Analytical Expressions for Hydraulic Calculation of Trapezoidal Drip Irrigation Units
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 5
Abstract
Analytical expressions have been developed relating water distribution indexes in trapezoidal drip irrigation units to design variables which define these units: lengths and diameters of pipes, emitter and lateral spacing, slopes, emitter flow equation parameters, and equivalent lengths characterizing local losses. The proposed expressions are founded in classical hydraulics. They are more accurate than predictions in irrigation practice and are easier to handle than the simulation models frequently proposed to irrigation technicians. Unit design and irrigation decision making and evaluation can thus be furthered. An example for the application of the proposed expressions is presented. First, lateral and submain diameters are determined for different shapes of irrigation units to achieve a given water application uniformity. The irrigation time to supply the desired irrigation depth is then calculated. Results are finally compared with values obtained by simulations that take into account hydraulic and manufacture variations in the unit.
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Acknowledgment
The writers would like to thank the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) for its support of this work, provided through Project No. UNSPECIFIEDAGL00-1366.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 5 • October 2005
Pages: 420 - 432
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 30, 2003
Accepted: Apr 25, 2005
Published online: Oct 1, 2005
Published in print: Oct 2005
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