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Flow path and hydraulic analysis for on-farm pressurized irrigation systems

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Abstract

A model was developed to analyze the steady-state hydraulics of branching pipe networks as found in on-farm pressurized irrigation systems with multiple outlets at sprinklers or emitters. The model uses a new methodology to identify all flow paths based on a shortest-path algorithm. It also uses elevation and hydraulic parameters to determine which outlets are flowing and which (if any) are not. An iterative solution approach results in the calculated flow rates and pressures at all nodes in the network with a single source node, which can have a fixed head (reservoir) or a pump. The methodology provides a guaranteed steady-state hydraulic solution for the network, regardless of the available pressure, pipe layout and characteristics, or field topography.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Utah Water Research Laboratory and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water Resource Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

    K. Pinthong & S. Chittaladakorn

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-4110, USA

    G. P. Merkley

Authors
  1. K. Pinthong
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  2. G. P. Merkley
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  3. S. Chittaladakorn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. P. Merkley.

Additional information

Communicated by J. Ayars.

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Pinthong, K., Merkley, G.P. & Chittaladakorn, S. Flow path and hydraulic analysis for on-farm pressurized irrigation systems. Irrig Sci 31, 371–383 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-011-0318-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-011-0318-9

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