Unsteady flow through three-branched pipe configurations has been investigated with the object of finding boundary conditions suitable for use in the analysis of high-amplitude waves using the method of characteristics. The schlieren method and the hydraulic analogy were used to obtain qualitative information about the quasi-steady flow patterns. Quantitative information concerning these patterns was obtained by the measurement of stagnation pressure losses and of the static pressure distribution. Several methods of deriving boundary conditions have been reviewed, and it is considered that those obtained directly by experiment are the most convenient to use.