ColebrookWhiteligningen

ColebrookWhiteligningen is a theoretical framework in fluid dynamics that seeks to unify predictions of friction factors for turbulent pipe flow by extending the Colebrook-White equation to account for heterogeneous roughness, surface processes, and a broader range of fluid rheologies. The name combines the Colebrook-White lineage with ligningen, a term meaning "the equation" in several languages, signaling its role as a compact relation for engineering use.

The model introduces three elements: a generalized roughness descriptor that can vary along the pipe and over time; an adaptive turbulence closure inspired by standard White-type models; and a correction term for non-Newtonian or biofilm-influenced fluids. The friction factor f remains determined implicitly by a single relation, requiring iterative solution much like the classic equation.

In practice, ColebrookWhiteligningen is proposed for academic exploration and specialized computational fluid dynamics studies where conventional models fail to capture surface heterogeneity or biofouling effects. It remains largely theoretical and has not seen widespread industrial adoption due to data requirements, calibration challenges, and sensitivity to input assumptions.

While it has not replaced established correlations, the concept invites discussion on how friction factors could be modeled under more complex surface conditions and flow regimes. Related topics include the Colebrook-White equation, turbulent pipe flow, and friction factors in non-Newtonian fluids.