HYDRAULICS

Introduction
Basic Hydraulics

HYDRAULICS
Introduction
An understanding and use of hydraulics is
absolutely essential for proper development
and operation of modern irrigation systems

Head Loss
Pipelines
Lateral Design
Mainline Design

HYDRAULICS
Mistakes made in setting up an irrigation system
are often very expensive to correct, whereas the
cost of appropriate planning to avoid errors is
small.

Irrigation hydraulics involves the determination

of the pressure distribution in the system, the
selection of pipe sizes and fittings to convey
and regulate water delivery, and the
determination of the power and energy
requirements to pressurize and lift water.

HYDRAULICS
Basic Hydraulics

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

One of the most important considerations in

the hydraulics of irrigation systems is the
amount of energy that is available in the water
at any point within the system. With water flow,
energy can be in the following forms:

In this class, the energy in water is expressed

as energy per unit weight of water. Energy has
the units of FL (force times length) and weight
has the units of Force (F).
(F) Thus,
Thus energy per
unit weight has the units of FL / F or just the
dimension of L (LENGTH).

1.

Kinetic energy due to velocity

2.

Potential energy due to elevation

3.

Potential energy due to water

pressure.

HYDRAULICS

Hence, the energy of water in an irrigation

system includes velocity head, elevation head,
and pressure head.

HYDRAULICS

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

The potential energy due to elevation is a

result of the location of the water relative
to an arbitrary reference plane.
plane Water at a
higher elevation has more potential energy
than water at a lower elevation.

The water has the ability to do work as it

flows downhill, such as eroding the soil
surface,
surface generating power
power, etc
etc. The
potential energy of the water decreases
as it flows downhill. The letter Z will be
used to represent elevation head or called
gravitational head.
head.

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

The potential energy due to the pressurization of

water can be a very large component in an
irrigation system. Pressure is the force per unit
area exerted on the walls of a container. The
pressure may be expressed as:

In general, the maximum recommended average

velocity in an enclosed pipeline is 5 ft/sec. When
the velocity in a pipeline exceeds 5 ft/sec, there
is a potential to develop very high pressure
surges which
hi h may damage
d
pipelines.
i li

P =h
where:

or

h = P/

Equation 2

P = pressure (lb per square inch)

= weight of a unit volume of fluid
3
(specific weight), lb per ft .

Pressure surges are due to flow being stopped

suddenly while the upstream water has a large
amount of momentum
momentum.. When the flow is
stopped too quickly, the rapid change in
momentum results in impulsive force called
water hammer.
hammer.

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
Basic Hydraulics

P =h
where:

or

h = P/

Eq 2

P = pressure (lb per square

i h)
inch)
= weight of a unit volume of
fluid (specific weight), lb
per ft3
h = pressure head, ft.

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 1

Two columns of water are filled to a height of 10

feet with water. One column has a crosscrosssectional area of 1 in2, the other 10 in2. Find the
pressure at the bottom of each column.

Given:

h = 10 ft, and
= 62.4 lb/ft3

Find:

Pressure,
Pressure P

Given:
Find:

h = 10 ft, and
= 62.4 lb/ft3
Pressure, P

Solution:

P =h
or h = P /
Equation 2
P = 62.4 lb/ft3 (10 ft) (ft2 / 144 in2) = 4.33 lb/in2
P = 4.33 psi

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Basic Hydraulics

EXAMPLE 1
Given:

h = 10 ft, and
3
= 62.4 lb/ft

The PRESSURE IS INDEPENDENT OF THE

SURFACE AREA!

Find:

Pressure, P

In English units, it is convenient to express:

= 0.433 psi / ft

Solution:
P = 4.33 psi

Or

NOTE: THE PRESSURE IS

INDEPENDENT OF THE SURFACE AREA
OF THE COLUMN.

1/ = 2.31 ft / psi
WATER

HYDRAULICS

Equation 3

ONLY FOR

HYDRAULICS

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

Kinetic energy is the result of the movement of

the fluid and the term VELOCITY HEAD is given
by:

The sum of the energy forms the total energy

per unit weight called HYDRAULIC HEAD (H). It
is:

Velocity Head = V 2 / (2g) Equation 1

where:

V = average velocity at a point in a

pipe or channel, ft/sec,
g = gravitational constant, 32.2
ft/sec2.

H = + elevation head + pressure head + velocity

head
H = Z + h + V2/(2g)

Equation 4

HYDRAULICS
Basic Hydraulics
Another important concept of water flow is
continuity.. In a hydraulic system, mass must be
continuity
conserved. For incompressible fluid flow, such
as water, the continuity equation is expressed
as:
Q = VA
where:

Equation 5

Q = volumetric flow rate or

discharge,
V = average flow velocity
A = crosscross-sectional area of flow.

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
EXAMPLE 2
In the pipeline system shown on the next
page, find the hydraulic head at the inlet into
the 4
4--inch diameter pipeline.
Given:

Z
P
Q
d

= 15 feet
= 60 psi
= 400 gpm
= 4 inch (internal diameter)

Find:

h, V = Q/A, Velocity Head, and

Total Head

HYDRAULICS
EXAMPLE 2
Solution:
h = 60 psi (2.31 ft/psi) = 139 feet
A = /4 (4 in)2 = 12.57 in2 (ft2/144 in2) = 0.087 ft2
Q = 400 gpm/ (450 gpm/cfs) = 0.89 cfs (ft3/sec)
V = Q/A = 0.89 ft3/sec / 0.087 ft2 = 10.23 ft/sec

HYDRAULICS
EXAMPLE 2
Solution:
V = Q/A = 0.89 ft3/sec / 0.087 ft2 = 10.23 ft/sec
Velocity Head = V2/2g =
(10.23 ft/sec)2 / {2 (32.2 ft/sec2)} = 1.6 ft
Total Head (H) = 15 ft + 139 ft + 1.6 ft = 156 ft

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

EXAMPLE 3

EXAMPLE 3

What is the velocity head at point 2 in

EXAMPLE 2?

Solution:

Given:

Find:

A2 = /4 ((10 in))2 = 78.5 in2 ((ft2/144 in2) = 0.526

ft2

Q2 = Q1 = 400 gpm
d2 = 10 inch
A2 = /4 d22
Velocity, V
Velocity Head at point 2

Q2 = Q1 = 400 gpm/ (450 gpm/cfs) = 0.89 cfs

(ft3/sec)
V = Q/A = 0.89 ft3/sec / 0.526 ft2 = 1.69 ft/sec

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

EXAMPLE 3

Basic Hydraulics

Solution:
V = Q/A = 0.89

ft3/sec

/ 0.526

ft2

= 1.69 ft/sec

Velocity Head = V2/2g =

(1.69 ft/sec)2 / {2 (32.2 ft/sec2)} = 0.04 ft

An important law of fluid mechanics is

conservation of energy.
energy. Conservation of energy
for irrigation systems is described by the
Bernoulli Equation,
Equation, which is given by:
H2 = H1 - h L
where:

THUS, the velocity head in the 10

10--inch pipe is
only 0.025 times the velocity head in the 44-inch
pipe.

Equation 6

H1 = hydraulic head at point 1 in a

system (upstream)
H2 = hydraulic head at point 2 in a
system (down stream)
hL = head loss during flow from point 1
to point 2.

HYDRAULICS
Basic Hydraulics
The head loss from point 1 to point 2 is
due to friction loss from the resistance
to flow along a pipeline and to minor
pressure losses of energy through pipe
fittings, etc.

HYDRAULICS
Friction Loss in Pipes

HYDRAULICS
Friction Loss in Pipes

Darcy--Weisbach Formula
Darcy
Further, for circular pipes, the following substitutions can be made :
L V2
hf f
D 2g
where :

hf f

h f is the friction loss (L),

f is the Darcy - Weisbach friction factor, which is a function of pipe roughness,
fluid properties and Reynolds number (dimensionless),

L V
Q
k2 f L 5
D 2g
D

where
k2 conversion constant.

L is the pipe length (L),

D is the internal pipe diameter (L)
V is the mean fluid velocity in the pipe (L/T),
g is the acceleration of gravity (L/T2 ).

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Friction Loss in Pipes

The friction factor is a function of Reynolds
Number and relative roughness of the pipe
internal material. Generally, the solution of this
equation is often a trial and error as the flow is
not known and thus the Reynolds number (and
thus the friction factor) is not known.

Hazen--Williams Formula
Hazen

h K
f

L V
D C
1.167

HYDRAULICS
Friction Loss in Pipes

1.852

1.852

Further, for circular conduits, the following simplification can be made :

where :

h f k1

h is the friction loss (L),

f

L
D

4.871

Q1.852
1.852
C

where :

K is a conversion factor to handle the units,

units

h f is the friction loss (L),

(L)

C is the Hazen - Williams friction factor

k1 is a conversion factor to handle the units,

which is a function of pipe material.

C is the Hazen - Williams friction factor, which is a function of pipe material.

L is the pipe length (L),

L is the pipe length (L),

D is the internal pipe diameter (L)

D is the internal pipe diameter (L)

Q is the flow rate (L /T),

V is the mean fluid velocity (L /T),

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Computing Friction Loss

Computing Friction Loss

hf = 1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D4.871]

Pf = 453 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D4.71]

Equation 8a
Equation 8b

where: hf = friction loss,

loss ft of head per 100 ft
of pipe
Pf = friction loss, psi per 100 ft of pipe
Q = flow rate, gpm
D = inside pipe diameter, inches
C = roughness coefficient

Representative values of C for different pipe

materials are given in TABLE 1.
1. The value of C
decreases as the roughness of the pipe wall
decreases. Accordingly, of the materials listed
in TABLE 1,
1, steel pipe is the roughest material (C
= 100) while PVC is the smoothest (C = 150).

Table 2 illustrates the friction loss for PVC pipe

as a function of pipe size and flow rate. Note the
friction losses in Table 2 are in ft per 100 ft and
are for PVC pipe of an SDR of 21.

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Table 2 Friction loss for IPS PVC pipe.

Computing Friction Loss

Q
(gal/min)

1-in

1 1/4 -in

11/2-in

2-in

21/2-in

2
4
6
8
10

.15
.54
1.15

.04
.17
.37
.63
.95

.02
.09
.19
.32
.49

.03
.06
.11
.16

.01
.02
.04
.06

15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50

6.32
10.79
16.30
22.86

2.03
3.46
5.22
7.32
9.75
12.46
15.51
18.87

1.04
1.78
2.70
3.78
5.03
6.46
8.02
9.75

.35
.60
.91
1.27
1.70
2.18
2.71
3.30

.14
.23
.36
.50
.67
.86
1.07
1.30

TABLE 1. HAZENHAZEN-WILLIAMS C VALUES

- - - - - - - Friction head loss in ft/100 ft - - - - - - -

MATERIAL

Aluminum pipe with couplers

Aluminum pipe with gates
Cement asbestos pipe
Galvanized steel pipe
Standard steel pipe (new)
PVC Class 160 irrigation pipe
PVC pipe with gates

Q
(gal/min)

4-in

5-in

6-in

8-in

120
110
140
140
130
150
130

10-in

2.98

12-in

HYDRAULICS

- - - - - - - Friction head loss in ft/100 ft - - - - - - 150

160
170
180
190
200

1.11
1.26
1.41
1.57
1.73
1.90

220
240
260
280
300
320
340
360
380
400
420
440
460
480
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
850
900
950
1000

2.28
2.67
3.10
3.56
4.04
4 56
4.56
5.10
5.67
6.26
6.90

Pipe Sizes
.81
.95
1.10
1.26
1.43
1 62
1.62
1.82
2.02
2.22
2.45
2.69
2.92
3.18
3.44
3.70

.34
.40
.46
.54
.61
.69
69
.77
.86
.95
1.04
1.14
1.25
1.35
1.46
1.58
1.89
2.22
2.58
2.96
3.36
3.78
4.24
4.71
5.21
5 73

.09
.10
.12
.14
.17
.19
19
.21
.24
.26
.28
.31
.34
.37
.41
.43
.52
.61
.71
.81
.93
1.04
1.17
1.30
1.44
1 58

.10
.10
.11
.12
.14
.15
.18
.21
.24
.28
.32
.36
.40
.44
.49
54

Both the internal and external pipe diameters

are determined by the material used to
manufacture the pipe and the nominal
nominal pipe
diameter. These values are available in many
different locations and standards. Several
are included here for reference.
.060
.083
.096
.110
.125
.141
.158
.175
.194
.213
233

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
Pipelines

SHOW EXAMPLES OF PVC PIPE

Discuss pipe sizes

PVC ---- OD controlled (fittings are external
to pipe). Thus, pipe thickness reduces
pipe ID.
ALUMINUM --- OD controlled (fittings are
external to pipe). Thus, pipe thickness
reduces pipe ID.
BLACK POLY --- ID controlled (fittings are
internal to pipe). Thus, pipe thickness
does not impact pipe ID.

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
PVC Pipe Sizes

Aluminum Pipe Sizes

NOMINAL PIPE SIZE
(in)

PIPE O.D. (in)

PIPE I.D. (in)

2.00

1.902

3.00

2.914

4.00

5.00

6
7

6.00
7.00

SDR

SDR

PVC 1120
PVC 1220
PVC 2120

PVC 2116

PVC 2112

PVC 2110

PE 3408

PE 3406
PE 3306
PE 2306

PE 2305

O.D.
Based
Pipe

I.D.
Based
Pipe

psi

Psi

psi

psi

Psi

psi

psi

5.3

250

160

125

160

125

100

3.906

13.5

11.5

315

250

200

160

4.896

17.0

15.0

250

200

160

125

100

80

63

21.0

200

160

125

100

80

64

26.0

160

125

100

80

64

50

32.5

125

100

80

63

50

40

41.0

100

80

63

50

40

31

51.0

80

63

50

40

64.0

63

50

40

30

81.0

50

40

30

25

93.5

43

50 ft head

22

5.884
6.872

8.00

7.856

10.00

9.818

NOTE: Aluminum Pipe with Couplers, C = 130

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

PVC Pipe Sizes

Average
O.D.

Average
O.D.

mm

In

mm

in

PVC Pipe Sizes

Pipe
Class

50 ft
head

SDR 64

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

SDR 51
Pipe
I.D.(in)

SDR 41
Pipe
I.D.(in)

SDR 26
Pipe
I.D.(in)

SDR 21
Pipe
I.D.(in)

SDR 17
Pipe
I.D.(in)

Schedule
40

Schedule
80

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

1/8

10.29

0.405

IPS

0.279

0.215

13.72

0.540

IPS

0.364

0.302

10

3/8

17.14

0.675

IPS

0.493

0.423

15

21.34

0.840

IPS

0.622

0.546

20

160

200

9.0

Nominal
Pipe Size

200

7.0
11.0

10

Nominal
Pipe Size

Table 1. Pressure ratings (PR) for nonthreaded thermoplastic pipe.

Nominal
Pipe Size

Nominal
Pipe Size

Average
O.D.

Average
O.D.

mm

In

mm

in

Pipe
Class

200

219.08

8.625

IPS

207.00

8.160

PIP

250

10

273.05

10.750

IPS

259.00

10.200

PIP

300

12

323.85

12.750

IPS

311 00
311.00

12 240
12.240

PIP

355.60

14.000

IPS

26.67

1.050

IPS

0.930

0.926

0.834

0.742

25

33.40

1.315

IPS

1.212

1.189

1.161

1.049

0.957

350

14

32

42.16

1.660

IPS

1.532

1.502

1.464

1.380

1.218

380

15

388.62

15.300

PIP

40

48.26

1.900

IPS

1.754

1.720

1.676

1.610

1.500

400

16

406.40

16.000

IPS

50

60.32

2.375

IPS

2.193

2.149

2.095

2.067

1.939

65

73.02

2.875

IPS

2.655

2.601

2.537

2.469

2.323

80

88.90

3.500

IPS

3.330

3.230

3.166

3.088

3.068

2.900

90

101.60

4.000

3.804

3.692

3.62

3.530

3.548

3.364

550

21

100

114.30

4.500

IPS

4.280

4.154

4.072

3.970

4.026

3.826

600

24

105.00

4.134

PIP

629.99

IPS

5.291

5.135

5.033

4.909

5.047

4.813

700

27

710.00

6.301

6.115

5.993

5.845

6.065

5.761

750

30

762.00

30.000

900

36

914.40

36.000

IPS

125

141.30

5.563

150

168.28

6.625

IPS

156.00

6.140

PIP

4.36
4.004

3.972
5.389
6.417

6.000

5.90

100 ft
head

SDR 51

SDR 41

SDR 26

SDR 21

SDR 17

Schedule
40

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

Pipe
I.D.(in)

8.205

7.961

7.805

7.609

7.981

8.000

7.986

7.840

10.000

9.982

9.800

7.762
10.226

12 000
12.000

11 978
11.978

11 760
11.760

14.972

17.606

14.700

17.280

9.728

9.486

10.02

11.538

11.250

11.938

11 642
11.642
13.318

15.000

9.924

11.770

9.720
12.128

12.924

12.668

14.554

14.124

13.844

15.220

14.770

14.476

450

18

457.20

18.000

IPS

475.00

18.701

PIP

18.310

17.969

17.789

17.263

500

20

508.00

20.000

IPS

19.564

19.200

19.024

18.462

559.99

22.047

PIP

21.575

21.183

20.971

20.351

609.60

24.000

IPS

23.486

23.058

22.830

22.154

24.803

PIP

24.271

27.953

PIP

3.932

5.840

50 ft
head

17.122

16.616

12.354

14.118

16.286

15.882

18.096

17.648

21.714

21.176

23.831

23.593

22.895

26.857

26.589

25.803

IPS

28.536

27.692

27.144

26.47

IPS

34.244

33.230

32.572

31.764

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Table 3. Pipe dimensions for PE pipe, I.D. Controlled.

Nominal
Pipe Size

Nominal
Pipe Size

mm

In

16

20.93

21

Average
I.D.

Basic Hydraulics

Average
I.D.

SDR
19

SDR
15

SDR
11.5

SDR
9

SDR
7

SDR
5.3

Schedule
40

mm

in

Pipe
O.D.(in)

Pipe
O.D.(in)

Pipe
O.D.(in)

Pipe
O.D.(in)

Pipe
O.D.(in)

Pipe
O.D.(in)

Pipe
O.D.(in)

15.80

0.622

0.742

0.742

0.742

0.760

0.800

0.856

0.840

0.824

0.944

0.944

0.968

1.008

1.060

1.134

1.050

27

26.64

1.049

1.169

1.189

1.231

1.283

1.349

1.445

1.315

35

35.05

1.380

1.526

1.564

1.620

1.686

1.774

1.900

1.660

41

40.89

1.610

1.780

1.824

1.900

1.890

1.968

2.070

2.218

52

52.50

2.067

2.285

2.343

2.427

2.527

2.657

2.847

63

62.71

2.469

2.729

2.799

2.899

2.875

2.375

78

77.93

3.068

3.390

3.478

3.602

3.500

102

102.26

4.026

4.450

4.562

4.726

4.000

154

154.05

6.065

6.703

6.873

7.119

6.625

Bernoulli Equation
H2 = H1 - h L

Equation 6

h2 + Z2 + V22/2g = h1 + Z1 + V12/2g - losses

Z1 = 110 feet, Z2 = 100 feet
P1 = 50 psi, P2 = ??
Pipe is 6 inch IPS PVC, SDR = 21 (200 psi)
Length is 1,000 feet

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

Z1 = 110 feet, Z2 = 100 feet

h2 = 115.5 + 10 losses

P1 = 50 psi, P2 = ??; h1 = 50 (2.31) = 115.5 feet

Q
gpm

losses
ft/100 ft

losses
1,000 ft

h2
ft

P2
psi

600

2.22

22.2

103.3

44.7

300

0.61

6.10

119.4

51.7

In this case, V1 = V2, thus velocity heads cancel

h2 + 100 = h1 + 110 losses
h2 = 115.5 + 110 - 100 - losses

HYDRAULICS

EXAMPLE OF PIPE

HYDRAULICS
Computing Friction Loss

hf = 1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D 4.871]

MATERIAL ON
FRICTION LOSS

Equation 8a

per 100 ft of
where: hf = friction loss,, ft of head p
pipe
Q = flow rate, gpm
D = inside pipe diameter, inches
C = roughness coefficient,

10

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Computing Friction Loss

Computing Friction Loss

Pipe
Size

Pipe
Material

I.D.

O.D.

hf = 1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D4.871]

1 in

Sch 40 PVC

1 049
1.049

1 315
1.315

150

inch SCH 40 PVC

1 in

Sch 40 Steel

1.049

1.315

130

in

Sch 40 PVC

0.622

0.848

150

hf
hf
hf
hf

=
=
=
=

1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D 4.871]

1047 [10/150] 1.852 [1/0.622 4.871]
70.2 ft/100ft
30.4 psi/100ft

Q = 10 gpm

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
Computing Friction Loss

Computing Friction Loss

hf = 1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D 4.871]

hf = 1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D 4.871]

1 inch SCH 40 PVC

1 inch SCH 40 STEEL

hf
hf
hf
hf

=
=
=
=

1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D 4.872]

1047 [10/150] 1.852 [1/1.049 4.871]
5.50 ft/100ft
2.38 psi/100ft

hf
hf
hf
hf

=
=
=
=

HYDRAULICS
Computing Friction Loss

COMPARISONS BETWEEN PIPES

1047 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D4.871]

1047 [10/130] 1.852 [1/1.049 4.871]
7.17 ft/100ft
3.11 psi/100ft

HYDRAULICS
Head Loss

INCH PVC ----

30.4 PSI/100 FT

Minor or Fitting Losses

1 INCH PVC -------

2.4 PSI/100FT

Head losses also occur in the fittings

g used in
construction of a system. These head losses
are due to the friction in the fitting, plus losses
resulting from the turbulence and changes in
the direction of flow. Head losses in fittings,
valves, etc., can be described by:

1 INCH STEEL ------ 3.1 PSI/100FT

STEEL HAS 30% MORE LOSSS THAN THAT
OF PVC
DOUBLE SIZE HAS APPROXIMATELY 1/6 OF
THE LOSS

11

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS
Head Loss

Head Loss

Minor or Fitting Losses

Minor or Fitting Losses

Head losses in fittings, valves, etc., can be

described by:
y

Resistance coefficients for various types of

fittings and valves are given in TABLE 4.

hm = KL {V2/2g}
where:

hm = head loss in fitting, ft

KL = resistance coefficient for fitting,
V = velocity of flow, ft/sec

Table 4 Resistance coefficient K for use determining head losses in fittings and valves.

HYDRAULICS

Standard pipe

Head Loss

Nominal diameter
3 in
(76.2 mm)

4 in
(101.6 mm)

5 in
(127.0 mm)

6 in
(152.4 mm)

7 in
(177.8 mm)

8 in
(203.2 mm)

10 in
(254 mm)

Bends:
Return flanged
Return screwed

0.33
.80

0.30
.70

0.29

0.28

0.27

0.25

0.24

Elbows:
Regular flanged 90
90
Long radius flanged 90
Long radius flanged 45
Regular screwed 90
Long radius screwed 90
Regular screwed 45

0.34
.25
.19
.80
.30
.30

0.31
.22
.18
.70
.23
.28

0.30
.20
.18

0.28
.18
.17

0.27
.17
.17

0.26
.15
.17

0.25
.14
.16

Tees:
Flanged line flow
Flanged branch flow
Screwed line flow
Screwed branch flow

.16
.73
.90
1.20

.14
.68
.90
1.10

.13
.65

.12
.60

.11
.58

.10
.56

.09
.52

Valves:
Globe flanged
Globe screwed
Gate flanged
Gate screwed

7.0
6.0
.21
14

6.3
5.7
.16
12

6.0

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.5

.13

.11

.09

.075

.06

Fitting or valve

VELOCITY HEAD (practical guide)

V2/(2g) = 2.594 * 10-3 (gpm2)/I.D.4
EXAMPLE
Q = 40 GPM, ID = 1.5 INCH
V2/(2g) = 2.594*10-3 (402)/1.54 = 0.82 ft

HYDRAULICS
Pipelines
Irrigation pipelines are made of many
materials. Currently, the most common
materials used for above ground sprinkler
systems and gatedgated-pipe surface irrigation
systems are aluminum and ultraviolet
radiation protected PVC (polyvinyl chloride
plastic). CenterCenter-pivot and lateral systems
commonly use galvanized steel as the
pipeline material.

HYDRAULICS
Pipelines
For pipelines that are buried below the
ground, the most common material in
agricultural applications is PVC and in
landscape and turf application it is either
PVC or PE (polyethylene plastic). PE is also
commonly used for aboveabove-ground micromicroirrigation systems.

12

HYDRAULICS

HYDRAULICS

Pipeline flow rates. VELOCITY = 5 ft/sec

Pipelines
Sizing mainlines is usually based on a
maximum of 5 to 6 ft/sec average velocity.
The typical
yp
flow ranges
g for aluminum p
pipe
p
and class 160 PVC pipe at various nominal
sizes and reasonable flow velocities are
shown below.

Nominal
Size
in

Aluminum
ID
Q
in
gpm

Class 160 PVC

ID
Q
in
gpm

1
2
4
6
8
10
12

1.4
1.9
3.9
5.9
7.9
9.9
11/9

1.754
2.193
4.154
6.115
7.961
9.924
11.770

24
44
186
426
764
1199
1733

38
59
211
458
776
1205
1695

HYDRAULICS
Ta ble 8 .2 Fr ic tion loss fo r I P S P VC p ipe.
Q
( gal/min)

1 -in

1 11/44-in

1 11/22-in

2 -in

2 11/22-in

3 -in

3 11/22-in

- - - - - - - F r iction h ea d loss in ft/1 00 ft - - - - - - 2

4
6
8
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50

.15
.54
1.15
2.98
6.32
10 .79
16 .30
22 .86

.0 4
.1 7
.3 7
63
.6
.9 5

.02
.09
.19
32
.32
.49

.03
.06
.11
.16

.0 1
.0 2
04
.0
.0 6

01
.01
.02

.0 1

2.03
3.46
5.22
7.32
9.75
12 . 46
15 . 51
18 . 87

1.0 4
1.7 8
2.7 0
3.7 8
5.0 3
6.4 6
8.0 2
9.7 5

.35
.60
.91
1 .27
1 .70
2 .18
2 .71
3 .30

.1 4
.2 3
.3 6
.5 0
.6 7
.8 6
1.0 7
1.3 0

.05
.09
.13
.19
.25
.32
.40
.49

.0 2
.0 4
.0 7
.1 0
.1 3
.1 7
.2 1
.2 5

VA = Vacuum, Air Vent Valve

C = Check Valve or Backflow Preventer
G = Shutoff Valve
PR = Pressure Relief
D = Automatic Drain Valve

HYDRAULICS
Lateral Design
The irrigation planner and designer is
interested in two basic problems related to
pipeline hydraulics. The first is concerned
with the flow of water in p
pipes
p with multiple
p
outlets (sprinkler laterals or drip irrigation
laterals) and flow of water in pipelines
without multiple outlets, such as main lines
and subsub-mains.

Computing Friction Loss

A pipeline with outlets has a lower friction loss
than a conveyance pipe because the velocity
decreases with distance along the pipe. To
correct for the effect of outlets, a multiple
outlet factor, F is used. The value of F is one,
for pipelines without outlets.

13

In general, the friction loss in pipes can be expressed as the following :

h K
f

L V
D

Further, the following simplification can be made :

hf K

where :
h is the friction loss (L),
f

L Vm
D

Q
A

and V

or V

K is a conversion factor to handle the units,

and the friction loss formula chosen,
chosen
L is the pipe length (L),

Thus, h f K

D is the internal pipe diameter (L),

V is the mean fluid velocity (L/T),

L Vm
D

m is the velocity exponent, (dimensionless), and

Thus in general, h f k 3

n is the pipe diameter exponent (dimensionless).

Assume the sprinkler spacings (S) are all equal

and that the total number of sprinklers is N, the
total flow into the lateral is Q and each sprinkler
flow (q) is equal to Q/N. Further, the sprinkler
lateral length (L) is given as SN. The head loss in
section one of the above figure is calculated as:

h f 1 k3

h f 2 k3

h f 3 k3

D 2 mn

h fi k 3

The total head loss in the entire lateral in now the

sum of the head loss from each section of the
lateral, or
N

h fi

hT

i 1

h
i 1

fi

k
i 1

Qm

2 mn

(2q) m

S
D 2mn

(3q) m

S
D 2 mn
S

(iq) m

D 2 m n

q Q/N

hT

k3
D

2 m n

L / N (iQ / N ) m
k3 L Q m

2 mn

N Nm
D
i 1

(i ) m

i 1

L / N

S
hT

S (iq) m

3 D 2 mn

i 1

D 2
D
4

Likewise, the head loss in section two and the

next sections are calculated as:

qm

2
D
4

Qm

L
D

k
L / N (iq) m
2 m3 n
D
D 2 mn

L / N (iq) m

i 1

hT

k3
D

2 mn

L Qm
N

m 1

(i

i 1

14

NOW, finally recall that for the entire lateral, if it

were a mainline, the friction loss is

hT

D 2 m n

L Qm N m
(i )
N m 1 i 1

hf

1
N m1

(i

) hf

i 1

Table 3 Multiple out let factors for laterals with equally

sp read out lets o f the same d ischarge. For center
p ivots, see footnote**.
No. of
No. o f
outlets
F
out lets
F

**

Head loss if the lateral were a main line * Factor F.

1.0
0.634
0.528
0.480
0.451
0.433
0.419
0.410
0.402
0.396
0.392
0.388
0.384
0.381
0.379

16
17
18
19
20
22
24
26
28
30
35
40
50
100
More than
100

F = 0.54 for center p ivots without end g uns.

F = 0 .56 for center p ivots w ith end g uns.

0.377
0.376
0.373
0.372
0.370
0.368
0.366
0.364
0.363
0.362
0.359
0.357
0.355
0.350
0.345

i 1
m 1

Factor F

i 1
m 1

If the first sprinkler outlet is located

spacing from the inlet to the lateral, then the
factor F must be adjusted. These are given in
the attached tables.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

hT

D 2mn
N

k3

Head loss if the lateral were a main line * Factor to account for multiple outlets.

1
1
m 1

2
m 1 2N
6N

Computing Friction Loss

For lateral pipelines with constant spaced
outlets and nearly the same discharge per
outlet, use TABLE 3. With centercenter-pivots, the
sprinkler discharge increases with distance
from the pivot point. These factors are given
at the bottom.

Multiple O
Outlet Factor (F)

h f k3

Qm

hT

0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

Number of Sprinklers on the Lateral

15

Lateral Design

Lateral Design

The sizing of sprinkler laterals is a fundamental

consideration for sprinkler systems. The lateral
must be large enough to carry the needed flow
rate so that the pressure loss along the lateral
is not excessive.

To achieve an acceptable uniformity the

standard requires that the discharge variation
from the sprinkler with the largest flow to the
sprinkler with the smallest flow not exceed 10%
of the average discharge.

A standard has been established by the

American Society of Agricultural Engineers for
maximum variations of discharge along a
sprinkler lateral.

Since the discharge from a nozzle is related to

the square root of the pressure, the 10%
discharge variation is equivalent to a maximum
permissible pressure variation of 20%.

Lateral Design
The variation of pressure along a lateral can be
due to elevation changes along the lateral and
friction loss in the lateral and fittings. The
pressure distribution along a lateral placed on
level ground is illustrated in Figure (NEXT).
The pressure att the
Th
th iinlet
l t off th
the llateral
t
l is
i
determined by the pressure available from the
mainline. The pressure loss in the first several
joints of the lateral is nearly the same as for a
mainline of the same diameter and pipe
material.

Lateral Design
However, as water is discharged from the
sprinklers on the lateral the flow rate decreases
with distance along the lateral. Ultimately, the
only flow in the last joint of the lateral is that
discharged from the last sprinkler on the
lateral.
Of course there is very little loss in the lateral
for such a small flow. The diagram in Figure
(NEXT) shows that the friction loss for a lateral
is about 35% of the loss encountered in a
mainline pipe of the same diameter when flow
rate into the mainline and lateral are the same.

16

Lateral Design
The average pressure along the lateral on level
ground occurs at a location about 1/4 to 1/3 of
the way from the inlet of the lateral. Obviously
since pressure varies along the lateral the
discharge also varies.
Sprinkler systems are usually designed to
select the nozzle size for the average pressure
along the lateral. Then the pressure at each
end of the lateral is computed.

Lateral Design

Lateral Design

The diagram in the pressure loss Figure

shows that the average pressure is closer to
the pressure at the distal end of the lateral
than to the pressure at the inlet of the lateral.
For practical purposes the pressure at each
end of a lateral on level g
ground can be
computed by:
Pi = Pa + Pl

Equation 5

Pd = Pa Pl

Equation 6

Lateral Design

Pd = Pa Pl
where:
lateral

Pi = pressure at the inlet into

the lateral (psi),
g pressure
p
along
g the
Pa = average
(psi),
Pd = pressure at the distal end of the
lateral (psi), and
Pl = pressure loss along the lateral
(psi).

Lateral Design

From a practical perspective, the maximum

acceptable pressure loss along a lateral
placed on level ground equals 23.4% of the
average, or design, pressure of the lateral. In
other words,
Maximum Pl < 0.234 Pa

Pi = Pa + Pl

Equation 6

When a lateral runs up or down hill, the change in

elevation causes changes in pressure. An
elevation change of 10 feet is equal to a pressure
change of 4.3 psi.
Thus, when laterals run downhill there is less
pressure variation from the inlet to the distal end
than for laterals on level ground because the
slope provides some pressure increase. When
laterals run uphill the pressure in the lateral
drops because of friction and because of the
change in elevation.

17

Lateral Design (EQUATION

(EQUATION 7)

3
1 E Ed
Pi Pa Pl i

4
2 2.31
1
1 E Ed
Pd Pa Pl i

4
2 2.31
where:

Example 4
Given:
Given:
A sprinkler lateral was designed for
an average pressure of 50 psi and sprinkler
heads with one 5/32 inch nozzle in each
sprinkler head.
The sprinkler lateral is made of 4 inch diameter
aluminum pipe with joints 30 feet long. There is
one sprinkler outlet at the end of each joint of
pipe. The lateral is 1,320 feet long.

Ei = the elevation of the inlet to the lateral (ft) and

Ed = the elevation of the distal end of the lateral (ft).

Lateral Design

Example 4

Example 4

Solution:: There are 44 sprinklers on the lateral

Solution
(i.e., 1,320 feet with 30 feet between sprinklers).
With 5/32 inch nozzles, the average flow is 5 gpm
per sprinkler and the total flow for the lateral is
220 gpm (5 x 44 sprinklers).

a) The pressure at the inlet and distal

Find:
Find:
ends of the lateral if the lateral is on level
ground. b) The pressure at each end of the
lateral if the lateral runs down a uniform 2%
grade. c) The pressure at each end of the
lateral if the lateral runs up a uniform 2% grade.
Which of these systems meet the ASAE criteria
for pressure variation in laterals

Aluminum pipe with couplers has a C value of

120 in the HazenHazen-Williams equation so the
friction loss for a mainline with a flow rate of 220
gpm through a 4 inch aluminum pipe is given by:

Example 4

Lateral Design

Pm = 4.53 [Q/C] 1.852 [1/D 4.871] * L

Example 4

Pm = 4.53 [220/120] 1.852 [1/4.0 4.871] 1320 =

21.5 psi

The multiple outlet friction factor (F) for a

lateral with 44 sprinklers is about 0.36 so the
friction loss for the lateral is:

where Pm = the pressure loss in a mainline of

constant diameter and flow.

Pl = F Pm = 0.36 x 21.5 psi = 7.7 psi.

18

Example 4

Example 4

The pressure at the inlet to the lateral for level

ground is:

The pressure variation along the lateral is 7.7

psi compared to the average pressure of 50
psi. The variation is 15.4% of the average
pressure and is less than the maximum
permissible pressure variation so the lateral
meets the ASAE standard.

Pi = Pa + 3/4 Pl = 50 + 0.75 x 7.7 = 56 psi.

The pressure at the distal end of the lateral for
level ground is:
Pd = Pa - 1/4 Pl = 50 - 0.25 x 7.7 = 48 psi.

Example 4
Example 4
When the lateral runs down a 2% grade, the
elevation change along the lateral is:
Ei - Ed = 0.02 x 1320 ft = 26.4 ft. So the inlet is
about 26 feet above the distal end.

The pressures at the inlet and distal ends are

then:
Pi = Pa + 3/4 Pl - 0.5 (Ei - Ed)/2.31Pi (Equation 7)
= 50 + 0
0.75
75 X 7
7.7
7 - 0.5
0 5 x 26
26.4/2.31
4/2 31 = 50.1
50 1 psi
Pd = Pa - 1/4 Pl + 0.5 (Ei - Ed)/2.31 (Equation 7)
= 50 - 0.25 X 7.7 + 0.5 X 26.4/2.31 = 53.8 psi

Here the pressure variation is only 3.7 psi,

well within the allowable variation. Note that
the highest pressure occurs at the distal end
of the lateral for this case.
When the lateral runs uphill the elevation of
the inlet is now below the distal end so the
value of (Ei - Ed) = -26.4 feet. Using this value
and the method in Part B the pressures at the
ends of the lateral are:

Example 11.4
Pi = 61.5 psi and Pd = 42.4 psi.
Now the pressure variation is about 19 psi or
38% of the average pressure which is
unacceptable according to the standard.

19