How to Find the Centerline Radius of a Hose

How to Find the Centerline Radius of a Hose

Tools Needed:

  • A flexible measuring tape or a piece of string
  • A ruler or a straight edge
  • A calculator (optional)

Steps:

  1. Prepare the Hose

    Lay the hose out on a flat, level surface. Make sure it’s free of kinks or twists.

  2. Identify the Bend

    Locate the bend or curve in the hose where you want to measure the centerline radius. If the hose is straight, the centerline radius is essentially the length of the hose itself.

  3. Measure the Arc Length

    Use the flexible measuring tape or string to measure the length of the curve (arc) of the hose from the starting point of the bend to the endpoint. If using string, mark the start and end points on the string, then measure the length with a ruler.

  4. Determine the Hose Diameter

    Measure the outer diameter of the hose using a ruler or caliper. This measurement is important because the centerline radius is typically defined from the inside of the hose. If measuring the outer diameter, subtract the wall thickness (if known) to find the inner diameter.

  5. Calculate the Centerline Radius

    The centerline radius is calculated using the formula:

    Centerline Radius = Diameter / 2 + Distance from Center to Outer Edge

    If the hose is uniformly bent, the centerline radius can often be approximated by measuring from the inner curve to the midpoint of the arc.

  6. Confirm with a Diagram (Optional)

    Drawing a simple diagram of the hose with the bend can help visualize and confirm your measurements. Label the centerline radius and the diameter.

  7. Record Your Measurements

    Write down the measurements for future reference, especially if you’re working with multiple hoses or bends.

Example:

If you measured the following:

  • Outer Diameter of the hose: 50 mm
  • Wall Thickness: 5 mm
  • Arc Length: 100 mm
  1. Calculate Inner Diameter

    Inner Diameter = Outer Diameter - 2 × Wall Thickness = 50 mm - 2 × 5 mm = 40 mm
  2. Find Centerline Radius

    Centerline Radius = Inner Diameter / 2 + Distance from Center to Outer Edge

    If the distance from the center to the outer edge is measured to be approximately 10 mm:

    Centerline Radius = 20 mm + 10 mm = 30 mm

Conclusion

Finding the centerline radius of a hose is straightforward with the right measurements. This radius is crucial for ensuring proper installation and performance in your application. Always double-check your measurements for accuracy!

If you are unsure about the centerline radius of our hoses, please refer to the datasheets on our product pages.