Development of a Mathematical Model Using Dimensional Analysis for Predicting the Friction Losses in Drip Irrigation Laterals with Cylindrical Type In-Line Emitters

Authors : Vedat DEMİR, Hüseyin YÜRDEM, Adnan DEĞİRMENCİOĞLU

Pages : 101-107

View : 17 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2004-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This paper presents a prediction model developed using dimensional analysis for friction losses in drip irrigation laterals. Drip irrigation laterals with cylindrical type in-line emitters placed at different spacings ranging from 0.2 to 1 m were considered. The parameters affecting the variation in friction losses in laterals were defined as dimensionless terms using Buckingham`s pi theorem. In order to develop a model, experimental friction loss data from 14 different drip irrigation pipes, and some domestic and some imported ones with the above-mentioned spacings were used. The model developed in this study accounted for 98.7% of the variation in the data. The results showed that the mathematical model may be used to determine friction losses in drip laterals with cylindrical type in-line emitters with spacings ranging from 0.2 to 1 m.
Keywords : Drip irrigation, emitters, friction loss, mathematical model, dimensional analysis