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 = 2.5 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 2.5 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 = 2.5 m/sD = 200 mm
Re =
2.Easy
V = 1.7 m/sD = 40 mmν = 1.14 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s

Water at 15 °C (ν = 1.14 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s) flows at a mean velocity of 1.7 m/s through a pipe with an inside diameter of 40 mm. Find the Reynolds number Re.

V = 1.7 m/sD = 40 mmν = 1.14 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s
Re =
3.Medium
V = 1 m/sD = 200 mmL = 150 mf = 0.022

Water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³) flows at 1 m/s through a horizontal pipe, 150 m long, with an inside diameter of 200 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 m/sL = 150 mD = 200 mmf = 0.022ρ = 1000 kg/m³
Δp = kPa
4.Medium
V = 2.9 m/sD = 100 mmL = 500 mf = 0.02

Water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³) flows at 2.9 m/s through a horizontal pipe, 500 m long, with an inside diameter of 100 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 = 2.9 m/sL = 500 mD = 100 mmf = 0.02ρ = 1000 kg/m³
Δp = kPa
5.Hard
K = 5Δz = ?L = 100 m, D = 200 mm, f = 0.0253× bend (K = 0.3)

Two open reservoirs are joined by a pipe 100 m long with an inside diameter of 200 mm and a Darcy friction factor f = 0.025. The minor losses are a square-edged entrance (K = 0.5), 3 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 60 L/s?

Q = 60 L/sL = 100 mD = 200 mmf = 0.025Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×3)Kvalve = 5Kexit = 1.0
Δz = m
6.Hard
K = 2Δz = ?L = 100 m, D = 300 mm, f = 0.0222× bend (K = 0.3)

Two open reservoirs are joined by a pipe 100 m long with an inside diameter of 300 mm and a Darcy friction factor f = 0.022. 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. What difference in water level Δz between the reservoirs gives a flow rate of 100 L/s?

Q = 100 L/sL = 100 mD = 300 mmf = 0.022Kentrance = 0.5Kbend = 0.3 (×2)Kvalve = 2Kexit = 1.0
Δz = m

Answer key

  1. 1. Re = 11000
  2. 2. Re = 59649
  3. 3. Δp = 8.25 kPa
  4. 4. Δp = 420.5 kPa
  5. 5. Δz = 3.7 m
  6. 6. Δz = 1.166 m

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