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Applicability of the Colebrook-White Formula to Represent Frictional Losses in Partially Filled Unsteady Pipeflow
1Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, U.K.
Abstract:
The use of Manning's n as a friction factor is shown to be unsuitable in the case of small bore (less than about one meter diameter) partially filled pipeflow, particularly for relatively smooth materials such as glass and cast-iron. The Colebrook-White equation with the roughness coefficient k is presented in a form suitable for inclusion in a computer program to solve the partially filled unsteady pipeflow equations by means of the method of characteristics. Results are presented which show that the Colebrook-White equation provides substantially improved predictions of the wave velocity along the pipe. It provides slightly improved predictions for the maximum depth of flow along the pipe.
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