Which formula is used to calculate friction head loss?

The Hazen-Williams Formula is specifically designed to calculate friction head loss in water flow through pipes. It accounts for the flow characteristics of water, including its velocity and the roughness of the pipe material. This formula enables operators to estimate the head loss due to friction accurately, which is crucial in designing and maintaining efficient water distribution systems.

While the Darcy-Weisbach Formula also addresses friction head loss and is applicable to various fluids, it requires the determination of a friction factor that can be complex and situation-dependent. The Continuity Equation, on the other hand, deals with the conservation of mass and flow rates in a system but does not calculate head loss. Bernoulli’s Equation describes the relationship between pressure, velocity, and height in fluid dynamics, but does not specifically focus on the friction losses. Thus, when calculating friction head loss in the context of water distribution systems, the Hazen-Williams Formula is the most appropriate and widely used choice.