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Frictional Loss Formula:
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Frictional Loss is the loss of pressure or "head" that occurs in pipe or duct flow due to the effect of the fluid's viscosity near the surface of the pipe or duct. It represents the energy dissipated as heat due to friction between the fluid and the conduit walls.
The calculator uses the frictional loss formula:
Where:
Explanation: The energy slope represents the rate of energy loss per unit length of the conduit, and when multiplied by the length of the reach, it gives the total frictional loss over that distance.
Details: Accurate calculation of frictional loss is crucial for designing efficient piping systems, determining pump requirements, and analyzing fluid flow characteristics in various engineering applications.
Tips: Enter energy slope in m/m (meters per meter) and reach length in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What factors affect frictional loss in pipes?
A: Frictional loss depends on pipe roughness, fluid viscosity, flow velocity, pipe diameter, and length of the pipe section.
Q2: How is energy slope related to hydraulic gradient?
A: Energy slope is at a distance equal to the velocity head above the hydraulic gradient and represents the rate of energy dissipation.
Q3: What is a "reach" in fluid mechanics?
A: In practical use, a reach is any length of a stream or river, often referring to a specific section rather than the entire length of the watercourse.
Q4: When is this calculation most applicable?
A: This calculation is particularly useful for open channel flow and pressurized pipe flow systems where energy dissipation due to friction is significant.
Q5: Are there more complex methods for calculating frictional loss?
A: Yes, methods like the Darcy-Weisbach equation or Manning's equation provide more detailed calculations that account for additional factors affecting frictional loss.