Resistance coefficient for pipe fittings
Resistance coefficient for pipe fittings
(OP)
I need to determine a resistance coefficient for pipe fittings. The data I found in the web shows different values for resistance coefficient (K). What is the best source providing the most accurate data? Sending a link would be very helpful. Also, do PVC fittings and Steel fittings have different resistance coefficient? If so, then the friction losses in PVC pipe and Steel pipe would be different. Is that correct? Finally, does resistance coefficient depend on pipe schedule? Thank you!





RE: Resistance coefficient for pipe fittings
All that being said, I believe in general there may be little practical effect of even many minor variations of fitting styles, as actual head losses through common fittings are typically quite small numbers, and of course differences between very small numbers are even smaller numbers. Tables of minor loss coefficients have been available for many decades in many references, and I suspect due to their survival most of these coefficients have probably proven adequate for most design purposes (see e.g. contemporary reference http
If you have interest in even more depth, you may also wish to check fitting manufacturers with specific questions, some of whom I know have made some detailed calculations and also ran some tests over the years (of specific configurations) for various purposes.