PIPE NETWORK ANALYSIS

Presented byAzaz Ahmed.

CIB-09-015.
Department of Civil Engineering
School of Engineering, Tezpur University, Napaam 784028, Tezpur,
Assam, India

INTRODUCTION
Pipe Network
An interconnected system of pipes forming several
loops or circuits.
E.g.- Municipal water distribution systems in cities.
Fl
o

in

C
Fig.: Pipe Network

D Flo

ou w
t

Pipe network
Necessary conditions for any network of pipes
The flow into each junction must be equal to the
flow out of the junction. This is due to the
continuity equation.
The algebraic sum of head losses round each loop
must be zero.
The head loss in each pipe is expressed as hf =
kQn. For Turbulent flow, n = 2.

Pipe network problems are difficult

to solve analytically.
As such HARDY CROSS METHOD
which uses successive approximations is used.

Hardy cross method

A trial distribution of discharges is made
arbitrary in such a way that continuity
equation is satisfied at each junction.

With the assumed values of Q, the head loss

in each pipe is calculated according the
following equation

hf =
kQ2

Wher
e,

4f x
K
L
2g
x
(4)
=
D5 x considering
2
Head loss around each loop is calculated

the head loss to be positive in CW-flow and negative

in CCW-flow.

If the net head loss due to assumed values of Q round

the loop is zero, then the assumed values of Q are
correct.
But if the net head loss due to assumed values of Q is
not zero, then the assumed values of Q are corrected
by introducing a correction delta Q for the flows, till
circuit is balanced.
The correction factor is obtained by-

-
Q (kQ02)

=
(2kQ0

If the Correction factor comes out to be positive, then it

should be added to the flows in the CW direction and
subtracted from the flows in the CCW direction.
After the corrections have been applied to each pipe in a
loop and to all loops, a second trial calculation is made
for all loops. The procedure is repeated till Delta Q
becomes negligible.

Let us consider a problem.

D

K= 4

2
0

K= 2

K= 1

4
0
K= 1

A
K= 2

9
0

3
0

We have to calculate discharge in each pipe of the network.

First Trial
D

K= 4

2
0

3
0

K= 2

4
0

2
0
1
0
6
0

K= 1

2
0

K= 2

9
0
Discharges are assumed as in the
above figure

K= 1

3
0

Loop ADB
Pipe

Hf=
kQ2

2kQ

AD
DB
AB
Total

4
1
2

30
10
60

3600
-100
-7200
-3700

240
20
240
500

Q1 = 7.4

Loop DCB
Pipe

Hf=
kQ2

2kQ

DC
CB
BD
Total

2
1
1

20
20
10

800
-400
100
500

80
40
20
140

Q2 = -3.6

Corrected flow for second trial.

Pipe

Correction

Flow Direction

AD

30 + 7.4

37.4

CW

AB

60 7.4

52.6

CCW

BD

10 7.4

2.6

CCW

DC

20 3.6

16.4

CW

BC

20 + 3.6

23.6

CCW

BD

2.6 3.6

-1

CW

Second Trial
D

K= 4

2
0

K= 2

4
0

16.
4

37.
4

1
52.
6

K= 1

23.
6

K= 2

9
0
Discharges for the second trial

K= 1

3
0

Loop ADB
Pipe

AD
DB
AB

4
1
2

37.4
1
52.6

Total

Hf=
kQ2

2kQ

5595 299.2
1
2
-5533.5 210.4
62.54

Q1 = -0.1

511.6

Loop DCB
Pipe

Hf=
kQ2

2kQ

DC
CB
BD
Total

2
1
1

16.4
23.6
1

537.9
-556.9
-1
-20

65.6
47.2
2
114.8

Q2 = 0.2

Since Q1 and Q2 are

very small, the
correction is applied
and furthur trials are
discontinued.

Corrected flow for second trial.

Pipe

Correction

Flow Direction

AD

37.4 0.1

37.3

CW

AB

52.6 + 0.1

52.7

CCW

BD

1 0.1

0.9

CW

DC

16.4 + 0.2

16.6

CW

BC

23.6 0.2

23.4

CCW

BD

0.9 0.2

0.7

CCW

Final Discharge
D

K= 4

2
0

K= 2

4
0

16.
6

37.
3

0.
7
52.
7

K= 1

23.
4

K= 2

9
0
Final Distribution of discharges.

K= 1

3
0

Hereby we conclude Hardy Cross method.

Thank you for your

time
and patience.