Fundamental Concepts in Fluid Mechanics

Resistance Coefficient K, Equivalent Length L/D, And Flow Coefficient Cv

Pressure loss test data for a wide variety of valves and fittings are available from the work of numerous investigators.
Extensive studies in this field have been conducted by Crane Laboratories. However, due to the time-consuming and
costly nature of such testing, it is virtually impossible to obtain test data for every size and type of valve and fitting.

It is therefore desirable to provide a means of reliably extrapolating available test information to envelope those items
which have not been or cannot readily be tested. Commonly used concepts for accomplishing this are the;
“equivalent length L/D”, “resistance coefficient K”, and “flow coefficient Cv”.

Pressure losses in a piping system results from a number of system characteristics, which may be categorized as
follows:
1. Pipe friction, which is a function of the surface roughness of the interior pipe wall, the inside diameter of the
pipe, and the fluid velocity, density and viscosity.
2. Changes in direction of flow path.
3. Obstructions in flow path
4. Sudden or gradual changes in the cross-section and shape of flow path.

Velocity in a pipe is obtained at the expense of static head, and decrease in static head due to velocity is:
ℎ =
2
which is defined as the “velocity head”. Flow through a valve or fitting in a pipe line also causes a reduction in static
head which may be expressed in terms of velocity head. The resistance coefficient K in the equation,
ℎ =
2
Therefore, is defined as the number of velocity heads lost due to a valve or fitting. It is always associated with the
diameter in which the velocity occurs.

The resistance coefficient K is therefore considered as being independent of friction factor or Reynolds number, and
may be treated as a constant for any given obstruction (i.e. valve or fitting) in a piping system under all conditions of
flow, including laminar flow.

The same loss in straight pipe is expressed by the Darcy equation,

ℎ =( )
2
It follows that’
=( )
The ration L/D is the equivalent length, in pipe diameters of straight pipe that will cause the same pressure drop as
the obstruction under the same flow conditions. Since the resistance coefficient K is constant for all conditions of
flow, the value of L/D for any given valve or fitting must necessarily vary inversely with the change in friction factor for
different flow conditions.

TIGLAO, BENJAMIN GATDULA Page 67

 Fundamental Concepts in Fluid Mechanics

Contraction and Enlargement

The resistance to flow due to sudden enlargements may be expressed by:

= (1 − )²

and the resistance due to sudden contractions, by:

= 0.5(1 − )

where subscripts 1 and 2 define the internal diameters of the small and large pipes respectively.

Device Coefficients

1. Coefficient of Discharge, - Would occur without losses.

ℎ
= =
ℎ ℎ

Where: = 2 derived from Bernoulli’s Theorem.

= 2

2. Coefficient of Velocity,

= =
ℎ

Where: = 2 = 2

3. Coefficient of Contraction,

ℎ
= =
ℎ

Therefore, the Actual Discharge,

=

=[ ][ ]

TIGLAO, BENJAMIN GATDULA Page 68

 Fundamental Concepts in Fluid Mechanics

16. A 50-mm diameter circular sharp-edged orifice at the side of the tank discharges water under a head of 3.0
m. If the coefficient of contraction = 0.63 and the head lost is 240 mm, compute (a) the actual discharge
in liters per second, (2) the coefficient of velocity and (3) coefficient of discharge .

Solution: Consider the Energy between points 1 and 2:

Compute for theoretical velocity, neglecting losses:

=

+ + = + +
2 2

0+0+3=0+ +0 = 3.0 = 7.672 /

2 2

Compute for the actual velocity, consider the losses:

= +

+ + = + + +ℎ
2 2

0+0+3= 0+ + 0 + 0.24 = 2.76 = 7.359 /

2 2

7.359
= = = = 0.959
ℎ 7.672

= = (0.63)(0.959 = 0.604

= 2 = (0.05 ) (2) 9.81 (3 ) = 0.015 = 15.06

4

TIGLAO, BENJAMIN GATDULA Page 69

 Fundamental Concepts in Fluid Mechanics

17. A calibration test of a 12.5 mm diameter circular sharp-edge orifice in a vertical side of a large tank showed
a discharge of 590N of water in 81 seconds at a constant head of 4.70 m. Measurement of the jet showed
that it travelled 2.35 m horizontally while dropping 300 mm. Compute the three orifice coefficients.

Solution:
Theoretical values:
= 2 = (2)(9.81 )(4.70 ) = 9.603 /

= = (0.0125 ) 9.603 = 0.001178 ³/

4

Actual values:
590
= = = 0.0601 ³
9810 / ³

0.0601 ³
= = = 0.000743 ³/
81

Solve for Actual velocity:

= 2.35
= 0˚
= −0.3
²
= tan −
2 ² ²

9.81 (2.35 )
−3 = (2.35 ) tan 0˚ − = 9.502 /
2 ² ²0˚

Coefficients:
.
1. Velocity, = =
.
= 0.989

.
2. Discharge, = =
.
= 0.631

.
3. Contraction, = =
.
= 0.638

TIGLAO, BENJAMIN GATDULA Page 70