Flow through pipes, a core topic in fluid mechanics, describes fluid
movement in closed conduits, primarily categorized as laminar (smooth,
layered, low velocity) or turbulent (chaotic, eddying, high velocity), with a
transitional phase in between, determined by the dimensionless Reynolds
Number (Re). Key factors influencing this flow include pipe diameter, fluid
velocity, viscosity, density, and internal roughness, leading to pressure drops
and energy losses described by equations like the Darcy-Weisbach formula,
affecting everything from water supply to industrial processes
Types of Flow
Laminar Flow: Fluid moves in smooth, parallel layers (streamlines)
with minimal mixing, like cards sliding over each other. Occurs at low
velocities, in smaller pipes, and with viscous fluids.
Turbulent Flow: Fluid moves erratically with cross-currents and
eddies, occurring at higher velocities and in larger pipes.
Transitional Flow: A mix of laminar and turbulent flow, with
turbulence near the center and laminar flow near the walls.
Key Concepts & Factors
Reynolds Number (Re): A crucial dimensionless number (Re =
ρVD/µ) that predicts flow type, where ρ=density, V=velocity,
D=diameter, µ=viscosity.
Velocity Profile: In laminar flow, velocity is highest at the center and
zero at the wall; turbulent flow has a flatter profile.
Boundary Layer: A thin layer near the pipe wall where fluid velocity
slows due to friction, developing as flow progresses.
Head Loss: Frictional resistance causes energy loss
In fluid mechanics, pipe flow is a type of fluid flow within a closed conduit,
such as a pipe, duct or tube. It is also called as Internal flow.[1] The other type
of flow within a conduit is open channel flow. These two types of flow are
similar in many ways, but differ in one important aspect. Pipe flow does not
have a free surface which is found in open-channel flow. Pipe flow, being
confined within closed conduit, does not exert direct atmospheric pressure,
but does exert hydraulic pressure on the conduit.
Not all flow within a closed conduit is considered pipe flow. Storm sewers are
closed conduits but usually maintain a free surface and therefore are
considered open-channel flow. The exception to this is when a storm sewer
operates at full capacity, and then can become pipe flow.
Energy in pipe flow is expressed as head and is defined by the Bernoulli
equation. In order to conceptualize head along the course of flow within a
pipe, diagrams often contain a hydraulic grade line (HGL). The viscous shear
forces in the fluid causes pipe flow to experience frictional losses as defined
by the Darcy-Weisbach formula.
Laminar-turbulence transition
The behavior of pipe flow is governed mainly by the effects of viscosity and
gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow. Depending on the effect of
viscosity relative to inertia, as represented by the Reynolds number, the flow
can be either laminar or turbulent. For circular pipes of different surface
roughness, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of approximately
2000[2] pipe flow will ultimately be laminar, whereas above the critical value
turbulent flow can persist, as shown in Moody chart. For non-circular pipes,
such as rectangular ducts, the critical Reynolds number is shifted, but
3
still ∼ O(10 ) depending on the aspect ratio.[3] Earlier transition to
turbulence, happening at Reynolds number one order of magnitude smaller,
2
i.e. ∼ O(10 ) ,[4] can happen in channels with special geometrical shapes,
such as the Tesla valve.
Flow through pipes can roughly be divided into two:
Laminar flow - see Hagen-Poiseuille flow
Turbulent flow - see Moody diagram
See also
Mathematical equations and concepts
Bernoulli equation
Darcy–Weisbach equation
Torricelli's law
Fields of study
Hydraulics
Fluid Mechanics
Types of fluid flow
Open channel flow
Plug flow
Fluid properties
Viscosity
Fluid phenomena
Head
In fluid mechanics, pipe flow is a type of fluid flow within a closed conduit,
such as a pipe, duct or tube. It is also called as Internal flow.[1] The other type
of flow within a conduit is open channel flow. These two types of flow are
similar in many ways, but differ in one important aspect. Pipe flow does not
have a free surface which is found in open-channel flow. Pipe flow, being
confined within closed conduit, does not exert direct atmospheric pressure,
but does exert hydraulic pressure on the conduit.
Not all flow within a closed conduit is considered pipe flow. Storm sewers are
closed conduits but usually maintain a free surface and therefore are
considered open-channel flow. The exception to this is when a storm sewer
operates at full capacity, and then can become pipe flow.
Energy in pipe flow is expressed as head and is defined by the Bernoulli
equation. In order to conceptualize head along the course of flow within a
pipe, diagrams often contain a hydraulic grade line (HGL). The viscous shear
forces in the fluid causes pipe flow to experience frictional losses as defined
by the Darcy-Weisbach formula.
Laminar-turbulence transition
The behavior of pipe flow is governed mainly by the effects of viscosity and
gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow. Depending on the effect of
viscosity relative to inertia, as represented by the Reynolds number, the flow
can be either laminar or turbulent. For circular pipes of different surface
roughness, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of approximately
2000[2] pipe flow will ultimately be laminar, whereas above the critical value
turbulent flow can persist, as shown in Moody chart. For non-circular pipes,
such as rectangular ducts, the critical Reynolds number is shifted, but
3
still ∼ O(10 ) depending on the aspect ratio.[3] Earlier transition to
turbulence, happening at Reynolds number one order of magnitude smaller,
2
i.e. ∼ O(10 ) ,[4] can happen in channels with special geometrical shapes,
such as the Tesla valve.
Flow through pipes can roughly be divided into two:
Laminar flow - see Hagen-Poiseuille flow
Turbulent flow - see Moody diagram
See also
Mathematical equations and concepts
Bernoulli equation
Darcy–Weisbach equation
Torricelli's law
Fields of study
Hydraulics
Fluid Mechanics
Types of fluid flow
Open channel flow
Plug flow
Fluid properties
Viscosity
Fluid phenomena
Head
In fluid mechanics, pipe flow is a type of fluid flow within a closed conduit,
such as a pipe, duct or tube. It is also called as Internal flow.[1] The other type
of flow within a conduit is open channel flow. These two types of flow are
similar in many ways, but differ in one important aspect. Pipe flow does not
have a free surface which is found in open-channel flow. Pipe flow, being
confined within closed conduit, does not exert direct atmospheric pressure,
but does exert hydraulic pressure on the conduit.
Not all flow within a closed conduit is considered pipe flow. Storm sewers are
closed conduits but usually maintain a free surface and therefore are
considered open-channel flow. The exception to this is when a storm sewer
operates at full capacity, and then can become pipe flow.
Energy in pipe flow is expressed as head and is defined by the Bernoulli
equation. In order to conceptualize head along the course of flow within a
pipe, diagrams often contain a hydraulic grade line (HGL). The viscous shear
forces in the fluid causes pipe flow to experience frictional losses as defined
by the Darcy-Weisbach formula.
Laminar-turbulence transition
The behavior of pipe flow is governed mainly by the effects of viscosity and
gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow. Depending on the effect of
viscosity relative to inertia, as represented by the Reynolds number, the flow
can be either laminar or turbulent. For circular pipes of different surface
roughness, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of approximately
2000[2] pipe flow will ultimately be laminar, whereas above the critical value
turbulent flow can persist, as shown in Moody chart. For non-circular pipes,
such as rectangular ducts, the critical Reynolds number is shifted, but
3
still ∼ O(10 ) depending on the aspect ratio.[3] Earlier transition to
turbulence, happening at Reynolds number one order of magnitude smaller,
2
i.e. ∼ O(10 ) ,[4] can happen in channels with special geometrical shapes,
such as the Tesla valve.
Flow through pipes can roughly be divided into two:
Laminar flow - see Hagen-Poiseuille flow
Turbulent flow - see Moody diagram
See also
Mathematical equations and concepts
Bernoulli equation
Darcy–Weisbach equation
Torricelli's law
Fields of study
Hydraulics
Fluid Mechanics
Types of fluid flow
Open channel flow
Plug flow
Fluid properties
Viscosity
Fluid phenomena
HeadIn fluid mechanics, pipe flow is a type of fluid flow within a
closed conduit, such as a pipe, duct or tube. It is also called
as Internal flow.[1] The other type of flow within a conduit is open
channel flow. These two types of flow are similar in many ways,
but differ in one important aspect. Pipe flow does not have a free
surface which is found in open-channel flow. Pipe flow, being
confined within closed conduit, does not exert direct atmospheric
pressure, but does exert hydraulic pressure on the conduit.
Not all flow within a closed conduit is considered pipe flow. Storm
sewers are closed conduits but usually maintain a free surface
and therefore are considered open-channel flow. The exception to
this is when a storm sewer operates at full capacity, and then
can become pipe flow.
Energy in pipe flow is expressed as head and is defined by
the Bernoulli equation. In order to conceptualize head along the
course of flow within a pipe, diagrams often contain a hydraulic
grade line (HGL). The viscous shear forces in the fluid causes
pipe flow to experience frictional losses as defined by the Darcy-
Weisbach formula.
Laminar-turbulence transition
The behavior of pipe flow is governed mainly by the effects
of viscosity and gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow.
Depending on the effect of viscosity relative to inertia, as
represented by the Reynolds number, the flow can be
either laminar or turbulent. For circular pipes of different surface
roughness, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of
approximately 2000[2] pipe flow will ultimately be laminar,
whereas above the critical value turbulent flow can persist, as
shown in Moody chart. For non-circular pipes, such as rectangular
ducts, the critical Reynolds number is shifted, but still ∼ O(103 )
depending on the aspect ratio.[3] Earlier transition to
turbulence, happening at Reynolds number one order of
2
magnitude smaller, i.e. ∼ O(10 ) ,[4] can happen in channels
with special geometrical shapes, such as the Tesla valve.
Flow through pipes can roughly be divided into two:
Laminar flow - see Hagen-Poiseuille flow
Turbulent flow - see Moody diagram
See also
Mathematical equations and concepts
Bernoulli equation
Darcy–Weisbach equation
Torricelli's law
Fields of study
Hydraulics
Fluid Mechanics
Types of fluid flow
Open channel flow
Plug flow
Fluid properties
Viscosity
Fluid phenomena
Head
In fluid mechanics, pipe flow is a type of fluid flow within a
closed conduit, such as a pipe, duct or tube. It is also called
as Internal flow.[1] The other type of flow within a conduit is open
channel flow. These two types of flow are similar in many ways,
but differ in one important aspect. Pipe flow does not have a free
surface which is found in open-channel flow. Pipe flow, being
confined within closed conduit, does not exert direct atmospheric
pressure, but does exert hydraulic pressure on the conduit.
Not all flow within a closed conduit is considered pipe flow. Storm
sewers are closed conduits but usually maintain a free surface
and therefore are considered open-channel flow. The exception to
this is when a storm sewer operates at full capacity, and then
can become pipe flow.
Energy in pipe flow is expressed as head and is defined by
the Bernoulli equation. In order to conceptualize head along the
course of flow within a pipe, diagrams often contain a hydraulic
grade line (HGL). The viscous shear forces in the fluid causes
pipe flow to experience frictional losses as defined by the Darcy-
Weisbach formula.
Laminar-turbulence transition
The behavior of pipe flow is governed mainly by the effects
of viscosity and gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow.
Depending on the effect of viscosity relative to inertia, as
represented by the Reynolds number, the flow can be
either laminar or turbulent. For circular pipes of different surface
roughness, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of
approximately 2000[2] pipe flow will ultimately be laminar,
whereas above the critical value turbulent flow can persist, as
shown in Moody chart. For non-circular pipes, such as rectangular
ducts, the critical Reynolds number is shifted, but still ∼ O(103 )
depending on the aspect ratio.[3] Earlier transition to
turbulence, happening at Reynolds number one order of
2
magnitude smaller, i.e. ∼ O(10 ) ,[4] can happen in channels
with special geometrical shapes, such as the Tesla valve.
Flow through pipes can roughly be divided into two:
Laminar flow - see Hagen-Poiseuille flow
Turbulent flow - see Moody diagram
See also
Mathematical equations and concepts
Bernoulli equation
Darcy–Weisbach equation
Torricelli's law
Fields of study
Hydraulics
Fluid Mechanics
Types of fluid flow
Open channel flow
Plug flow
Fluid properties
Viscosity
Fluid phenomena
Head
In fluid mechanics, pipe flow is a type of fluid flow within a
closed conduit, such as a pipe, duct or tube. It is also called
as Internal flow.[1] The other type of flow within a conduit is open
channel flow. These two types of flow are similar in many ways,
but differ in one important aspect. Pipe flow does not have a free
surface which is found in open-channel flow. Pipe flow, being
confined within closed conduit, does not exert direct atmospheric
pressure, but does exert hydraulic pressure on the conduit.
Not all flow within a closed conduit is considered pipe flow. Storm
sewers are closed conduits but usually maintain a free surface
and therefore are considered open-channel flow. The exception to
this is when a storm sewer operates at full capacity, and then
can become pipe flow.
Energy in pipe flow is expressed as head and is defined by
the Bernoulli equation. In order to conceptualize head along the
course of flow within a pipe, diagrams often contain a hydraulic
grade line (HGL). The viscous shear forces in the fluid causes
pipe flow to experience frictional losses as defined by the Darcy-
Weisbach formula.
Laminar-turbulence transition
The behavior of pipe flow is governed mainly by the effects
of viscosity and gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow.
Depending on the effect of viscosity relative to inertia, as
represented by the Reynolds number, the flow can be
either laminar or turbulent. For circular pipes of different surface
roughness, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of
approximately 2000[2] pipe flow will ultimately be laminar,
whereas above the critical value turbulent flow can persist, as
shown in Moody chart. For non-circular pipes, such as rectangular
ducts, the critical Reynolds number is shifted, but still ∼ O(103 )
depending on the aspect ratio.[3] Earlier transition to
turbulence, happening at Reynolds number one order of
2
magnitude smaller, i.e. ∼ O(10 ) ,[4] can happen in channels
with special geometrical shapes, such as the Tesla valve.
Flow through pipes can roughly be divided into two:
Laminar flow - see Hagen-Poiseuille flow
Turbulent flow - see Moody diagram
See also
Mathematical equations and concepts
Bernoulli equation
Darcy–Weisbach equation
Torricelli's law
Fields of study
Hydraulics
Fluid Mechanics
Types of fluid flow
Open channel flow
Plug flow
Fluid properties
Viscosity
Fluid phenomena
Head
