Hydraulics of Catenary Irrigation Trail Tubes

Abstract

Trail tubes are perforated polyethylene hoses used to replace sprinklers on moving irrigation machines. Trail tube irrigation system is similar in concept to a traveling drip irrigation system. A catenary trail tube is a special type of trail tube that uses the total length of the tube for water distribution. The potential advantages of tube irrigation are low energy requirements and high water use efficiencies. Hydraulic theory of catenary trail tubes, including the flow rate and the pressure distribution along the tube, are presented.