1

Chapter 5. Pipe System

Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand the concept of hydraulic grade line and
energy grade line,
2. Analyse flow in single pipe, pipe is series and pipe in
parallel.
3. Analyse loop pipe network using Hardy-Cross method.
2
5.1 Hydraulic Grade Line and Energy Grade Line
Hydraulic grade line (HGL) or piezometric line shows the level of piezometric head,
i.e.
z
p
+

Energy grade line (EGL) shows the total energy head, i.e.
g
V
z
p
2
2
+ +

A
z
B
z
3
Entrance loss
Friction loss
Discharge loss
4
Entrance loss
Friction loss
Discharge loss
Expansion loss
5
Entrance loss
Friction loss
Discharge loss
Contraction loss
6
Example 5.1
In a fire fighting system, a pipeline with a pump leads to a nozzle as shown in
Figure. Find the flow rate when the pump develops a head of 80 ft, given that we
may express the friction head loss in the 6-in diameter pipe by h
f6
= 5V
6
2
/2g, and the
friction head loss in the 4-in diameter pipe by h
f4
= 12V
4
2
/2g. Neglect minor losses.
(a) Sketch the energy line and hydraulic grade line,
(b) Find the pressure head at the suction side of the pump,
(c) Find the power delivered to the water by the pump, and
(d) Compute the power of the jet.
7
Energy equation between A and C:
C
g
V
z
p
h h h
g
V
z
p
C
C
C
f p f
A
A
A
2 2
2
4 6
2
+ + = + + +

p
A
= 0; p
C
= 0; V
A
= 0; z
A
= 70 ft; z
C
= 80 ft; h
p
= 80 ft
g
V
h
f
2
5
2
6
6
=
g
V
h
f
2
12
2
4
4
=
ft 80 =
p
h
g
V
g
V
g
V
C
2
80 0
2
12
80
2
5
0 70 0
2 2
4
2
6
+ + = + + +
g
V
g
V
g
V
C
2 2
12
2
5
70
2 2
4
2
6
=
Express V
4
and V
6
in terms of V
C
using the continuity equation:
C C
V A V A =
4 4
C C
C
V . V
D
D
V 5625 0
2
4
2
4
= =
C C
V A V A =
6 6
C C
C
V . V
D
D
V 25 0
2
6
2
6
= =
8
Energy equation between A and C:
g
V
g
V
g
V
C
2 2
12
2
5
70
2 2
4
2
6
=
C
V . V 5625 0
4
=
C
V . V 25 0
6
= Substitute and
( ) ( )
g
V
g
V .
g
V .
C C C
2 2
5625 0 12
2
25 0 5
70
2
2 2
=
70
2
1094 5
2
=
g
V
.
C
ft/s 70 29. V
C
=
where g = 32.2 ft/s
2
/s ft 458 1 70 29
4
12
3
3
2
. . V A Q
C C
=

= =

(a) Sketch the energy line and hydraulic grade line.

g
V
h
f
2
5
2
6
6
=
g
V
h
f
2
12
2
4
4
=
( )
2 32 2
70 29 25 0 5
2
6
.
. .
h
f

=
ft 281 4
6
. h
f
=
( )
2 32 2
70 29 5625 0 12
2
4
.
. .
h
f

=
ft 02 52
4
. h
f
=
ft 8563 0
2
2
6
.
g
V
=
ft 335 4
2
2
4
.
g
V
=
ft 70 13
2
2
.
g
V
C
=
9
ft 281 4
6
. h
f
= ft 02 52
4
. h
f
= ft 80 =
p
h
ft 8563 0
2
2
6
.
g
V
= ft 335 4
2
2
4
.
g
V
= ft 70 13
2
2
.
g
V
C
=
E
G
L
70 ft
65.72 ft
145.72 ft
93.70 ft
64.86 ft
H
G
L
141.38 ft
89.36 ft
10
(b) Find the pressure head at the suction side of the pump
Energy equation between A and B:
g
V
z
p
h
g
V
z
p
B
B
B
f
A
A
A
2 2
2
6
2
+ + = + +

ft 8563 0
2
ft; 50 ft; 281 4 ; 0 ft; 70 ; 0
2
6
.
g
V
z . h V z p
B
B f A A A
= = = = =
8563 0 50 281 4 0 70 0 .
p
.
B
+ + = + +

8563 0 50 281 4 0 70 0 .
p
.
B
+ + = + +

ft 86 14.
p
B
=

11
(c) Find the power delivered to the water by the pump
ft 80 =
p
h
p
Qh P =
( )( ) 80 458 1 4 62 . . P =
ft.lb/s 3 7278. P =
(d) Compute the power of the jet
jet
Qh P =
( )( ) 70 13 458 1 4 62 . . . P =
ft.lb/s 4 1246. P =
12
Considering only friction losses, the elevation of P must lie between the surfaces of
reservoirs A and C.
If P is level with the surface of reservoir B, then h
f2
= h
2
= 0 and Q
2
= 0.
If P is above the surface of reservoir B, then water must flow in B and
If P is below the surface of reservoir B, then the flow must be out of B and
3 2 1
Q Q Q + =
3 2 1
Q Q Q = +
5.2 Branching Pipes
13
5.3 Pipes in Series
According to continuity and the energy equations, the following relations apply to the
pipes in series:
L = = = =
3 2 1
Q Q Q Q
L + + + =
3 2 1 L L L L
h h h h
14
Example 5.2
Pipes 1, 2 and 3 are 300 m of 300 mm diameter, 150 m of 200 mm diameter, and
250 m of 250 mm diameter, respectively, of new cast iron and are conveying 15C
water. If z = 10 m, find the rate of flow from A to B. Assume fully turbulent flow and
neglect minor losses.
L
1
= 300 m
D
1
= 0.3 m
L
2
= 150 m
D
2
= 0.2 m
L
3
= 250 m
D
3
= 0.25 m
= 10 m
15
L
1
= 300 m
D
1
= 0.3 m
L
2
= 150 m
D
2
= 0.2 m
L
3
= 250 m
D
3
= 0.25 m
= 10 m
Energy equation between A and B:
g
V
z
p
h h h
g
V
z
p
B
B
B
f f f
A
A
A
2 2
2 2
3 2 1
+ + = + +

0.020 0.021 0.019 f
0.00100 0.00125 0.00083 e/D
0.25 0.2 0.3 D (m)
250 150 300 L (m)
3 2 1 Pipe
m 00025 0 iron Cast . e =
0 0
2 2 2
0 10 0
2
3
3
3 3
2
2
2
2 2
2
1
1
1 1
+ = + +
g
V
D
L f
g
V
D
L f
g
V
D
L f
From continuity:
1 1
2
2
2
1
2
25 2 V . V
D
D
V = =
1 1
2
3
2
1
3
44 1 V . V
D
D
V = =
( )( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( )
0
2
44 1
25 0
250 02 0
2
25 2
2 0
150 021 0
2 3 0
300 019 0
10
2
1
2
1
2
1
=
g
V .
.
.
g
V .
.
.
g
V
.
.
m/s 183 1
1
. V =
/s m 0836 0
3
. Q =
10
2
21 140
2
1
=
g
V
.
16
5.4 Pipes in Parallel
For the parallel or looping pipes of the following figure, the continuity and energy
equations provide the following relations:
L + + + =
3 2 1
Q Q Q Q
L = = = =
3 2 1 L L L L
h h h h
This is because pressures at A and B are common to all pipes.
17
Example 5.3
Three pipes A, B and C are interconnected as in figure below. The pipe characteristics
are as follows:
0.024 4000 8 C
0.032 1600 4 B
0.020 2000 6 A
f L (ft) D (in) Pipe
Find the rate at which water will flow in each pipe. Find also the pressure at point P. All
pipe lengths are much greater than 1000 diameters, so neglect minor losses.
18
1
2
Energy equation between 1 and 2:
g
V
z
p
h h
g
V
z
p
C A
f f
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
+ + = + +

g
V
g
V
D
L f
g
V
D
L f
C C
C
C C A
A
A A
2
50 0
2 2
0 200 0
2 2 2
+ + = + +
From continuity equation:
C B A
Q Q Q = +
C C B B A A
V A V A V A = +
C C B B A A
V D V D V D
2 2 2
= +
C B A
V . V . V . 4444 0 1111 0 25 0 = +
For pipes in parallel:
B A
f f
h h =
g
V
D
L f
g
V
D
L f
B
B
B B A
A
A A
2 2
2 2
=
2 2
6 153 80
B A
V . V =
A B
V . V 7217 0 =
( )
C A A
V . V . . V . 4444 0 7217 0 1111 0 25 0 = +
C A
V . V 346 1 =
19
1
2
Energy equation between 1 and 2:
g
V
g
V
D
L f
g
V
D
L f
C C
C
C C A
A
A A
2 2 2
150
2 2 2
=
( ) ( )( )
( ) g
V
g
V .
g
V .
C C C
2 2 12 8
4000 024 0
2
346 1
80 150
2 2
2
=
C A
V . V 346 1 =
g
V
g
V
g
V
.
C C C
2 2
144
2
95 144 150
2 2 2
=
( ) 150
2
144 95 144 1
2
= + +
g
V
.
C
ft/s 772 5. V
C
=
( ) ft/s 769 7 772 5 346 1 . . . V
A
= =
( ) ft/s 607 5 .769 7 7217 0 . . V
B
= =
/s ft 015 2
3
. Q
C
=
/s ft 526 1
3
. Q
A
=
/s ft 489 0
3
. Q
B
=
Check the continuity:
C B A
Q Q Q = +
489 0 526 1 . . Q Q
B A
+ = +
C B A
Q . Q Q = = + 015 2
20
Pressure at point P
Energy equation between 1 and P:
g
V
z
p
h
g
V
z
p
P
P
P
f
A
2 2
2 2
1
1
1
+ + = + +

1
2
g
V p
g
V
.
C P C
2
120
2
95 144 0 200 0
2 2
+ + = + +

( )
( )
P
p
.
.
. =
2 32 2
772 5
95 145 80
2
ft/s 772 5. V
C
=
ft 496 4.
p
P
=

21
5.5 Pipe Networks
Three simple methods to solve for pipe networks in loop configuration are:
a. Hardy Cross (using either Darcy-Weisbach or Hazen-Williams equation),
b. Linear theory, and
c. Newton-Raphson.
The most popular is the Hardy Cross method which involves a series of successive
approximations and corrections to flows in individual pipes.
22
According to the Darcy-Weisbach equation,
g
V
d
fL
h
f
2
2
=
g
Q
d
fL
2
16
2
5 2

=
n
f
KQ h =
5
10 12 d .
fL
K = where,
The sum of head losses around any closed loop is zero, i.e.
0 =
f
h
According to the Hazen-Williams equation,
85 1
87 4 85 1
727 4
.
. .
f
Q
d C
L .
h =
87 4 85 1
70 10
. .
d C
L .
K =
and n = 2 (Darcy-Weisbach in S.I. unit)
and n = 1.85 (Hazen-Williams in S.I. unit)
23
120 20.0 10
4
Wood stave
130 40.0 10
4
Concrete
110 60.0 10
4
Riveted steel
120 1.5 10
4
Commercial and welded steel
1.5 10
4
Wrought iron
4.0 10
4
Asphalted iron
120 5.0 10
4
Galvanized iron
100 Cast iron (old)
130 8.0 10
4
Cast iron (new)
150 Smooth PVC, plastic
140 Smooth Brass, copper, aluminium
Hazen-Williams
coefficient C
Equivalent
roughness e (ft)
Pipe material
Roughness values for pipes
24
Q (m
3
/s), L (m), d (m), h
f
(m)
Q (gpm), L (ft), d (in), h
f
(ft)
Q (cfs), L (ft), d (ft), h
f
(ft)
Darcy-Weisbach
Q (m
3
/s), L (m), d (m), h
f
(m)
Q (gpm), L (ft), d (in), h
f
(ft)
Q (cfs), L (ft), d (ft), h
f
(ft)
Hazen-Williams
K Units of Measurement Formula
87 4 85 1
73 4
. .
d C
L .
87 4 85 1
44 10
. .
d C
L .
87 4 85 1
70 10
. .
d C
L .
5
70 39 d .
fL
5
15 32 d .
fL
5
10 12 d .
fL
Equivalent resistance K for pipe
25
Consider that Q
a
is an assumed pipe discharge that varies from pipe to pipe of a loop to
satisfy the continuity of flow. If is the correction made in the assumed flow of all pipes
of a loop to satisfy then, 0 =
f
h
( ) 0 = +

n
a
Q K
Expansion by binomial theorem and retaining only the first two terms yield,

=
1 n
a
n
a
KQ n
KQ

=
a
f
f
Q
h
n
h

26
Procedure of Hardy-Cross method:
1. Divide the network into a number of closed loops. Computations are made for one
loop at a time.
2. Compute K for each pipe.
3. Assume a discharge Q
a
and its direction in each pipe of the loop. At each joint, the
total flow in should equal to the flow out. Consider the clock-wise flow to be
positive and the counterclockwise flow to be negative.
4. Compute h
f
for each pipe and retain the sign of the flow direction.
5. Compute h
f
/Q for each pipe without regard to the sign.
6. Determine the correction . Apply the correction algebraically to the discharge of
each member of the loop.
7. For common members among two loops, both corrections should be made, one
for each loop.
8. For the adjusted Q, repeat steps 4 to 7 until becomes very small for all loops.
27
Example 5.4
Find the discharge in each pipe of the welded steel pipe network shown in Figure
below. All pipes are 4 in. in diameter. The pressure head at A is 50 ft. Determine the
pressure at the different nodes.
0.6 cfs
0.8 cfs
50 ft
100 ft
100 ft
50 ft
100 ft
100 ft
I II
1.8 cfs
0.4 cfs
A
B
C
D
E
28
0.6 cfs
0.8 cfs
I II
1.8 cfs
0.4 cfs
A
B
C
D
E
+
+
1.0 cfs
0.8 cfs
0.2 cfs 0.2 cfs
0.8 cfs
0.6 cfs
Assumed discharges
29
24.62 +3.89
0.185 1.80 0.36 0.2 7.12 CB
0.685 9.23 5.54 0.6 14.25 EC
+0.115 1.80 +0.36 +0.2 7.12 DE
+0.715 11.79 +9.43 +0.8 14.25 BD 2
27.84 +5.18
0.9 11.79 9.43 0.8 14.25 CA
+0.185 1.80 +0.36 +0.2 7.12 BC
+0.9 14.25 +14.25 +1.0 14.25 AB 1
h
f
= KQ
a
1.85
Q
a
(cfs) K Pipeline Loop
(7) (6) (5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
1st iteration
Q
h
f
+ =
a
Q
Q
corrected

For loop 1,
( )
10 0
84 27 85 1
18 5
.
. .
.
=

=
For loop 2,
( )
085 0
62 24 85 1
89 3
.
. .
.
=

=
87 4 85 1
73 4
. .
d C
L .
K =

=
a
f
f
Q
h
n
h

30
23.86 +0.40
0.185 1.68 0.31 0.185 7.12 CB
0.685 10.34 7.08 0.685 14.25 EC
+0.115 1.13 +0.13 +0.115 7.12 DE
+0.715 10.71 +7.66 +0.715 14.25 BD 2
27.74 +0.31
0.9 13.03 11.73 0.9 14.25 CA
+0.185 1.68 +0.31 +0.185 7.12 BC
+0.9 13.03 +11.73 +0.9 14.25 AB 1
h
f
= KQ
a
1.85
Q
a
(cfs) K Pipeline Loop
(7) (6) (5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
2nd iteration
Q
h
f
+ =
a
Q
Q
corrected

For loop 1,
( )
( ) negligible 006 0
74 27 85 1
31 0
.
. .
.
=

=
For loop 2,
( )
( ) negligible 009 0
86 23 85 1
40 0
.
. .
.
=

=
31
0.6 cfs
0.8 cfs
0.115 cfs
0.715 cfs
0.685 cfs
0.185 cfs
0.9 cfs
0.9 cfs
I II
1.8 cfs
0.4 cfs
A
B
C
D
E
+
+
Final discharges
32
Project Question
A water distribution network is shown as in figure. Elevation of A is 61 m, with
pressure head = 45.72 m. Elevation of D is 30.5 m. Using f = 0.015, find:
(i) Flow rate through each pipe, and
(ii)Pressure head at node D.
0.3 m
3
/s
0.6 m
3
/s 1
0
0
0

m

-

5
0
0

m
m
0.5 m
3
/s
0.2 m
3
/s
A
B
C
D
1
0
0
0

m

-

2
5
0

m
m
1
2
0
0

m

-

7
5
0

m
m
1
5
0
0

m

-

5
0
0

m
m
7
0
0

m

-

5
0
0

m
m