0220

Repeat again if necessary:

3. Calculate hL and Pf, using the final value for f calculated in step 2

(hL = f(L/D)(V2/2g)

Frictional Head Loss, hL

and Pf = ghL)

0.207

2033

N/m2

2.03

kN/m2

Frictional Pressure
Drop, Pf

Frictional Pressure
Drop, Pf