Minor Losses

Minor Loss — Gradual Contraction

Head loss in a conical reducer where the pipe contracts gradually over a cone angle θ (total included angle). Losses are small for well-shaped reducers.

Formula

h_L = K(θ) · V₂² / (2g)

Total cone angle, θ

Velocity downstream, V2m/s

Resultlive

Loss coefficient, K: 0.050
Head loss, hL: 0.010194m

Reference: Typical reducer K values; gradual reducers produce small losses compared with sudden contractions.