Report on The validity of Bernoulli's

theorem

Done by.: yoosf al-Rakhmi

ID.No.:202370338

Instructor / Eng.
Sami AL-Asri & Ammar Al-Arifi
 Introduction
Bernoulli's theorem is a fundamental principle in fluid mechanics that describes the relationship
between pressure, velocity, and elevation in a flowing fluid. This experiment aims to verify
Bernoulli's theorem using a hydraulics bench setup with a Venturi tube apparatus. The theorem
states that for an ideal, incompressible, and inviscid fluid in steady flow, the total energy along a
streamline remains constant. However, in practical applications, factors such as viscosity and
turbulence cause energy losses, leading to deviations from the ideal case.

• Objectives
• To experimentally validate Bernoulli's theorem by measuring pressure and velocity
variations in a Venturi tube
• To analyze the relationship between pressure head and velocity head
• To quantify energy losses due to friction and turbulence
• To compare experimental results with theoretical predictions

• Theory
Bernoulli's equation is expressed as:
P/ρg + v²/2g + z = constant
Where:
• P/ρg = pressure head
• v²/2g = velocity head
• z = elevation head
For a horizontal Venturi tube (where z is constant), the equation simplifies to:
P₁/ρg + v₁²/2g = P₂/ρg + v₂²/2g + h_L
Where H_L represents head loss due to friction and turbulence.
• Apparatus
• Hydraulics bench with water pump and flow control system
• Venturi tube with pressure tappings at different sections
• Manometer board for pressure measurement
• Flow measurement device (rotameter or volumetric tank)
• Stopwatch and measuring cylinder (for flow rate verification)

• Procedure
• The Venturi tube was properly installed and leveled on the hydraulics bench
• The pump was started and flow rate was adjusted to the desired value
• Pressure readings were recorded at various sections of the Venturi tube
• Flow rate was measured using both the rotameter and volumetric method
• The procedure was repeated for five different flow rates
 • Calculation & reading
• The area of the pipe is calculated as
𝑨 = 𝝅/𝟒 ∗ (𝒅𝒊𝒂)^𝟐
For example let d=25mm =0.025m
then
A=π/4*(dia)^2= A=π/4*(0.025)^2 = 4.9 *10-4m2
• The flow rate of water is calculated as
𝑸 = 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎/𝒕𝒊𝒎 𝒎𝟑/𝒔 𝒐𝒓 (𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓)
For example tack the time and the volume from table to find the
flow rate at T=48 sec & V= 5 liter
𝑸 = 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎/𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆= 1/48= 0.10416 𝑙/𝑠=10.4 *10-5m3/s
Calculate the velocity of water as Velocity= (volume flow rate)/ (cross sectional area) =
(V/A)
For example let d=25mm ,A= 4.9 *10-4m2 Q=10.4×10^-5
Then the velocity is V=Q/A= 10.4*10-5/4.9 *10-4=0.2124 m/s
Dynamic head losses = (V^2/2g) mm For example, let we tack the velocity at the inlet at
d=25mm & V=0.075m/s Then Dynamic head losses =(V^2/2g)=0.2124^2/2*9.81=2.29 mm
Find the total head losses as H= static head losses + dynamic head losses=h+(V^2/2g)mm
For example let we tack head losses at d=25mm hs =256mm & hd=2.29mm then
Ht=256+2.29=258.29 mm
Find the error of all reading as
𝐸 % = 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 /𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑
= 256 − 258.29/258.39 = 0.89%
 • Data Collection
Table 1 shows sample measurements for a flow rate of 5 L/min:

Flow Probe Fluid Total

Diameter Area Manometer rate Q manometer velocity head Error
Section (mm) (mm²) level(mm) (L/sec) level mm (m/s) losses (%)
1 25.0 490.8 256 247 0.2124 258.29 0.89
2 13.9 151.74 218 244 0.686 241.9 9.8
3 11.9 111.22 199 244 0.9359 243.5 18.27
0.10416
4 10.7 89.9 _ __ 1.157 __
5 10 78.5 _ __ 1.326 __
6 25.0 490.8 174 188 0.2124 176.29 1.3

• Key Observations
• The total head was not constant due to energy losses
• Head loss increased with higher flow rates due to greater turbulence

• Percentage Deviation
The theoretical and experimental values showed a deviation of approximately 8-12%, primarily
due to:
• Frictional losses in the pipe
• Turbulence effects
• Measurement inaccuracies

• Discussion
The experimental results partially validate Bernoulli's theorem:
• The inverse relationship between pressure and velocity was clearly demonstrated
• The total head was not conserved due to real-world effects
• Energy losses became more significant at higher flow velocities
The main sources of error included:
• Minor leaks in the system
• Parallax errors in manometer readings
• Small variations in flow rate during measurements
 • Conclusion
The experiment successfully demonstrated the fundamental principles of Bernoulli's theorem
while highlighting the importance of considering energy losses in practical fluid systems. While
the theorem provides an excellent theoretical foundation, engineers must account for real-world
effects when designing fluid systems. The results showed good agreement with theoretical
predictions, with deviations that can be explained by measurable energy losses.

• Recommendations
• Use digital pressure sensors for more accurate measurements
• Conduct experiments at lower flow rates to minimize turbulence
• Include energy loss calculations using the Darcy-Weisbach equation
• Repeat measurements multiple times to improve accuracy

• References
• Munson, B.R., et al. (2013). Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics. Wiley.
• White, F.M. (2016). Fluid Mechanics. McGraw-Hill.
• Laboratory Manual, Fluid Mechanics Lab, [Your Institution]
Appendix
• Raw data tables
• Sample calculations
• Apparatus calibration details