Square Tubing vs Round Pipe

[PMarinshaw]

What experience does anyone have in the consideration of a square cross-sectioned conduit instead of circular. I'm in the area of precise fluid flow measurement by differential head devices. Specifically I am interrested in any references or articles I might review that discuss velocity profiles, frictional losses, etc. of square tube vs circular pipe.

 

[unclesyd]

Not saying there isn't some in service but in 45 years I've seen only 1 square cross section in a fluid flow. It was in a regulating gas valve.

I've seen equations for square duct work but not pressure piping. If you are talking duct there are plenty of references available.

Do you have someone that will make a square cross section with the required Code materials? This would have to be approved. Hard to do.

 

[ornerynorsk]

unclsyd is right, stick with round. The reasons: huge variety of material availability, easier bending and fabricating, all current fittings available are for round, round has greater strength than the equal size and wall thickness of square, which all translates into COST!