irrigation systems design

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Irrigation Systems Design By Asher Azenkot M.Sc. Ministry of Agriculture Extension Service Field Service Sunday, April 18, 2004

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Page 1: Irrigation Systems Design

Irrigation Systems Design

By

Asher Azenkot M.Sc. Ministry of Agriculture

Extension Service Field Service

Sunday, April 18, 2004

Page 2: Irrigation Systems Design

Table of content

Water Flow in a Pipe................................................................................................................3

Hydrostatic .............................................................................................................................10

Pressure Head.........................................................................................................................13

Total Head..............................................................................................................................14

Energy Head Loss in a Pipe (friction)....................................................................................16

Local Head Loss.....................................................................................................................25

Lateral Pipe ............................................................................................................................26

Characteristics of a Lateral Pipe ............................................................................................27

Calculating the Head Loss Along lateral Pipe .......................................................................29

A Lateral Inlet Pressure..........................................................................................................32

A Lateral Laid out on a Slope ................................................................................................33

"The 20% Rule" .....................................................................................................................35

Three Alternatives in Designing the Irrigation System .........................................................38

Design of a Manifold .............................................................................................................47

Distribution of pressure head and water in a subplot.............................................................47

Design of Irrigation System ...................................................................................................50

2

Page 3: Irrigation Systems Design

Introduction

The layout of pressure irrigation systems depends mainly on the type of the crop, its value, rotation, soil texture, weather, and cost of the selected system (the cost of an alternative layout or technology is also taken in account). As a result, there isn’t any simple “menu” that anyone can follow. It is especially difficult with the selection of a proper irrigation technology for use. Countries with different climates may use different irrigation technology and layout for the same crop. While the hydraulic principles for selecting proper pipes are common to any type of irrigation system anywhere. This publication deals only with practical methods for designing of any pressure irrigation system.

Water Flow in a Pipe

Commercial pipes, which are in used in a pressure irrigation system, are made of different materials. Lately, plastic pipes have become very popular in agriculture. However, there isn’t an agreement between countries with regard to the term which is used to indicate the diameter of the pipe, either mm or inch.

⇒ The diameter of a commercial pipe is usually defined by:

◊ Inche – which indicates the internal diameter, and sometimes the external.

◊ mm - which indicates the external diameter.

D

⇒ The cross-section area of a pipe is calculated by:

A R R D= ⊗ =

⊗=

⊗π π π22 22

4 4( )

A = internal cross section area

D = internal diameter of a pipe.

R = internal radius of a pipe.

3

Page 4: Irrigation Systems Design

Example: What is the internal cross section area of a PVC pipe, if the external diameter of the pipe is

200 mm and the thickness of the pipe wall is 2.4 cm.

Answer: D (Internal) = 20 cm - (2 x 2.4) = 15.2 cm

The internal cross section area of the pipe is as follows:

A c=⊗

=π 152

418136

22. . m

Velocity of water flow

The velocity of water flow in a pipe is as follows:

tLV =

L (distance) = the distance of the water flow is expressed by meter or cm

t (time) = the time is expressed by hour or second

The recommended range for water velocity in a commercial pipe is 0.6 – 2.5 m/sec. However, every type of pipe has a specific recommended velocity range.

Water flow rate

The water flow rate in a pipe is as follows:

A V

Q = A x V

Q = Water flow rate (m3/h or cm3/sec).

A = Cross section area of a pipe (m2 or cm2).

V = Water flow velocity (m/h or cm/sec).

4

Page 5: Irrigation Systems Design

⇒ To convert the flow rate units from cm3/sec to m3/h or vice versa is as follows:

Q cm Q m h

Q m h Q cm

( / sec) ( / ),

( / ) ( / sec) ,

33 6

33

6

103 600

3 60010

=⊗

=⊗

⇒ The water flow rate in a continuous pipe is constant throughout the pipe regardless of any diameter change.

Q = A1 x V1 = A2 x V2 = A3 x V3 = Const.

Therefore, the change in water flow velocity is as follows:

VV

AA

DD

DD

1

2

2

1

22

12

22

12

44

= =⊗ +

⊗ +=

( )( )ππ

Example: What is the water flow velocity? Assuming that the water flow rate in an 8" (20 cm) pipe is

100 m3/h?

Answer: To find out the water flow velocity in a cm3/sec unit is as follows:

a. The water flow rate is converted from a meter (m3/h) to centimeter (cm3/sec) units.

Q m h m=⊗

=100 10

3 60027 780

3 63( / )

,, / sec

b. The cross section area of the pipe is as follows:

D = 8" x 2.5 = 20 cm

A D cm=⊗

=⊗

=π π2 2

24

204

314 2.

5

Page 6: Irrigation Systems Design

c. The water flow velocity is as follows:

Q A V V QA

cm= ⊗ ⇒ = = =27 780314 2

88 4,.

. / sec

To find out the water flow velocity in a meter (m3/h) unit is as follows:

a. The pipe diameter is: D = 8" x 2.5 = 20 cm ⇒ 0.2 m

b. The pipe cross section area is 22

0314.04

2.0 mA =⊗

c. The water flow velocity is as follows:

V QA

m h m= = = ⇒ =100

0 03143184 7 3184 7

3 600088

.. / .

,. / sec

Example: What is the diameter of a commercial pipe? Assuming that the water flow rate is 360 m3/h

(1587 GPM) and the allowed water velocity is up to 1 m/sec.

Answer:

a. The water flow rate is converted from meter to centimeter units as follows:

sec/000,100600,3

10360 36

cmQ =⊗

=

b. The water flow velocity is converted from meter to centimeter units as follows:

1 m/sec = 100 cm/sec

c. The pipe cross-section area is as follows:

2000,1100

000,100 cmVQA ===

6

Page 7: Irrigation Systems Design

d. The internal pipe diameter is as follows:

"8.145.27.357.35000,122

44

22

=⇒=⊗=⊗=

⊗=⇒

⊗=

cmAD

ADDA

ππ

ππ

Since commercial pipes are available in specific sizes, therefore a 16" pipe is selected.

Example: If the water flow velocity in an 8" (20 cm) pipe is 88.5 cm/sec, then:

a. What is the water flow rate?

b. What will be the water flow velocity, if the diameter of the pipe is reduced by half?

Answer: The cross-section area of the two pipes is as follows:

2

2

2

22

1

5.78410

314420

cmA

cmA

=⊗

=

=⊗

=

π

π

a. The water flow rate is as follows:

Q A V cm

Q m h

= ⊗ = ⊗ =

=⊗

=

1 13

63

885 314 27 80027 800 3 600

10100

. ,, , /

/ sec

The water flow rate is 100 m3/h (440 GPM)

b. The water flow velocity in a 4" (10 cm) pipe is as follows:

Q A V V QA

cm m

or

VV

DD

V V DD

cm m

= ⊗ ⇒ = = = ⇒

= ⇒ =⊗

=⊗

= ⇒

2 2 22

2

1

12

22 2

1 12

22

2

2

27 800785

354 354

885 2010

354 354

,.

/ sec . / sec

. / sec . / sec

The flow velocity in 4" (10 cm) pipe is 3.54 m/sec.

7

Page 8: Irrigation Systems Design

Example: An 8" (20 cm) pipe was installed from A to C, and a 2" (5 cm) pipe was hooked up in

between (B).

A B (5cm) V C

What is the water flow rate and velocity out of B? If the water flow velocity between A to B is 1.5 m/sec and from B to C is 0.9 m/sec.

Answer: The cross section areas of an 8" (20 cm) and a 2" (5 cm) pipe are as follows:

A c1

2220

4314=

⊗=

π m

A c2

225

419 6=

⊗=

π m.

The water flow rates between A to B and B to C are as follows:

AB -

)623(/5.16910

600,3100,47

sec/100,47150314

361

3111

GPMhmQ

cmVAQ

⇒=⊗

=

=⊗=⊗=

BC -

)374(/7.10110

600,3300,28

sec/260,2890314

361

3112

GPMhmQ

cmVAQ

⇒=⊗

=

=⊗=⊗=

8

Page 9: Irrigation Systems Design

The water flow rate out of B is as follows:

Q3 = 47,100 - 28,260 = 18,840 cm3/sec

)248(/82.6710

600,3840,18 363 GPMhmQ ⇒=⊗

=

The water flow velocity out of B is as follows:

sec/6.9sec/2.9616.19

840,1832

32 mcm

AQ

VVAQ ====⇒⊗=

Example: What is the maximum water flow rate in an 8" (20 cm), 12" (25 cm), 14" (30 cm), 16" (35

cm) and 18" (40 cm) asbestos cement pipe, assuming that the maximum recommended water flow velocity for an asbestos cement pipe is 3 m/sec?

Answer:

D inch A cm2 V cm/sec Q cm3/sec Q m3/h GPM

20 314 300 94,200 339 1,243

25 491 300 147,300 530 1,943

30 707 300 212 100 764 2,801

35 962 300 288,600 1,040 3,813

40 1 257 300 377,100 1,358 4,979

9

Page 10: Irrigation Systems Design

Hydrostatic

The pressure of liquid on the internal pipe surface area is always perpendicular to the surface.

P

Pressure: The force of liquid on a surface area is the pressure, which is defined as follows:

AFP =

P - bar (or psi)

F - kg (or lb)

A - cm2 (or sq. inch)

Example: A 12" (30 cm) valve is attached to a pipe with twelve flange bolts. What is the force on each

of the bolts when the valve is closed, and the upstream water pressure is 10 atmosphere?

Answer:

The valve cross-section area is:

kgf

kgAPFAFP

cmA

04.58912

7068

70688.70610

8.706430 2

2

==

=⊗=⊗=⇒=

=⊗

The force on each of the bolts is 589.04 kg.

10

Page 11: Irrigation Systems Design

Example: A diaphragm valve can be used also as a pressure regulator. In such case what will be the

required pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm valve (see diagram), when the upstream pressure is 10 atmosphere and down stream is 6 atmosphere, and the surface areas of different parts of the valve are as follows: diaphragm = 300 cm2, seal disk = 80 cm2 and the shaft = 5 cm2. The weight of the closing system (diaphragm, seal and shaft) is 20 kg.

Answer: The valve diagram and the forces are as follows:

Diaphragm 6at. 10 at F4 W

F3 F2 F1

The opening forces to keep the valve open are as follows:

F1 = The upstream force on the closing disk is as follows:

F1 = A x P = 80 x 10 = 800 kg

F2 = The force to move the diaphragm upward is as follows:

F2 = A x P = (300 - 5) x 6 = 1770 kg

The total forces to keep the valve open is as follows:

F1 + F2 = 800 + 1770 = 2570 kg

The forces to shut off the valve are as follows:

W = 20 kg

F3 = A x P = (80 - 5) x 6 = 450 kg

F4 = ?

11

Page 12: Irrigation Systems Design

The total forces on both sides are equal:

F4 + F3 + W = F1 + F2

Therefore, the required force on the upper side of the diaphragm is as follows:

F4 = F1 + F2 - F3 - W = 800 + 1770 - 450 - 20 = 2100 kg

The pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm is as follows:

P FA

atmosphere= = =2 100300

7,

Example: What is the pressure at the bottom of 10-meter water tank?

10 m

The volume of a ten-meter column over one square cm is as follows:

V = 1,000 cm x 1 cm2 = 1,000 ml ⇒ 1 kg

The pressure at the bottom of this column is as follows:

.111

2 atcmkg

AFP ===

12

Page 13: Irrigation Systems Design

Pressure Head

Water pressure can also be defined in meters rather than atmosphere or psi as follows:

H P=γ

H = pressure head (meters)

P = atmosphere

γ = specific weight (kg/cm3)

Example: What is the pressure head of one atmosphere?

Answer:

P = 1 atmosphere

γ = for water ⇒ 0.001 kg/cm3

H p cm m= = = ⇒γ

10 001

1 000 10.

,

1 atmosphere = 10 m of pressure head

13

Page 14: Irrigation Systems Design

Total Head

The total head of water anywhere along the pipe depends on the difference of elevation, pressure, and water velocity.

ZP V

gZ

P Vg1

1 12

22 2

2

2 2+ + = + +γ γ

Z = The relative elevation of the water (m or cm).

= The pressure head of the water (m or cm).

Vg

2

2= The water velocity head (m or cm).

◊ The total head is equal throughout the water body (Bernuli rule).

Example: Assuming water is pumped out of a river at 20 meters above sea level (A) to a field at (B) 37

meters above sea level. The water is delivered at 10-atmosphere pressure. What is the water pressure at the head of the field (B)?

Answer: At a point A: Z1 = 20 m (2,000 cm), P1 = 10 at

At a point B: Z2 = 37 m, P2 = ?

Assuming that the diameter of the pipe is the same, therefore:

V1 = V2

atmospherecmZPZP

PZPZ

3.8300,8001.0)700,3001.010000,2()( 2

112

22

11

⇒=⊗−+=⊗−+=

+=+

γγ

γγ

or

37 m (B) - 20 m (A) = 17 m

10 at. ⇒ 10 at x 10 = 100 m (head)

100 m – 17 m = 83 m ⇒ 8.3 atmosphere

Example:

14

Page 15: Irrigation Systems Design

A 5,000-meter long pipe was installed from a cistern (A) down the hill (1.2% slope). What is the pressure of water (static) at points B, C, D, and E?

In case of:

AB = 100 meters

AC = 1,300 meters

AD = 2,600 meters

AE = 5,000 meters

The static pressure of water is equal to the difference elevation along the pipe.

H m

H m

H m

H m

AB

Ac

AD

AE

= ⊗ = ⇒

= ⊗ = ⇒

= ⊗ = ⇒

= ⊗ = ⇒

12100

100 12 012

12100

1 300 156 156

12100

2 600 312 312

12100

5 000 60 0 6 0

. . .

. , . .

. , . .

. , . .

atm

atm

atm

atm

15

Page 16: Irrigation Systems Design

Energy Head Loss in a Pipe (friction)

The energy loss (or head loss) in pipes due to water flow (friction) is proportional to the pipe’s length.

J HL

=∆

J = The head loss in a pipe is usually expressed by either % or ‰ (part per thousand).

J H

L

J

%

,

= ⊗

100

1 000‰ = HL

⇒ The head loss due to friction is calculated by Hazen-Williams equation:

J QC

D

or

J VC

D

= ⊗ ⊗

= ⊗ ⊗

1131 10

2 16 10

12 1 852 4 87

7 1 852 1 85

. ( )

. ( )

.

. . 2

.

J = head loss is expressed by ‰.

Q = flow rate is expressed by m3/h.

V = flow velocity m/sec.

D = diameter of a pipe is expressed by mm.

C = (Hazen-Williams coefficient) smoothness of the internal pipe, (the range for a commercial pipe is 100 - 150).

Table: C coeficient for different type of pipe.

Type Condition C Plastic 150 Cement asbestos 140 Aluminum with coupler every 9 m 130 Aluminum with coupler every 12 m 140 Galvanized steel 130 Steel new 130 Steel 15 years old 100 Lead 140 Copper 130 Internal covered with

cement 140 - 150

16

Page 17: Irrigation Systems Design

As every one can guess, such tedious work using the Hazen-Williams equation to calculate the friction head loss is not so practical, unless a computer is used or A slide ruler or monograph based on the Hazen-Williams principle. Monograph is more practical and common (see appendix), however it is not so accurate as precise calculation.

The Hazen-Williams equation was developed for pipes larger than 75 mm in diameter. For a smaller pipe or smooth-walled pipe (such as a plastic pipe) Hazen-Williams equation with a C value of 150 underestimates the friction head losses. While Darcy-Weisbach equation estimates better the head loss for such pipes. The equation in used to evaluate the head loss gradient in a plastic pipe less than 125 mm (5 in.) in diameter is as follows:

75.4

75.16

% 1038.8DQJ ⊗=

J = head loss is expressed by %

Q = m3/h

D = inside pipe diameter, mm.

For larger plastic pipes where the diameter is wider than 125 mm (5 in.), the friction head loss gradient can be found out by:

83.4

83.16

% 1019.9DQJ ⊗=

J = head loss is expressed by %

Q = m3/h

D = inside pipe diameter, mm.

Example: What is the total head loss due to a friction in case of water flow rate of 140 m3/h (617

GPM) and C = 130 which flows through two sections of pipes? First section of an 8” (20 cm) pipe is 1,300 meters long (4,264 ft.), and second section of 6” pipe (15 cm) is 350 meters long (1,148 ft).

Answer The hydraulic gradient as a result of friction head loss in the case of Q = 140 m3/h, C = 130

is (from a slide ruler or diagram): for 8" – 8.1 ‰ and for 6" – 32.8 ‰.

mH

mH

LJHLHJ

5.11000,1

3508.32

53.10000,1

300,11.8000,1

000,1

"6

"8

=⊗

=∆

=⊗

=∆

⊗=∆⇒⊗

∆=

17

Page 18: Irrigation Systems Design

The total head loss is as follows:

mHHH 0.225.115.10"6"8 =+=∆+∆=∆

Example: A pump is located at elevation of 94 meters (308 ft.). The water is delivered out of the pump

from a river to a banana field at elevation of 125 meters (410 ft.) and 750 meters away. The water requirement is 250 m3/h (1,100 GPM) at 4 atmospheres (57 psi) pressure. The two sites are connected by a 10” pipe (C = 130). What is the minimum pressure requirement by the pump?

Answer: The hydraulic gradient due to friction for Q = 250 m3/h, 10” pipe and C = 130, can be

calculated either by using a table, monograph, a slide ruler or by Hazen-Williams equation. The gradient is J = 7.4 ‰. Therefore, the head loss due to friction along 750-meter pipe is as follows:

750 m

D = 10”

Z = 94 m Q = 250 m3/h

18

Z = 125 mP = 4 at.

Page 19: Irrigation Systems Design

mLJHLHJ 5.5

000,17504.7

000,1000,1 =

⊗=

⊗∆⇒⊗

∆=

The water pressure requirement is as follows:

atP

P

Hg

VPZg

VPZ

65.7001.0)400,9550000,4500,12(

550001.04500,12

001.0400,9

2001.02001.0

1

1

222

2

211

1

=⊗−++=

++=+

∆+++=++

It is also possible to calculate the pressure requirement by taking into account separately the difference in elevation, friction and pressure:

The difference in elevation between the pump and the field is as follows:

125 - 94 = 31m

The total head loss due to difference in elevation and friction is as follows:

31 + 5.5 = 36.5 m

The pump pressure requirement is as follows:

P = 36.5 + 40 = 76.5 m ⇒ 7.6.5 at

19

Page 20: Irrigation Systems Design

Example: The layout of an irrigation system is as follows:

B (Z=196m)

L=200m

L=900 m D=6” C (Z=180m)

A D=10”

Pump Q= 300 m3/h Z = 172 m

The pump delivers 300 m3/h (1322 GPM) at 6-atmosphere pressure. The water flow rate out of B is 200 m3/h (882 GPM). What are the pressures at points B and C?

Answer: For A-B section

The head loss due to friction for a 10” pipe (C = 130) and Q = 300 m3/h can be calculated by a table, a slide ruler or by Hazen-Williams equation, which is J = 11.2 ‰.

The head loss due to friction for a 900 meters long pipe is as follows:

mLJHLHJ 1.10

000,19002.11

000,1000,1 =

⊗=

⊗=∆⇒⊗

∆=

The difference elevation between A to B is:

172 - 196 = -24 m

Therefore the water pressure at point B is:

60 – 10.1 -24 = 25.9 m ⇒ 2.59 at

20

Page 21: Irrigation Systems Design

For B-C section

The head loss due to friction for a 6” pipe (C = 130) and Q = 100 m3/h, can be calculated by a table, monograph, a slide ruler or by Hazen-Williams equation, which is J = 17.6 ‰.

The actual head loss due to friction for a 200 meters long pipe is as follows:

mLJHLHJ 5.3

000,12006.17

000,1000,1 =

⊗=

⊗∆⇒⊗

∆=

The elevation difference between B to C is: 196 - 180 = 16 m

Therefore the water pressure at point C is as follows:

26.1 +16 - 3.5 = 38.4 m ⇒ 3.84 atmosphere

Or for B to C section is as follows:

ZP V

gZ

P VHB

B bc

c c+ + = + + +0 001 2 0 001 0 001

2 2

. . .∆

The head loss due to velocity is as follows:

A m

Q A V V QA

m

Vg g

m

A m

Q A V V QA

m

Vg g

m

10

22

10

2 2

6

22

6

2 2

0 254

0 049

3000 049 3 600

17

2172

0147

0154

0 0176

1000 0176 3 600

157

2157

20126

"

"

"

"

. .

. ,. / sec

. .

. .

. ,. / s

. .

=⊗

=

= ⊗ ⇒ = =⊗

=

= =

=⊗

=

= ⊗ ⇒ = =⊗

=

= =

π

π

ec

21

Page 22: Irrigation Systems Design

The difference head velocity is: 0.147 - 0.126 = 0.021 m ⇒ 0.0021 atmosphere, which can be ignored, therefore:

atmosphereP

P

HPZPZ

c

c

cc

BB

85.3001.0)350000,18001.06.2600,19(

350001.0

000,18001.06.2600,19

001.0001.0

=⊗−−+=

++=+

∆++=+

Example: A 300 meters (984 ft.) long 10” pipe (C = 130) connects a cistern (A) at an elevation of 30

meters (98 ft.) to a booster (B) at sea level, and from there to another cistern (C) 2200 meters (7,216 ft.) away at elevation of 180 meters (590 ft.). The booster pump generates 17 atmospheres pressure. What is the water flow rate?

Answer

C

A

B (booster)

Z = 0 m

The water pressure at A and C points is 0 (an open tank).

The water pressure just before the booster is as follows:

ABB

ABB

ABBBA

hH

hH

hHZZ

∆−=

∆++=

∆++=

30

030

1

1

1

22

Page 23: Irrigation Systems Design

The pressure just after the booster pump is as follows:

ABB

ABB

hH

hH

∆−=

+∆−=

200

17030

2

2

For B-C section

20180200

0180)200(0

2

=−=∆+∆

∆++=∆−+

∆++=+

ABBC

BCAB

BCCcBB

hh

hh

hHZHZ

The total pipe length is as follows:

300 + 2200 = 2500 meters

The head loss due to friction is as follows:

J hL

= ⊗ = ⊗ =∆ 1 000 20

2 5001 000 8‰,

,,

The water flow rate can be calculated by a table, monograph, a slide ruler or by Hazen-Williams equation based on J = 8 ‰ and D = 10": which is 250 m3/h.

Or

The elevation difference between C and A is as follows:

30 - 180 = -150 meters

The pump pressure is: +170 meters

The head difference (between A to C) is as follows:

170 - 150 = 20 meters

23

Page 24: Irrigation Systems Design

Therefore, the hydraulic gradient is as follows:

J hL

= ⊗ = ⊗ =∆ 1 000 20

2 5001 000 8‰,

,,

The water flow rate can be calculated by a table, a slide ruler or by Hazen-Williams equation based on J = 8 ‰ D = 10" as follows:

13

)852.1/1(87.412

852.187.412

87.4852.112

87.4852.112

43.259

)25410131.1

8(130

)130

(25410131.1

8

254)130

(10131.18

)(10131.1

=

=⊗⊗

=⊗⊗

⊗⊗=

⊗⊗=

hmQ

Q

Q

Q

DCQJ

The flow rate is 259.43 m3/h.

24

Page 25: Irrigation Systems Design

Local Head Loss

The local head loss due to a local disturbance in water flow is proportional to the head velocity. This disturbance in water flow happens anywhere equipment is attached to the system, such as a valve, filter, and pressure regulator and also in elbow and connection junction. The local head loss is calculated as follows:

g

VKh2

2

⊗=∆

K is a constant and it’s value depends on the way the equipment is made of (see catalogue).

Example: A 12" valve (K = 2.5) is installed in 1,250 meters long pipe (12” and C = 130). What is the

total head loss due to the valve and the pipe when the water flow rate is = 100, 200 and 400 m3/h?

Answer:

A m12

220 3

40 07=

⊗=

π . .

Q (m3/h) 100 200 400

Velocity (m/sec) 0.39 0.78 1.57

V2/2g 0.01 0.03 0.13

Local head loss (m) 0.02 0.08 0.31

J ‰ (12" pipe) 0.5 1.9 7

Head loss in pipe (m) 0.62 2.38 8.75

Total head loss (m) 0.64 2.46 9.06

If an 8" valve is replaced the 12" valve, what will be the new total head loss?

Q (m3/h) 100 200 400

Local head loss (8"), m 0.1 0.4 1.55

Head loss (12” Pipe), m 0.62 2.38 8.75

Total head loss (m) 0.72 2.78 10.2

25

Page 26: Irrigation Systems Design

Lateral Pipe

Usually a lateral pipe is made of aluminum or plastic, and has multiple outlets with even sections.

A lateral pipe is characterized by a continuous decline in water discharge along the pipe. The flow rate starts at Qu (m3/h) at the upstream end and ends up with a q1 (m3/h) downstream (equal to the discharge of a single sprinkler or emitter). The calculation of the head loss is done in two steps as follows:

c. The head loss is calculated by assuming the pipe is plain (no outlets).

d. The outcome is multiplied by the coefficient F. The value of coefficient F depends on the number of outlets, n, along the lateral pipe, and the location of the first outlet.

A table of F coefficient for plastic and aluminum lateral pipes is as follows:

Plastic lateral Aluminum lateral

n F1 F2 F3 F1 F2 F3

2 3 4 5

10 12 15 20 25 30 40 50 100

0.469 0.415 0.406 0.398 0.389 0.384 0.381 0.376 0.374 0.369

0.337 0.35 0.352 0.355 0.357 0.358 0.359 0.36 0.361 0.362

0.41 0.384

0.0.381 0.377 0.373 0.371 0.37

0.368 0.367 0.366

0.64 0.54 0.49

0.457 0.402 0.393 0.385 0.376 0.371 0.368 0.363 0.361 0.356

0.321 0.336 0.338 0.341 0.343 0.345 0.346 0.347 0.348 0.349

0.52 0.44 0.41 0.396 0.371 0.367 0.363 0.36 0.358 0.357 0.355 0.354 0.352

1. F1 to be used when the distance from the lateral inlet to the first outlet is sl meters. 2. F2 to be used when the first outlet is just by the lateral inlet. 3. F3 to be used when the distance from the lateral inlet to the first outlet is Sl/2 meters.

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Page 27: Irrigation Systems Design

Characteristics of a Lateral Pipe

⇒ The sprinkler pressure along the lateral pipe declines faster along the first 40% of the length than afterwards, fig 1.

⇒ The sprinkler flow rate along the lateral pipe declines faster along the first 40% of the length than after, fig 2.

• The location of the sprinkler (or emitter) with the average pressure and flow rate is 40% away from the lateral’s inlet.

⇒ Three quarters of the lateral head loss takes place along the first two fifth sections (40%), fig. 1.

Fig. 1: The pressure reduction along 3" lateral pipe (156 m long) with Naan 233 sprinklers at 12 m apart.

0 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 15620

40

60

80

100

120

Sprin

kler

pre

ssur

e m

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

% of head loss

pressure (m) Pres Red % of reduction Plain line

pressure (m) 40 38.5 37.2 36.1 35.2 34.4 33.9 33.4 33 32.8 32.6 32.5 32.5 32.5Pres Red 100 96 93 90 88 86 85 84 83 82 82 81 81 81

% of reduction 0 20 37 52 64 75 81 88 93 96 99 100 100 100% of length 0 8 15 23 31 38 46 54 62 69 77 85 92 100

Plain line 100 96 92 88 84 80 76 72 68 64 60 56 52 48

27

Page 28: Irrigation Systems Design

Fig. 2: The flow rate reduction along 3" lateral pipe (156 m long) with Naan 233 sprinklers at 12 m apart.

0 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 1561.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

2

0

5

10

15

20

25

sprinkler flow line flow

sprinkler flow 1.9 1.88 1.86 1.84 1.83 1.82 1.81 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.79 1.79 1.79% reduction 100 98.7 97.6 96.8 96.1 95.6 95.2 94.9 94.6 94.5 94.5 94.5 94.5

line flow 23.75 23.75 21.84 19.96 18.11 16.26 14.43 12.61 10.8 8.99 7.19 5.39 3.59 1.79

28

Page 29: Irrigation Systems Design

Calculating the Head Loss Along lateral Pipe

⇒ The required sprinkler with Hs (pressure), qs (flow rate) and sl (space) is selected from a catalogue.

⇒ The number of sprinkler (n) along the lateral is determined by ( LSl

).

⇒ The discharge rate at the lateral inlet is determined by (Qu = n x qs).

⇒ The lateral diameter (D) should be comply with a maximum of 20% head loss along the pipe.

⇒ The head loss along the lateral (Qu, D and L) is computed by:

◊ assuming the lateral pipe is plain (without sprinklers), and ◊ The outcome is multiplied by F factor.

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Example: A flat field, 360 x 360 m, is irrigated with a hand moved aluminum lateral pipe (C = 140).

The water source to the lateral pipe is from a submain, which crosses the center of the field. The selected sprinklers are Naan 233/92 with a nozzle of 4.5 mm, pressure of (hs) and flow rate (qs ) of 1.44 m3/hr. The space between the sprinklers is 12 meters apart, and the location of the first sprinkler is 6 meters away from lateral inlet. The riser height is 0.8 meter and the diameter is 3/4".

Answer

Lateral

360 m

Submain

The number of sprinklers on the lateral pipe is as follows:

sprinklersn 1512180

==

The length of the lateral pipe (l) is as follows:

l = (14 sprinklers x 12 m length) + 6 m = 174 meters

The flow rate of the lateral pipe is as follows:

Quu = 15 (sprinklers) x 1.44 m3/h = 21.6 m3/h

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Page 31: Irrigation Systems Design

The maximum allowed head loss (20%) throughout the field is as follows:

∆h m= ⊗ =20

10025 5 eters

For a 2" aluminum pipe - the hydraulic gradient, which can be calculated from either a table or a slide ruler or the Hazen-Williams equation, is: J = 188.9 ‰

The head loss in 2" plain aluminum pipe is as follows:

mLJhLhJ 9.32

000,11749.188

000,1000,1 =

⊗=

⊗=∆⇒⊗

∆=

The F factor for 15 sprinklers is F15 = 0.363

mm

mFhhf

59.11

9.11363.09.3215

>

=⊗=⊗∆=∆

11.9 m is higher than 5 m. Therefore a larger pipe is taken.

For a 3" aluminum pipe - the hydraulic gradient calculated from a table or a monograph or a slide ruler or the Hazen-Williams equation is: J = 26.2 ‰.

The head loss of a 3" plain aluminum pipe is as follows:

metersLJh 6.4000,1

1742.26000,1

=⊗

=⊗

=∆

The F factor for 15 sprinklers is: F15 = 0.363

m

metersFhhf

566.1

66.1363.06.415

<

=⊗=⊗∆=∆

The difference of 5 - 1.66 = 3.34 meters head loss is kept for the submain head loss.

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Page 32: Irrigation Systems Design

A Lateral Inlet Pressure

The pressure head at the lateral inlet (hu) is determined by:

riserhhh fsu +⊗+=43

hu = lateral inlet pressure head

hs = pressure head of selected sprinkler

hf = head loss along lateral

riser = the height of the riser

Example: Following the previous example, what is the inlet pressure?

hf = 1.66 meters

Riser height = 0.8 meters

hs = 25 meters

atmospheremh

riserhhh

u

fsu

7.2278.066.14325

43

⇒=+⊗+=

+⊗=

32

Page 33: Irrigation Systems Design

A Lateral Laid out on a Slope

Once a lateral is laid out along a slope with an elevation difference of ∆Z meters between the two ends, (hu ), then the pressure requirement at the lateral inlet is calculated as follows:

h h h riser zu s f= + ⊗ + ±

34 2

hu = the lateral inlet pressure

hs = pressure head of selected sprinkler

hf = head loss along lateral

riser = riser height

+∆Z2

- adjustment for upward slope

−∆Z2

- adjustment for downward slope

Example: Following the previous example, but this time with: a. 2% downward slope, or b. 2%

upward slope.

The difference elevation between the two ends is as follows:

± = ⊗ = ±∆Z m174 2100

348. eters

a. 2% downward slope

mh

zriserhhh

u

fsu

3.25248.38.066.1

4325

243

=−+⊗+=

∆−+⊗+=

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Page 34: Irrigation Systems Design

The pressure by the last sprinkler is as follows:

m

Zhh fu

12.2748.366.13.25 =+−

∆+−

The head loss between lateral inlet and last sprinkler is as follows:

m82.112.273.25 −=−

-1.82 meters is < than 5 meters, and the difference head loss of 5 meters (20%) is kept for the submain head loss.

All the “20% head loss” is taken place along the submain pipe.Therefore, the pressure at the inlet pipe to the field is 30.3 m.

b. 2% upward slope

mh

zriserhhh

u

fsu

78.28248.38.066.1

4325

243

=++⊗+=

∆−+⊗+=

The total head loss throughout the lateral pipe is as follows:

metershd 14.548.366.1 =+=∆ ≈ 5 meters

5.14 meters are just the permitted 20% head loss. Therefore, nothing is left for the submain. In this case, pressure regulators should be installed in each lateral inlet.

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"The 20% Rule"

In order to maintain up to 10% difference in flow rate between sprinklers or emitters within a plot, then the pressure difference inside the plot should be up to 20%. This rule is carried out only when the value of the exponent is 0.5 (see later).

The relationship between pressure and flow rate out of a sprinkler is as follows:

HgACQ ⊗⊗⊗⊗= 2

or Q xHK ⊗=

Q - flow rate

C, K - constants depend on a nozzle or emitter type.

A - cross section area of a nozzle

H - pressure head

x (exponent) – the exponent depends on the flow pattern inside a nozzle. Usually, the exponent value for a sprinkler is equal to 0.5. While the exponent value for emitters depend on the flow pattern. The exponent is equal to 0 for an emitter with a flow or pressure regulator, while for turbulence flow type (labyrinth emitter) is equal to 0.5, and for hydro-cyclone pattern or very low flow rate is less than 0.5 and for a laminar flow pattern is almost 1.0.

Unfortunately, most of the drip catalogues don't provide the exponent value, but describes by a graph the relationship between pressure and flow discharge of different emitters. In this case, to calculate the constants (K and x) by the previous equations are needed a few points on the curve depicting the relation flow pressure of an emitter.

Example: What is the expected difference discharge between two ends of the lateral sprinkler? When

the hydraulic gradient along a lateral pipe is 20%.

The flow rate of a sprinkler is as follows:

Q K H= ⊗ 0 5.

The relationship between two identical sprinklers which have a same constant K, and 20% pressure difference is as follows:

%9089.08.08.0

)%20(8.0

1

1

1

1

2

12

1

2

1

2

1

2

5.01

5.022

≈===

⊗=

==

⊗=

HH

QQ

differenceHHHH

HH

QQ

HKHK

QQ

35

Page 36: Irrigation Systems Design

The difference in flow rate between the two ends is 10% (within “20% rule”), once the exponent is equal to 0.5.

Example for micro-sprinklers: A polyethylene lateral pipe, grade 4, has 10 micro-sprinklers at 10 meters apart, while the first micro spinkler is stand only one half way. The flow rate of the selected sprinkler is qs = 120 l/h at hs = 20 meters. The riser’s height is 0.15 meter (can be ignored). What is the required diameter of the lateral pipe?

n = 10 micro-sprinklers

Length = (9 sprinkler x 10 m) + 5 m = 95 meters

F10 = 0.384

Q mu =⊗

=10 120

1 00012 3

,. / h

The maximum allowable in the entire plot is =∆h 20100

20 4⊗ = meters

The hydraulic gradient out of a slide ruler, monograph or Darcy-Weisbach equation for a 20 mm polyethylene pipe and Q = 1.2 m3/h is J = 18.5%.

mh

Fhh

mh

f

f

74.6384.05.17

5.17100955.18

10

=⊗=∆

⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

6.74 meters head loss exceeds the allowable 4 meters (20%), therefore, a larger pipe is tested.

The hydraulic gradient which can be found out from a slide ruler, monograph or Darcy-Weisbach equation for 25 mm P.E. pipe and Q = 1.2 m3/h is J = 5.8%.

mh

mh

f 1.2384.05.5

5.5100958.5

=⊗=∆

=⊗=∆

The head loss of 2.1 meters is less than the allowable 4 m (20%). The pressure difference between the maximum allowed head loss and the actual head loss along the lateral (4 m - 2.1 m = 1.9 m) is the maximum head loss along the manifold (if pressure regulators are not in used).

36

Page 37: Irrigation Systems Design

The required pressure by the lateral pipe inlet is as follows:

metershu 5.211.24320 =⊗+=

37

Page 38: Irrigation Systems Design

Three Alternatives in Designing the Irrigation System

There are three general options for designing an irrigation system:

⇒ Option 1 - The rule of 20% is applied to all the sprinklers on the same subplot. Any excess pressure over 20% between the subplots is controlled by flow or pressure regulators.

⇒ Option 2 - The rule of 20% is applied to a single lateral pipe, and pressure regulators control the pressure difference between the laterals. (It is common in drip systems.)

⇒ Option 3 - The difference pressure along a lateral pipe exceeds the 20% head loss by any desired amount (up to the value that the pipes and connectors can stand). Therefore, flow or pressure regulators are used in each emitter or sprinkler to control the excess pressure or flow. (It enables the use of longer laterals or smaller diameter pipes than permitted by Option 1 or 2.)

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Page 39: Irrigation Systems Design

Example: Ten micro-sprinklers are installed along a plastic lateral pipe (grade 4) at 10 meters (32.8 ft.)

apart. (The first sprinkler is stand at 5 meters away from the inlet). The flow rate of the selected sprinkler is qs = 120 l/h (0.5 GPM) at pressure of hs = 20 meters. The riser height is 0.15 meter (which can be ignored). What is the appropriate lateral pipe diameter and length, if the field is designed and abided by options 1, 2 and 3?

n = 10, L = (9 ⊗10 + 5) = 95 m F10 = 0.384 Q m= hr⊗=

10 1201 000

1 2 3,

.. /

Option 1: For a 20 mm polyethylene pipe - the hydraulic gradient which can be found out of a slide

ruler, monograph or Darcy-Weisbach equation for flow rate of Q = 1.2 m3/h and 20 mm P.E. pipe is J = 18.5%.

mFhh

mh

72.6384.05.17

5.17100955.18

10 =⊗=⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

Head loss of 6.72 meters exceeds the allowable 4 meters (20%). Therefore, a larger pipe is tested.

For a 25 mm pipe - the hydraulic gradient taken out of a slide ruler, monograph or Darcy-Weisbach equation for flow rate of Q = 1.2 m3/h and 25 mm P.E. pipe is J = 5.8%.

mFhh

mh

11.2384.05.5

5.5100958.5

10 =⊗=⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

The head loss difference 4 m - 2.11 m = 1.89 meters is available for the manifold head loss.

The inlet lateral pressure is as follows:

atmospheremetershu 15.258.2111.24320 ⇒=⊗+=

39

Page 40: Irrigation Systems Design

Option 2:

If the allowable pressure variation along the lateral pipe is 4 meters, then 25 mm P.E. pipe is too much and 20 mm too small. Therefore, to overcome a head loss greater than 20% either a combination of two diameter pips can be used, or pressure regulators can install in every lateral inlet.

The design procedure for the combined lateral (two different diameters) pipes is as follows:

⇒ Try first a 25 mm diameter pipe along 35 meters (n = 4) and a 20 mm diameter pipe along 60 meters (n = 6). The head loss calculation is as follows:

◊ The head loss for a 25 mm diameter pipe along 95 m, n = 10 and Q = 1.2 m3/h is calculated as previously done, which was 2.11 m, then,

e. The head loss for 25 mm diameter pipe along 60 m, n = 6 and F6 = 0.458 is calculated as follows:

The flow rate is: Q m= hr⊗=

6 1201 000

0 72 3,

. /

The hydraulic gradient taken out of a table, a slide ruler or Darcy-Weisbach equation for 25 mm diameter pipe with a flow rate of 0.72 is J = 2.4%. Therefore, the head loss for 60 meters lateral is as follows:

64.0458.04.1

4.1100604.2

6 =⊗=⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

Fhh

mh

f

The head loss for 25 mm diameter pipe along 35 meters with four sprinklers is as follows:

2.11 m - 0.64 = 1.47 meters

40

Page 41: Irrigation Systems Design

◊ The head loss for 20 mm diameter pipe along 60 meters with n = 6 and F6 = 0.458 is calculated as follows:

The flow rate is: Q m= hr⊗=

6 1201 000

0 72 3,

. /

f. The hydraulic gradient taken out of a table, a slide ruler or Darcy-Weisbach equation for 25 mm diameter pipe with a flow rate of 0.72 is J = 7.6%. Therefore, the head loss for 60 meters lateral is as follows:

mFhh

mh

f 06.2458.05.4

5.4100606.7

6 =⊗=⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

The total head loss along the combined lateral pipe with 25 and 20 mm diameter is as follows:

mhhhf 53.306.247.12025 =+=∆+∆=∆

⇒ Since the total (3.5 m) is less than 4.0 meters. Therefore, it is possible to retry a shorter 25 mm pipe with a length of 25 meters and n = 3 and a longer 20 mm diameter pipe along 70 meters and n = 7. The previous ways of calculation should be repeated over. The new head loss

∆hf

∆hf is 4.5 meters, which exceeds the limit of 4 meters - (20% rule). Therefore, the first choice is taken.

⇒ The inlet pressure requirement by the last lateral is as follows:

h m m atmosphereu = + ⊗ = ≈ ⇒20 34

35 22 7 23 2 3. . .

41

Page 42: Irrigation Systems Design

Option 3: The lateral pipe is designed either with flow or pressure regulators in every micro-sprinkler.

The lateral diameter can be reduced to 20 mm or even further to 16 mm, unless the inlet pressure is less than the pipe and connectors can stand. (The reduced cost for the pipe must be less than the additional cost for the energy due to a higher pressure and for regulators).

In case of 20 mm diameter, the head loss (∆hf ) is 6.72 meters (see Option 1). Therefore, the pressure requirement at the inlet of the last lateral pipe is:

.7.22772.2672.620 atmmhu ⇒≈=+=

In case of option 3, the entire head loss along a lateral pipe is added to the lateral inlet pressure. The maximum inlet pressure should be complied with the pipe grade.

42

Page 43: Irrigation Systems Design

Example (on a slope): A manifold was installed along the center of a rectangular field. The lateral pipes were

hooked up to the two sides of the manifold pipe. The difference in elevation between the center and the end of the field is 2 meters (either positive or negative). Each lateral pipe has eight 120 l/hr micro-sprinklers at 6 meters apart and the pressure (hs) is 25 meters. What is the required diameter of the lateral pipes if the system is designed and abides by option 1?

Answer The laterals’ head loss along the two sides of the manifold should be close enough (in a way

that the total head loss due to the difference in elevation and friction head loss on both sides of the manifold should be almost the same).

The maximum head loss between the sprinklers throughout the field (first and last) is 20

10025 5⊗ = meters (20% rule).

Let try a 20 mm lateral pipe on the two sides:

n = 8 F8 = 0.394 L = (7 sprinklers x 6 m) + 3 m = 45 m

Q m= ⊗ =8 1201 000

0 96 3,

. / hr

The hydraulic gradient for Q = 0.96 m3/hr and D = 20 mm is J = 12.2%

21.2394.062.5

62.5100455.12

=⊗=∆

=⊗=∆

fh

mh

The laterals’ head loss on the downward side is as follows:

.56.26.252221.2

4325 atmhu ⇒=−⊗⊕=

The pressure by the last sprinkler is as follows:

atmospheremh 5.24.25221.26.258 ⇒=+−=

43

Page 44: Irrigation Systems Design

Therefore, the pressure difference between the two ends is as follows:

.02.02.04.256.258 atmhhh ud ⇒=−=−=

The laterals’ head loss on the upward slope side is as follows:

The pressure in the lateral inlet is as follows:

.76.265.272221.2

4325 atmhu ⇒=+⊗⊕=

The pressure at the last sprinkler is as follows:

.3.24.23221.265.278 atmh ⇒=−−=

(The pressure head loss along the upward lateral is 27.65 m - 23.4 m = 4.25 m, which is less than 5 m - 20% rule)

The pressure requirement for the upward laterals is 27.65 meters and for the downward laterals is only 25.6 meters. The head loss along the upward laterals is 4.25 meters, almost all the permitted 20% (5 m). Therefore, the manifold’s size should be increased or pressure regulators should be installed in the lateral inlets, or the upward lateral will be increased to 25 mm, or the manifold can be relocated at a higher point. (The aim is to reduce the difference pressure between the inlet pressure to both sides laterals to nill).

When 20 mm lateral pipes are in use, the values of hu for both sides of the manifold vary by 27.65 - 25.6 = 2.05 m

To avoid this difference (hu) in the inlet pressure, the upward 20 mm laterals can be replaced by 25 mm. The inlet head (hu) for 25 mm is 26.5 m. Therefore, the difference inlet pressure for both sides of the manifold will be less, only 26.5 - 25.7 = 0.8 m.

More economical alternative is by relocating the manifold away from center of the field to a higher elevation. That way, 6 sprinklers will be on each upward laterals side and 10 sprinklers on the downward laterals sides (trial and error).

Downward laterals: The head loss for:

D = 20 mm n = 10 L = (9 sprinkler x 6 m) + 3 m = 57 m

Q = 1.2 m3/hr F10 = 0.384 from monograph is J = 18.5%, therefore for the lateral the head loss is as follows:

44

Page 45: Irrigation Systems Design

mmFhh

mh

f 2.415.4384.053.10

53.10100575.18

10 ≈=⊗=⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

The slope is m28.21005744.4%44.4

452

=⊗⇒=

The pressure at the lateral inlet is as follows:

mhu 1.27228.22.4

4325 =−⊗+=

The pressure head by the last lateral sprinkler is as follows:

mZhhh fud 2.2528.22.41.27 =+−=∆+−=

The head loss along the downward lateral is as follows:

mhhh du 9.12.251.27 =−=−=∆

Upward laterals:

The head loss from a slide ruler for n = 6 F6 = 0.405 L = (5 sprinklers x 6) + 3 = 33 m Q = 7.2 m3/hr is J = 7.6%

mmFhh

mh

f 101.1405.05.2

5.2100336.7

6 ≈=⊗=⊗∆=∆

=⊗=∆

The elevation difference is m32.1100330.4 =⊗ for a slope of 4%.

The pressure head at the lateral inlet is as follows:

mZhhh fsu 51.26232.10.1

4325

243

=+⊗+=∆

+⊗+=

The pressure head at the last lateral sprinkler is

mZhhh fud 19.2432.10.151.26 =−−=∆−∆−=

45

Page 46: Irrigation Systems Design

mhhh du 32.219.2451.26 =−=−=∆

The values of hu for both sides 27.1 m and 26.51 m are practically the same. The maximum tolal head loss along the laterl pipe is is 2.3 m, therefore, 2.7 meters are available as a head loss for the manifold.

∆h

46

Page 47: Irrigation Systems Design

Design of a Manifold

The manifold is a pipe with multiple outlets (similar to lateral pipe); therefore, the manifold designed procedure is the same way as it is done for a lateral. The size of a plot and the number of subplots in each field depends on (the way the field is divided), irrigation rate, crop water requirement, and the number of shifts and etc.

Distribution of pressure head and water in a subplot

Example: A fruit tree plot is designed for irrigation with a solid set system. A manifold is laid

throughout the center of the field. The whole plot is irrigated simultaneously (one shift). The flow rate of the selected micro-sprinkler is qs = 0.11 m3/hr at a pressure (hs) of 2.0 atmospheres. The space between the micro-sprinklers along the lateral is 8 meters (20 ft.) and 6 meters (19.7 ft.) between the laterals. What is the required diameter of the pipes? (The local head loss is 10% of the total head loss and is taken in account.)

Answer

8 x 6 m lateral

96 m manifold

The maximum allowable pressure head difference is 20 20100

4⊗ = meters.

The number of micro-sprinkler on each lateral is 488

6=

F6= 0.405 L = (5 sprinklers x 8 m) + 4 m = 44 m

Lateral flow rate is: Q = 0.11 m3/hr x 6 sprinklers = 0.66 m3/hr

The hydraulic gradient for 16 mm P.E. pipe with a flow rate of Q = 0.66 m3/hr is J = 22.3%

47

Page 48: Irrigation Systems Design

mh 8.9100443.22 =⊗=∆

The head loss in 16-mm lateral pipe (including 10% local head loss) is as follows:

∆hf = (10% local head loss) x ∆h x F6 = 1.1 x 9.8 x 0.405 = 4.36 m

4.36 m head loss exceeds the allowable 4-meter (20%). So we have to try the head loss for 20-mm P.E. lateral pipe.

The hydraulic gradient for 20 mm P.E. pipe and Q = 0.66 m3/hr is J = 6.5%.

mh 86.2100445.6 =⊗=∆

The head loss in 20-mm lateral pipe (including 10 local head loss) is as follows:

∆h mf = ⊗ ⊗ =11 2 8 0 405 13. . . .

1.3 m head loss is less than 4 m (20%). Therefore this pipe can be selected as a lateral.

The lateral inlet pressure is as follows:

h h hu s f= + ⊗ = + ⊗ =34

20 34

13 21∆ . m

m

The water pressure at the last micro-sprinkler on the lateral is as follows:

h h hu f6 21 13 19 7= − = − =∆ . .

Manifold Design:

The number of lateral pipes is ( ) ( )N two sides= ⊗ − =966

2 32

The length of the manifold pipe is as follows:

L = (31 laterals x 6 m) + 3 = 93 m

The flow rate is as follows:

Q = 32 x 0.66 = 21.1 m3/hr

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The hydraulic gradient for 63 mm P.E. pipe with 32 outlets (F32 = 0.376) and Q = 21.1 m3/hr is J = 7.2%.

The head loss along the manifold pipe is as follows:

mh 69.6100932.7 =⊗=∆

The manifold's pressure head loss (63-mm P.E. pipe, including 10% due to local head loss) is as follows:

mFhlossheadlocalhf 76.2376.069.61.1) %10( 32 =⊗⊗=⊗∆⊗=∆

The inlet pressure of the water at the manifold is as follows:

mZhhh fulum 07.2376.24321

243

=⊗+=∆

±∆⊗+=∆

The inlet pressure by the last lateral is as follows:

mhhh fumd 31.2096.207.23 =−=∆−=∆

The maximum pressure throughout the plot is at the first lateral inlet, which is 23.2 meters (2.3 atmosphere).

The minimum pressure throughout the system is at the last sprinkler on the last lateral, which is as follows:

20.31 - 1.3 = 19.01 m

The pressure difference between the first and last sprinkler is as follows:

23.07 - 19.01 = 4.06 m (i.e. just almost 4 meters (20%))

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Design of Irrigation System

The sequence for designing an irrigation system is as follows:

a. Taking in considerations: soil, topography, water supply and quality, type of crops.

b. Taking in considerations: farm schedule.

c. Estimate water application depth at each irrigation cycle.

d. Determine the peak period of daily water consumption.

e. Determine the frequency of water supply.

f. Determine the optimum water application rate.

g. Taking in considerations several alternative of irrigation system types.

h. Determine the sprinklers or emitters spacing, discharge, nozzle sizes, water pressure.

i. Determine the minimum number of sprinklers or emitters (or a size of subplot) which must be operated simultaneously.

j. Divide the field into sub-plots according to the crops, availability of water and number of shifts.

k. Determine the best layout of main and laterals.

l. Determine the required lateral size.

m. Determine the size of a main pipe.

n. Select a pump.

o. Prepare plans, schedules, and instructions for proper layout and operation.

p. Prepare a schematic diagram for each set of submains or manifolds, which can operate simultaneously.

q. Prepare a diagram to show the discharge, pressure requirement, elevation and pipe length.

r. Select appropriate pipes, starting at the downstream end and ending up by the water source.

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Appendix 1: Unit conversion

Length:

1 inch 2.54 cm

1 ft. 30.5 cm

1 m 100 cm

1 m 3.281 ft.

1 m 39.37 inches

1 cm 10 mm

1 km 1,000 m

Area:

1 sq.m 10.76 sq ft.

1 acre 4048 sq m

1 ha 10,000 sq. m

1 ha 2.47 acre

Weight:

1 lb 0.454 kg

1 kg 2.205 lb

1 kg 1,000 gr

1 oz 29 gr

Volume:

1 gal (USA) 3.78 li

1 Imperial gal 4.55 li

1 m3 1,000 li

1 m3 220 Imperial gal

Pressure

1 atmosphere (at) 1 kg/cm2

1 psi 1 lb/inch2

1 at 14.22 psi

10 m 1 at

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Appendix 2: Minimum wall thickness of PVC pipes (mm)

Nominal Diameter (mm)

Class 4 Class 6 Class 8 Class 10 Class 16

63 1.8 2 2.4 3.0 4.7

75 1.8 2.3 2.9 3.6 5.5

90 1.8 2.8 3.5 4.3 6.6

110 2.2 3.4 4.2 5.3 8.1

140 2.8 4.3 5.4 6.7 10.3

160 3.2 4.9 6.2 7.7 11.8

225 4.4 6.9 8.6 10.8 16.6

280 5.5 8.6 10.7 13.4 20.6

315 6.2 9.7 12.1 15.0 23.2

Appendix 3: The internal diameter of polyethylene pipe

Pipe (mm/grade)

12/4 16/4 20/4 25/4 32/4 40/4 50/4 63/4 75/4

Internal diameter (mm)

9.4 12.8 16.6 20.8 28.8 36.6 45.6 57.6 68.6

Pipe (mm/grade)

32/6 40/6 50/6 63/6 75/6 90/6

Internal diameter (mm)

27.9 34.8 43.6 55.0 65.4 79.8

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Appendix 4: Common Symbols

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