The value of the Hydraulic Institute Engineering Data Book lies in its specific cataloging of physical data. While the table of contents varies by edition, the following sections are universally considered the "core four."

The Hydraulic Institute Engineering Data Book is not flashy. It has no glossy photos or influencer endorsements. But it has something better: trust earned through decades of real-world use.

In a field where a pump failure can cost $50,000 per hour, guessing is not an option. The Data Book gives you the confidence to stop guessing and start knowing.

So next time you see an old-timer reach for that battered blue-and-white volume, don’t smirk at the analog relic. Recognize it for what it is: a masterpiece of practical engineering, still quietly saving the day — one pump curve at a time.


Would you like a summary of key tables from the Data Book, or a comparison with other standards like the Cameron Hydraulic Data book?


One of the most utilized features of the Engineering Data Book is the methodology for correcting pump performance for viscous fluids.

When a pump designed for water (specific gravity 1.0, viscosity 1.0 cSt) is used to pump oil (viscosity > 50 cSt), internal hydraulic friction increases. This results in:

The Data Book provides a graphical chart where the engineer enters the water performance data ($Q$, $H$, and efficiency) and uses correction factors ($C_Q$, $C_H$, $C_E$) derived from the chart to plot a new "viscous" pump curve. This is essential for industries such as petrochemicals and food processing.