⚓ Pump Head Loss & Total Dynamic Head Sizing
Calculate total friction and minor losses in piping lines to size pumps and determine motor horsepower.
Total Dynamic Head (TDH) Sizing
Sizing a centrifugal pump requires calculating the **Total Dynamic Head (TDH)**, which is the total pressure equivalent the pump must develop to overcome static elevation difference, friction head loss in pipes, and minor losses in valves, bends, and tees.
Underestimating the head loss leads to a pump operating at a lower flow rate than designed (off-curve operation), causing system bottlenecks and possible cavitation. This page links to our pipe flow solver, which handles water, oil, and custom fluids with full support for minor loss coefficients.
⚓ Calculate TDH & Piping Loss
Launches the solver pre-filled with piping parameters (cast iron pipe, water flow, 90° elbows, valves, and total equivalent length).
Launch Pump Sizing Calculator →Mathematical Formulation
1. Total Dynamic Head (TDH)
$$TDH = h_{static} + h_f + h_m$$Where:
- $h_{static}$ = Static elevation difference between source and discharge [m]
- $h_f$ = Friction head loss in straight pipe [m]
- $h_m$ = Minor head loss in valves and fittings [m]
2. Friction Head Loss ($h_f$) (Darcy-Weisbach)
$$h_f = f \cdot \frac{L}{D} \cdot \frac{V^2}{2g}$$Where $g = 9.81\text{ m/s}^2$ and $f$ is solved iteratively via the Colebrook-White equation for turbulent flows.
3. Pump Hydraulic Power ($P_{hyd}$) and Motor Power ($P_{motor}$)
$$P_{hyd} = \rho \cdot g \cdot Q \cdot TDH$$ $$P_{motor} = \frac{P_{hyd}}{\eta_{pump}}$$Where $Q$ is the volume flow rate [m³/s] and $\eta_{pump}$ is the pump efficiency.