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New Software (Multi-flowCAD) Development for Sub-Main Line Hydraulic Design: Computational Algorithm, Computer Visualization and Implementation

  • Research Article - Special Issue - Civil Engineering
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Abstract

Hydraulic design of multiple outlets sub-mains in a distribution network system, often referred to as manifolds, laterals or gated pipes, which are extensively used in practice, has been a major problem tackled by many authors. The increasing progress in computer technology has led to the development of the improved solutions of analytical and numerical methods. This paper aims to present the new software simulation model based on the stepwise computation algorithm with software application. This model is based on discrete nonuniform outflow distribution approach for evaluating different forms of pressure head-discharge distributions along the sub-main line. In the procedure, the required hydraulic flow characteristics along the energy-grade line, the velocity head change and variation of the Reynolds number, which affects the selection of the proper friction coefficient formula to be applied along the different reaches of the pipeline, are sensitively determined. Based on certain hydraulic parameters and uniformity criteria, an improved user-friendly computer program in Visual Basic 6.0 language named “Multi-flowCAD” was developed for hydraulic analysis and design of multiple outlets sub-main lines. The present computer-aided computing technique was successfully implemented with the highest accuracy for different forms of pressure head profiles covering various design configurations regarding different flow regimes and uniform line slope situations with respect to alternative computing techniques. In professional practice, the present improved software simulation model is the most suitable, because only the basic equations of the hydraulics of steady-state pipe flow condition were sensitively used in each pipe section between successive outlets. The present model can be efficiently used for hydraulic analysis and design of various types of multiple outlets pipelines in sub-main distribution networks, for all performed simulations.

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Correspondence to Gürol Yıldırım.

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Gürol Yıldırım was formerly at Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (BAEN), Texas A&M University (TAMU), College Station, TX 77843 USA.

Ömer Köse was formerly at Texas University at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.

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Yıldırım, G., Köse, Ö. New Software (Multi-flowCAD) Development for Sub-Main Line Hydraulic Design: Computational Algorithm, Computer Visualization and Implementation. Arab J Sci Eng 41, 1551–1560 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1815-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1815-6

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