Improving Flow Conditions in Irrigation Splitter Boxes
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 4
Abstract
A study was conducted to identify methods of achieving uniform flow distribution in compact irrigation splitter boxes over a wide range of flows but specifically operating at high flow rates. The hydraulic issues resulting from high flow rates in the boxes and their potential implications are discussed to provide a basis for the study. Two splitter boxes, one square and one rectangular in layout, were constructed for testing. Numerous improvement designs were developed, built, and installed in the boxes to inspect and measure their performance. Vertical perforated plates with varying hole diameter, perforated area porosity, and plate thickness succeeded in distributing the flow uniformly across the length of the weir. Data presented show the effectiveness of the various designs in improving the distribution and splitting the flow entering into the box. Vertical removable perforated plates are recommended to be installed in splitter boxes where uniform distribution is not currently achieved. Details for the designs that improved flow performance are discussed and the successful application of the designs into prototype splitter boxes is demonstrated.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
ASME. (2006). “Test uncertainty.” ASME PTC 19.1-2005, New York.
Clemmens, A. J., Wahl, T. L., Bos, M. G., and Replogle, J. A. (2001). “Water measurement with flumes and weirs.” ILRI, Wageningen, Netherlands.
Johnson, M. (2000). “Discharge coefficient analysis for flat-topped and sharp-crested weirs.” J. Irrig. Sci., 19(3), 133–137.
Palde, U. J. (1972). “Hydraulic laboratory studies of a 4-foot-wide weir box turnout structure for irrigation use.”, United States Bureau of Reclamation, Denver.
Peterka, A. J. (1984). “Stilling basin for pipe or open channel outlets (basin VI).” United States Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, 81–89.
Simmons, W. P., and Case, W. C. (1954). “Hydraulic model studies of small weir box turnout structures for general irrigation use.”, United States Bureau of Reclamation, Denver.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
©2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 17, 2016
Accepted: Aug 29, 2016
Published online: Oct 26, 2016
Discussion open until: Mar 26, 2017
Published in print: Apr 1, 2017
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.