Evaluation of relative roughness of PVC pipes for dimensioning the water distribution networks

ABSTRACT:

This study aimed at determining the relative roughness of PVC pipes and evaluating its influence on dimensioning the water distribution networks, according to the requirements of the Brazilian regulations NBR 5647-1:2004 and 5647-3:1999. The evaluations were conducted for three samples of new pipes of DN 50, 75 and 100, besides double testimonies of DN 50 and 75, which were taken from the field after 10 and 34 years of use, respectively. In the new pipes, the relative roughness ranged from 5.416 E-05±0.834 E-5 to 6.125 E-4±0.756 E-4. The used pipes ranged from 4.853 E-04±3.221 E-4 to 1.056 E-03±0.419 E-3. These amounts of relative roughness did not influence the friction factor determination when calculated through Swamee-Jain equation.

Keywords:
water distribution network; regulatory requirements; relative roughness