82

Table 5 : Recommended Roughness Values ks

Source : HR Wallingford et. al. (2006)

Suitable values of ks (mm)
Classification (see note 1)
Good Normal Poor

Smooth Materials (Pipes)

Drawn non-ferrous pipes of aluminium, brass, copper, lead, etc. and non-metallic - 0.003 -
pipes of Alkathene, glass, perspex, uPVC, etc.

Asbestos Cement 0.015 0.03 0.06

Metal
Spun bitumen or concrete lined - 0.03 -
Cast iron, epoxy lining, coupling joints - 0.015 0.03
Ductile iron, polyethylene lining, push-fit joints - 0.06 0.15
Ductile iron, polyurethane lining, push-fit joints 0.015 0.03 0.06
Wrought iron 0.03 0.06 0.15
Rusty wrought iron 0.15 0.6 3.0
Uncoated steel 0.015 0.03 0.06
Rusty steel - 0.15 0.3
Steel, epoxy lining, push-fit joints 0.03 0.06 0.15
Galvanised iron, coated cast iron generally 0.06 0.15 0.3
Uncoated cast iron 0.15 0.3 0.6
Tate relined pipes 0.15 0.3 0.6
152mm x 51mm corrugated plate, unpaved circular pipe, running full 50 60 -
76mm x 25mm corrugated plate, unpaved circular pipe, running full 25 30 -
Old tuberculated water mains as follows :
Slight degree of attack 0.6 1.5 3.0
Moderate degree of attack 1.5 3.0 6.0
Appreciable degree of attack 6.0 15 30
Severe degree of attack 15 30 60
(Good: up to 20 years use; Normal: 40 to 50 years use; Poor : 80 to 100 years
use)

Wood
Wood stave pipes, planed plank conduits 0.3 0.6 1.5

Concrete
Prestressed 0.03 0.06 0.15
Precast concrete pipes with „O‟ ring joints 0.06 0.15 0.6
Spun precast concrete pipes with „O‟ ring joints 0.06 0.15 0.3
Monolithic construction against steel forms 0.3 0.6 1.5
Monolithic construction against rough forms 0.6 1.5 -
 83

Table 5 (Cont'd)

Suitable values of ks (mm)

Classification (see note 1)
Good Normal Poor

Clayware
Glazed or unglazed pipe:
With sleeve joints 0.03 0.06 0.15
With spigot and socket joints and „O‟ ring seals dia < 150mm - 0.03 -
With spigot and socket joints and „O‟ ring seals dia > 150mm - 0.06 -

Pitch Fibre (lower value refers to full bore flow) 0.003 0.03 -

Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) 0.03 0.06 -

uPVC
Twin-walled, with coupling joint 0.003 0.006
Standard, with chemically cemented joints - 0.03 -
Standard, with spigot and socket joints, „O‟ ring seals at 6 m to 9 m intervals - 0.06 -

New Relining of Sewers/Drains

Factory manufactured GRP 0.03 - -

Brickworks
Glazed 0.6 1.5 3.0
Well pointed 1.5 3.0 6.0
Old, in need of pointing - 15 30

Slimed Sewers/Drains (see note 3)

Sewers/drains slimed to about half depth; velocity, when flowing half full,
approximately 0.75 m/s:

Concrete, spun or vertically cast - 3.0 6.0

Asbestos cement - 3.0 6.0
Clayware - 1.5 3.0
uPVC - 0.6 1.5

Sewers/drains slimed to about half depth; velocity, when flowing half full,
approximately 1.2 m/s :

Concrete, spun or vertically cast - 1.5 3.0

Asbestos cement - 0.6 1.5
Clayware - 0.3 0.6
uPVC - 0.15 0.3
 84

Table 5 (Cont'd)

Suitable values of ks (mm)

Classification (see note 1)
Good Normal Poor

Sewer Rising Mains (see note 4)

All materials, operating as follows:
Mean velocity 0.5 m/s 0.3 3.0 30
Mean velocity 0.75 m/s 0.15 1.5 15
Mean velocity 1 m/s 0.06 0.6 6.0
Mean velocity 1.5 m/s 0.03 0.3 1.5
Mean velocity 2 m/s 0.015 0.15 1.5

Concrete Channels
Trowel finish 0.5 1.5 3.3
Float finish 1.5 3.3 5.0
Finished with gravel on bottom 3.3 7.0 18
Unfinished 2.0 7.0 18
Shotcrete, or Gunite, good section 5.0 14 43
Shotcrete, or Gunite, wavy section 10 33 70

Unlined Rock Tunnels

Granite and other homogeneous rocks 60 150 300
Diagonally bedded slates - 300 600

Earth Channels
Straight uniform artificial channels 15 60 150
Straight natural channels, free from shoals, boulders and weeds 150 300 600

Notes :
1. The classifications „Good‟, „Normal‟ and „Poor‟ refer to good,, normal and poor examples of their respective
categories unless otherwise stated. Classifications „Good‟ and „Normal‟ are for new and clean pipelines. The
range of roughness takes account not only of the quality of the jointing but also the variation in surface roughness to
be found in pipes that are normally of the same material.
2. Figures in bold print are the values particularly recommended for general design purposes.
3. The hydraulic roughness of slimed sewers/drains vary considerably during any year. The „Normal‟ value is that
roughness which is exceeded for approximately half of the time. The „Poor‟ value is that which is exceeded,
generally on a continuous basis, for one month of the year. The value of ks should be interpolated for velocities
between 0.75 m/s and 1.2 m/s.
4. The hydraulic roughness of sewer rising mains varies principally with the amount of slime that builds up inside the
pipe and is normally not significantly affected by factors such as the jointing or the construction. Primarily, the
increasing roughness values are intended to cover for the loss of flow area. The „Normal‟ value represents the
mean value of the measured hydraulic roughness while the „Good‟ and „Poor‟ values represent the values which are
two standard deviations on each side of the „Normal‟ value.