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Determination of Value of 'f' from Moody's Chart | Hydraulics

 Moody's Diagram (or Moody's Chart)



Fig: Moody's diagram for the friction factor 'f' for commercial pipes-I



L.F. Moody has plotted the equation as shown in above figures, commonly known as 'Moody Diagram' which is essentially the same as thet of Nikuradse's plot except for the transition regions. So, 'Moody chart' is the chart of friction factor 'f' versus 'Re' curves for various values of 'R/k'.
For any turbulent pipe flow problem the value of friction factor (f) can therefore be determined from
Moody's Diagram  if the numerical values of 'R/k' for the pipe and 'Re' of flow are known. The values of 'k' which may be adopted for the pipes of some of the common materials are given below


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Fig: Moody's diagram for friction factor 'f' for commercial pipes-II



The value of Equivalent sand grain roughness (k)' given in Table 1-2 correspond to material in new and clean condition. As the pipe become older, the roughness increases may increase with time in accordance with following expression



Where, k= Equivalent sand grain roughness at any time 't', Equivalent sand grain roughness of new pipe material and a = Time rate of increase of roughness.

Salient features of Moody's Diagram

a) Laminar flow (Re<2000)

Friction factor (f) is a function of 'Re' only


b)                Critical zone (2000<Re<4000)

Flow in this zone is either laminar or turbulent (i.e. oscillatory flow that alternately exists between laminar and turbulent flow). There is no any specific relationship between 'f 'and 'Re' in this zone.


c)                Transition zone (Re>4000)

For 'k/D < 0.001 ' and certain ranges of 'Re' in this zone, the roughness elements are submerged in the viscous sub-layer, and the flow can be considered to be smooth pipe flow. In this zone, T is a function of both 'Re' and 'k/D'.


d)                Complete turbulent zone (Re>4000)



In this zone, average roughness height is substantially greater than the viscous wall layer thickness. As 'Re' is high, the head loss is also higher due to the extra turbulence caused by projections. The friction factor (f) is a function of 'k/D' only and is independent of 'Re'. The horizontal lines indicate that friction factor (D does not change with 'Re', that means viscosity does not affect the head loss in this zone.


Determination of Value of 'f' from Moody Chart:



(i)               Mark the value of 'Re' =VD/v on the abscissa (i.e. Re - axis)

(ii)             For the given value of 'k/D', mark the point of intersection of 'Re' with 'k/D'. To find the intersection point, draw vertical line from 'Re' and follow curve path from 'k/D'. If 'k/D' curve is not available for given value of 'k/D', draw a curve by following the trend of nearby curve.

iii) Draw a horizontal line from the point of intersection of 'Re' and 'k/D' to ordinate (i.e. f- axis) 

(iv)               Finally, read the value of friction factor (D from the chart.



                                                 Flow chart of Friction factor (f)

Flow chart for friction factor 'f'




Friction factor (f) can be calculated either from Resistance Equations or by using Moody Chart as in Figure. When Moody Chart is not given then use the Resistance Equations to calculate the friction factor (f).



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