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.

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1.Easy
V = 2.25 m/sD = 200 mmρ = 880 kg/m³, μ = 0.04 Pa·s

Hydraulic oil (ρ = 880 kg/m³, μ = 0.04 Pa·s) flows at 2.25 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 200 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

ρ = 880 kg/m³μ = 0.04 Pa·sV = 2.25 m/sD = 200 mm
Re =
2.Easy
V = 2.25 m/sD = 50 mmρ = 850 kg/m³, μ = 0.005 Pa·s

Light fuel oil (ρ = 850 kg/m³, μ = 0.005 Pa·s) flows at 2.25 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 50 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

ρ = 850 kg/m³μ = 0.005 Pa·sV = 2.25 m/sD = 50 mm
Re =
3.Medium
Q = 40 L/sD = 150 mmL = 800 mf = 0.015

Water flows at 40 L/s through a pipe 800 m long with an inside diameter of 150 mm. Use the Darcy friction factor f = 0.015 and g = 9.81 m/s². Find the friction head loss hf.

Q = 40 L/sL = 800 mD = 150 mmf = 0.015g = 9.81 m/s²
hf = m
4.Medium
Q = 8 L/sD = 100 mmL = 300 mf = 0.03

Water flows at 8 L/s through a pipe 300 m long with an inside diameter of 100 mm. Use the Darcy friction factor f = 0.03 and g = 9.81 m/s². Find the friction head loss hf.

Q = 8 L/sL = 300 mD = 100 mmf = 0.03g = 9.81 m/s²
hf = m
5.Hard
K = 5Δz = ?L = 200 m, D = 150 mm, f = 0.0154× 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 minor losses are a square-edged entrance (K = 0.5), 4 bends (K = 0.3 each), a valve (K = 5) and the exit into the lower reservoir (K = 1.0). Use g = 9.81 m/s². What difference in water level Δz between the reservoirs gives a flow rate of 20 L/s?

Q = 20 L/sL = 200 mD = 150 mmf = 0.015Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×4)Kvalve = 5Kexit = 1.0
Δz = m
6.Hard
K = 2Δz = ?L = 500 m, D = 300 mm, f = 0.0153× bend (K = 0.3)

Two open reservoirs are joined by a pipe 500 m long with an inside diameter of 300 mm and a Darcy friction factor f = 0.015. The minor losses are a square-edged entrance (K = 0.5), 3 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. What difference in water level Δz between the reservoirs gives a flow rate of 100 L/s?

Q = 100 L/sL = 500 mD = 300 mmf = 0.015Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×3)Kvalve = 2Kexit = 1.0
Δz = m

Answer key

  1. 1. Re = 9900
  2. 2. Re = 19125
  3. 3. hf = 20.89 m
  4. 4. hf = 4.759 m
  5. 5. Δz = 1.808 m
  6. 6. Δz = 2.999 m

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