Simple Pressure Parameters for Micro-irrigation Design

Simple pressure parameters along a lateral line or in a rectangular submain unit such as maximum pressure, minimum pressure and average pressure can be used for the hydraulic design of micro-irrigation systems. This is based on the fact that simple pressure ratios; minimum pressure to maximum pressure, and minimum pressure to average pressure are all indications of the uniformity of micro-irrigation systems. A definite relationship between the total friction pressure loss and maximum and minimum pressure difference, or average and minimum can be determined for a micro-irrigation system under different field slope situations. When a nominal pressure head (10 m) is set for the average or maximum pressure, the minimum pressure can be determined based on the selected design criteria. The total friction pressure loss can be considered as the sum of the total friction pressure loss for the lateral and submain. The length of the lateral and the size of submain can be determined from the respective total friction pressure losses.