Design Methodology for Supply Water Distribution Network; Case Study: Al-Hadeka District, Garaboulli-Libya

Abstract

Pipe network is a hydraulic network containing several or many inter-connected branches where fluid (water) flows through it. This paper presents a design methodology for a supply water pipe network for Al-Hadeka district at Garaboulli-Libya. The proposed network provides water to 150 residential units with an average occupation density of 7 persons per unit. The main objective is to determine the flow rate and pressure head at each individual section of the network in addition to water demand of the region. The governing differential equations were formulated based on the continuity and the energy equations. Hardy Cross Method and EPANET Software were implemented to perform the calculations. Two cases were analyzed and investigated, namely, gravity flow and forced flow. Results of both cases were interpreted and compared. There is a good agreement between the results of both methods, in terms of flow velocities in pipes and pressure heads. These values lie in the allowable range in accordance with the known standards and specifications for water distribution networks. The use of the available software, EPANET, for analysis saves time and effort and gives acceptable results of appropriate precision.