Darcy-Weisbach Pressure and Head Loss Equation
The Darcy-Weisbach equation can be used to calculate pressure or head loss due to friction in ducts, pipes or tubes
Pressure Loss
The pressure loss (or major loss) in a pipe, tube or duct can be calculated with the Darcy-Weisbach equation
Δp = λ (l / dh) (ρ v2 / 2) (1)
where
Δp = pressure loss (Pa, N/m2)
λ = Darcy-Weisbach friction coefficient
l = length of duct or pipe (m)
v = velocity (m/s)
dh = hydraulic diameter (m)
ρ = density (kg/m3)
Note! - be aware that there are two alternative friction coefficients present in the literature. One is 1/4 of the other and (1) must be multiplied with four to achieve the correct result. This is important to verify when selecting friction coefficients from Moody diagrams. The Colebrook friction coefficient calculator corresponds to equation (1).
The Darcy-Weisbach equation is valid for fully developed, steady state and incompressible flow. The friction factor or coefficient - λ -depends on the flow, if it is laminar, transient or turbulent (the Reynolds Number) - and the roughness of the tube or duct. The friction coefficient can be calculated by the Colebrooke Equation or by using the Moody Diagram.
Online Pressure Loss Calculator
The calculator below, which is based on formula (1), can be used to calculate the pressure loss in a duct, pipe or tube if the velocity of the fluid is known. The default values are for air flow 20oC, 1.2 kg/m3 and 6 m/s. The friction coefficient can be calculated with the Colebrook equation.
This calculator is generic and can be used with SI and Imperial units. Just substitute the values with the values for the actual application.
The calculator below can be used if the volume flow is known
Head Loss
Alternatively, the Darcy-Weisbach equation (1) can also express the head loss as
Δh = λ (l / dh) (v2 / g 2) (2)
where
Δh = head loss (m)
l = length of pipe or duct (m)
dh = hydraulic diameter (m)
v = velocity (m/s)
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s2)
Note! - the head is related to the actual fluid. To express head related to a reference fluid - typical water - use equation (3) below.
The Darcy-Weisbach equation with the Moody diagram are considered to be the most accurate model for estimating frictional head loss in steady pipe flow. Since the approach requires a trial and error iteration process, an alternative less accurate empirical head loss calculation that do not require the trial and error solutions like the Hazen-Williams equation, may be preferred.
Online Head Loss Calculator
Head can be expressed related to a reference fluid by modifying equation (2)
Δhr = λ (l / dh) (v2 / g 2) (ρa / ρr) (3)
ρa = density of the actual fluid (kg/m3)
ρr = density of the reference fluid (kg/m3)
The calculator below, which is based on formula (3), can be used to calculate the head loss in a duct, pipe or tube. The default values used in the calculator are for air flow 20oC, 1.2 kg/m3 and 6 m/s. The default density of water commonly used as reference fluid is 1000 kg/m3. The friction coefficient is calculated with the Colebrook equation.
The calculator is generic and can be used for both SI and Imperial units. Just substitute the values with the values for the actual application.
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