Pipe friction & head loss worksheet with answers

Free printable Pipe friction & head loss worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
V = 2.6 m/sD = 50 mmν = 1.31 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s

Water at 10 °C (ν = 1.31 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s) flows at a mean velocity of 2.6 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 50 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

V = 2.6 m/sD = 50 mmν = 1.31 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s
Re =
2.Easy
V = 1.5 m/sD = 150 mmρ = 850 kg/m³, μ = 0.005 Pa·s

Light fuel oil (ρ = 850 kg/m³, μ = 0.005 Pa·s) flows at 1.5 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 150 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

ρ = 850 kg/m³μ = 0.005 Pa·sV = 1.5 m/sD = 150 mm
Re =
3.Medium
V = 1 m/sD = 75 mmL = 500 mf = 0.03

Water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³) flows at 1 m/s through a horizontal pipe, 500 m long, with an inside diameter of 75 mm. Use the Darcy friction factor f = 0.03 and g = 9.81 m/s². Find the pressure drop Δp over the pipe in kPa.

V = 1 m/sL = 500 mD = 75 mmf = 0.03ρ = 1000 kg/m³
Δp = kPa
4.Medium
V = 1.8 m/sD = 250 mmL = 800 mf = 0.022

Water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³) flows at 1.8 m/s through a horizontal pipe, 800 m long, with an inside diameter of 250 mm. Use the Darcy friction factor f = 0.022 and g = 9.81 m/s². Find the pressure drop Δp over the pipe in kPa.

V = 1.8 m/sL = 800 mD = 250 mmf = 0.022ρ = 1000 kg/m³
Δp = kPa
5.Hard
K = 2Δz = 23 mL = 200 m, D = 150 mm, f = 0.0152× bend (K = 0.3)

Two open reservoirs are joined by a pipe 200 m long with an inside diameter of 150 mm and a Darcy friction factor f = 0.015. The water surface of the upper reservoir is 23 m above that of the lower one. The minor losses are a square-edged entrance (K = 0.5), 2 bends (K = 0.3 each), a valve (K = 2) and the exit into the lower reservoir (K = 1.0). Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the flow rate Q in L/s.

Δz = 23 mL = 200 mD = 150 mmf = 0.015Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×2)Kvalve = 2Kexit = 1.0
Q = L/s
6.Hard
K = 5free outletH = ?L = 150 m, D = 150 mm, f = 0.0152× bend (K = 0.3)

A pipe 150 m long with an inside diameter of 150 mm (Darcy friction factor f = 0.015) runs from an open reservoir and discharges as a free jet into the air. The minor losses are a square-edged entrance (K = 0.5), 2 bends (K = 0.3 each) and a valve (K = 5). Use g = 9.81 m/s². How far H must the reservoir surface be above the pipe outlet for a flow rate of 30 L/s?

Q = 30 L/sL = 150 mD = 150 mmf = 0.015Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×2)Kvalve = 5
H = m

Answer key

  1. 1. Re = 99237
  2. 2. Re = 38250
  3. 3. Δp = 100 kPa
  4. 4. Δp = 114 kPa
  5. 5. Q = 76.47 L/s
  6. 6. H = 3.246 m

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.