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 = 1.75 m/sD = 40 mmρ = 850 kg/m³, μ = 0.005 Pa·s

Light fuel oil (ρ = 850 kg/m³, μ = 0.005 Pa·s) flows at 1.75 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 40 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

ρ = 850 kg/m³μ = 0.005 Pa·sV = 1.75 m/sD = 40 mm
Re =
2.Easy
V = 2.3 m/sD = 100 mmν = 0.801 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s

Water at 30 °C (ν = 0.801 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s) flows at a mean velocity of 2.3 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 100 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

V = 2.3 m/sD = 100 mmν = 0.801 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s
Re =
3.Medium
V = 1.3 m/sD = 300 mmL = 300 mf = 0.022

Water flows at a mean velocity of 1.3 m/s through a pipe 300 m long with an inside diameter of 300 mm. Use the Darcy friction factor f = 0.022 and g = 9.81 m/s². Find the friction head loss hf.

V = 1.3 m/sL = 300 mD = 300 mmf = 0.022g = 9.81 m/s²
hf = m
4.Medium
V = 2 m/sD = 200 mmL = 150 mf = 0.02

Water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³) flows at 2 m/s through a horizontal pipe, 150 m long, with an inside diameter of 200 mm. Use the Darcy friction factor f = 0.02 and g = 9.81 m/s². Find the pressure drop Δp over the pipe in kPa.

V = 2 m/sL = 150 mD = 200 mmf = 0.02ρ = 1000 kg/m³
Δp = kPa
5.Hard
K = 0.2Δz = ?L = 150 m, D = 150 mm, f = 0.0154× bend (K = 0.3)

Two open reservoirs are joined by a pipe 150 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 = 0.2) 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 25 L/s?

Q = 25 L/sL = 150 mD = 150 mmf = 0.015Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×4)Kvalve = 0.2Kexit = 1.0
Δz = m
6.Hard
K = 2Δz = ?L = 100 m, D = 100 mm, f = 0.0153× bend (K = 0.3)

Two open reservoirs are joined by a pipe 100 m long with an inside diameter of 100 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 8 L/s?

Q = 8 L/sL = 100 mD = 100 mmf = 0.015Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×3)Kvalve = 2Kexit = 1.0
Δz = m

Answer key

  1. 1. Re = 11900
  2. 2. Re = 287141
  3. 3. hf = 1.895 m
  4. 4. Δp = 30 kPa
  5. 5. Δz = 1.826 m
  6. 6. Δz = 1.026 m

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