Microirrigation Lateral Design using Lateral Discharge Equation

Abstract

A simple and accurate method is developed for designing single, paired, and tapered microirrigation laterals. The hydraulics of the lateral is evaluated using a lateral discharge equation approach. A simple power equation is used to express the relationship between the inlet flow rate and inlet pressure head of the lateral. Keeping the flow variation within the specified limit, a procedure for designing the length of the tapered section is developed. The lateral is designed using a step-by-step method. The length of the tapered section is determined by the golden section search method.