Analysis of Complex Pipe Networks:

Hardy-Cross Method
• In this method, the corrections are applied to the assumed flow in each successive
trial.
• The head loss in each pipe is determined by pipe flow formula.
• The successive corrections are made in the flows in each pipe until the heads are
balanced and the principle of continuity is satisfied at each junction.
 Hardy-Cross Method
• Now if Q a be the assumed flow in pipe and Q be the actual flow in that pipe, then
correction will be given by the equation:-

∆ = Q-Q a

Q = Q a+ ∆ .................................... (1)

• If the head loss in the pipe under reference is H L, it can be determined by the
formula:-
HL = k .Qa (k is a constant depending upon the size of the pipe)
 Hardy-Cross Method
• The head loss can also be determined by Hazen-William’s formula,

HL = k. Q^1.85
Now putting Q = Qa + ∆ from (1)
HL = k (Qa + ∆)
= k (Qxa + xQx-1 ∆)
......................neglecting terms containing higher power of ∆
 Hardy-Cross Method

• In the closed network of a pipe line, the total loss of head must be zero

∑k (Qxa + x Qx-1 ∆) = 0

∑(k Qxa ) = - ∑(kQx-1 x ∆)

∑(k Qxa ) = - ∆∑(kQx-1 x )

∆ = - (∑ (k Qx a ) / ∑(kQx-1 x ))

= -∑ HL / x∑ (HL / Qa)

• The value of x is taken 1.85 (as per Hazen Williams formula) in this method known
as Hardy cross method.
 Equivalent pipe method
• This method is sometimes used as an aid in solving large networks of pipes in
which it becomes convenient to, first of all, replace the different small loops by
single equivalent pipes having the same head loss.
 Equivalent pipe method
• In this method, pipe circuit can be reduced into a single equivalent pipe of using
the following two principles of hydraulics:
I. The loss of head caused by a given flow of water through the pipes connected in
series, is additive.
II. The quantity of discharge flowing through the different pipes connected in
parallel will be such as to cause equal head loss through each pipe.
 Capacity by mass curve method:
• The mass curve or consumption and yield can be used to determine the reservoir
storage capacity.
• The demand lines drawn tangent to the high point A.B.C........ of the mass curve,
represent the rate of withdrawal from the reservoir.
• Point P, Q, R at which the demand line intersecting the mass curve of consumption
denotes the points, at which the reservoir is full.
 Capacity by mass curve method
• The vertical distance at any point
between the demand line and the mass
curve of consumption, denotes the
water wasted over the spillway.
• The design of the spillway should be
done such that, it should be sufficient
to discharge the flood water.
 Capacity by mass curve method:
• When the total yield is more than the total consumption, the mass curve of yield
remains above the mass curve of consumption and vice versa.
• The storage capacity or the requirement in dry weather will be found by adding
maximum ordinates of loops in the adjoining deficit and excess periods.
 Capacity by mass curve method:
• If the cumulative quantity of water yield is continuously in excess, both the mass
both curves interact each other, which denotes that before this point the yield was
less than the estimated consumption.
• For this period necessary provision or water is to be made. The same principle can
be used for designing the balancing capacity of a reservoir as well.
 Capacity by mass curve method:
• If the cumulative quantity of water yield is continuously in excess, both the mass
both curves interact each other, which denotes that before this point the yield was
less than the estimated consumption.
• For this period necessary provision or water is to be made. The same principle can
be used for designing the balancing capacity of a reservoir as well.
 Pipe network analysis
• In fluid dynamics, pipe network analysis is the analysis of the fluid flow through
a hydraulics network, containing several or many interconnected branches.
• The aim is to determine the flow rates and pressure drops in the individual sections
of the network. This is a common problem in hydraulic design.
 Deterministic network analysis
• Once the friction factors of the pipes are obtained (Darcy-Weisbach equation), we
can consider how to calculate the flow rates and head losses on the network.
• Generally the head losses (potential differences) at each node are neglected, and a
solution is sought for the steady-state flows on the network, taking into account the
pipe specifications (lengths and diameters), pipe friction properties and known
flow rates or head losses.
 The steady-state flows on the network must satisfy two conditions:
I. At any junction, the total flow into a junction equals the total flow out of that
junction (law of conservation of mass, or continuity law)
II. Between any two junctions, the head loss is independent of the path taken (law of
conservation of energy, or Kirchhoff's second law).
III. This is equivalent mathematically to the statement that on any closed loop in the
network, the head loss around the loop must vanish.
 Design of water distribution network by using
EPANET software
• EPANET is user friendly software which helps to design the water distribution
network for any required area like for any domestic house hold usages or any
commercial exercises.
• EPANET is a computer program that performs extended period simulation of
hydraulic and water quality behavior with in pressurized pipe networks.
• A network consists of pipes, pumps, valves, nodes (pipe junctions) and storage
tanks or reservoirs.
Study area
 EPANET software
• The study examined the water demand analysis of Public Water Supply in
rural area using EPANET 2.0 software with the aim of providing effective
planning, development and operation of water supply and distribution
networks which is one of the most essential components of any water
distribution networks.
 EPANET software
• For this study, various other tools have been used to create the geometry of water
distribution network for study area, such as Google earth, arc GIS shape files, MS
excel tools.
• Parameters include water demand, study area population and also distribution
network parameters such as; elevations, pipe diameter, pipe length, base demand.