How is friction loss in pipes typically calculated?

Friction loss in pipes is commonly calculated using the Hazen-Williams formula, which is specifically designed for calculating the head loss due to friction in water flow through pipes. This empirical equation takes into account factors such as the diameter of the pipe, the flow rate (velocity of water), and the roughness coefficient, which is representative of the pipe material.

The Hazen-Williams formula is especially useful in the context of water distribution systems, as it provides a straightforward method to estimate pressure losses in various sections of piping based on these parameters. Its applicability to water and the assumption of a turbulent flow make it a popular choice in the design and analysis of water-based systems.

Other methods for calculating friction loss, such as using the Darcy-Weisbach equation, also exist and are valid, but they rely on more parameters and the friction factor calculation can be more complex. The Bernoulli equation is used for energy conservation in fluid flow, but it doesn't explicitly calculate friction loss. Using just pipe diameter and flow rate without a specific formula would not yield accurate results since it lacks the necessary empirical or theoretical framework to account for friction in the system comprehensively.