Friction Factors for Pipe Flow

TLDR

Fluid‑friction research in hydrodynamics has expanded rapidly, with key contributions from Prandtl, Tietjens, Rouse, Bakhmeteff, and many others. The paper offers a simple, practical method for engineers to estimate pipe friction factors for head‑loss calculations in clean, new, or fully flowing conduits. It consolidates accepted conclusions into an engineering‑friendly format, without claiming novelty.

Abstract

Abstract The object of this paper is to furnish the engineer with a simple means of estimating the friction factors to be used in computing the loss of head in clean new pipes and in closed conduits running full with steady flow. The modern developments in the application of theoretical hydrodynamics to the fluid-friction problem are impressive and scattered through an extensive literature. This paper is not intended as a critical survey of this wide field. For a concise review, Professor Bakhmeteff’s (1) small book on the mechanics of fluid flow is an excellent reference. Prandtl and Tietjens (2) and Rouse (3) have also made notable contributions to the subject. The author does not claim to offer anything particularly new or original, his aim merely being to embody the now accepted conclusions in convenient form for engineering use.