This tool will calculate the friction factor for fluid flow in a pipe based on the Reynolds number and relative roughness.
Moody Chart Calculator
The Moody Chart Calculator helps you determine the friction factor (f) for pipe flow based on the diameter (D), velocity (V), density (ρ), viscosity (μ), and relative roughness (ε/D) of the fluid. This value is essential in calculating pressure drops and flow rates in pipes.
How to Use
- Enter the pipe diameter (D) in meters.
- Enter the flow velocity (V) in meters per second.
- Enter the fluid density (ρ) in kilograms per cubic meter.
- Enter the fluid viscosity (μ) in Pascal-seconds.
- Enter the relative roughness (ε/D) of the pipe.
- Click on “Calculate” to get the friction factor.
How It Calculates
The calculator first determines the Reynolds number (Re) with the formula:
Re = (ρ * V * D) / μ
If Re < 2300, the flow is considered laminar, and the friction factor f is calculated using:
f = 64 / Re
For turbulent flows (Re ≥ 2300), the calculator uses an approximation of the Colebrook-white equation to determine f:
f = 1 / (2.0 * log10((ε/D) / 3.7 + 2.51 / (Re * sqrt(f))))^2
Limitations
- Applies to fluid flow in round pipes only.
- Accuracy is limited by the Colebrook equation approximation used for turbulent flows.
- Assumes smooth transition between laminar and turbulent flow regimes at Re = 2300, which may not always be the case in practice.