What does the C-Factor indicate?

The C-Factor, also known as the Hazen-Williams roughness coefficient, is an essential parameter in hydraulics that indicates the relative smoothness of a pipe's inside surface. It plays a critical role in calculating the flow of water through pipes, as it influences the friction loss due to the pipe's surface characteristics. A higher C-Factor value indicates a smoother pipe, which allows for a greater flow capacity and lower friction losses, while a lower C-Factor signifies a rougher surface that increases these losses. Understanding the C-Factor is vital for water distribution system design, as it helps operators predict how much pressure is needed to move water through a given pipe system efficiently.

In contrast, the pressure in the pipe, the size of the pipe, and the temperature of the water relate to different aspects of fluid mechanics and system operation, but they do not directly define the C-Factor. The pressure relates to the force of the water within the system, the size of the pipe addresses its diameter, and the temperature of the water affects viscosity and flow, but none of these factors determine the relative smoothness of the pipe's interior.