Applying the WaterGEMS Software to Conduct a Comparison of the Darcy-Weisbach and Hazen-Williams Equations for Calculating the Frictional Head Loss in a Selected Pipe Network

Abstract

Darcy-Weisbach (D-W) is a typical resistance equation in pressured flow; however, some academics and engineers prefer Hazen-Williams (H-W) for assessing water distribution networks. The main difference is that the (D-W) friction factor changes with the Reynolds number, while the (H-W) coefficient is a constant value for a certain material. This study uses WaterGEMS CONNECT Edition update 1 to find an empirical relation between the (H-W) and (H-W) equations for two 400 mm and 500 mm pipe systems. The hydraulic model was done, and two scenarios were applied by changing the (H-W) coefficient to show the difference in results of head loss. The results showed a strong relationship between both equations with correlation coefficients of 0.999, 0.998, and 0.993 for 500 mm pipes and 0.998, 0.999, and 0.996 for 400 mm pipes for the applied scenarios. The results also showed that the head loss when using the (H-W) equation for old pipe is more than the (D-W) equation.

A Systematic Hydraulic Analysis and Evaluation of the Epanet Software and Techniques on the Water Network of Elizade University

“…Efficient water distribution and supply are of predominant vital in the engineering design and operation of new and existing water supply and water distribution networks or the flourishing of the existing water supply and distribution scheme (Sreemathy et al, 2017). In the case of the water treatment and processing industry, pipeline troubles bring grievous consequences, inducing traffic fatal accidents and death, flooding, financial, time and materials losses and the break of the water distribution supply (Abdulsamad and Abdulrazzaq, 2023;Hamad et al, 2023). Various factors govern the selection of materials for pipe networks and pipelines.…”

“…Where; Re is equivalent to Reynolds number (dimensionless); α is equivalent to the density of the fluid or average discharge density (kgm -3 ); δ is equivalent to average discharge or discharge rate (m 3 s -1 ); d is equivalent to length index or pipe diameter (mm or m); γ is equivalent to a dynamic viscosity of the fluid (kgms -1 ); λ is equivalent to wall roughness of the individual pipe (mm or m). More studies on head loss computation, water supply and distribution and pipe network analysis can be established in the previous studies such as Nielsen (1989); Swamee and Sharma (2008) 2023) and Abdulsamad and Abdulrazzaq (2023). These previous studies have reported and documented several computer programs which can easily be used on personal laptops and computers to easy pipe network analysis, water distribution design and pipeline design.…”

“…These stated programs are known for water supply, distribution and management. The commercial programs include HydrauliCAD, Archimede, H2Onet, Cross, Synergi Water, Eraclito, Synergi Water, Helix delta-Q, DisNet, Netis, Branch, OptiDesigner, WATSYS, Wadiso SA, UNWB-LOOP, Aquis, EPANET (Karim and Sahib, 2019;Jumanalmath Shivapur, 2017), WADISO, MODPATH, Fluidflow, WATERGEM (Abdulsamad and Abdulrazzaq 2023;Aathira and Elangovan, 2021), MODFLOW, MODFLOW-USG (Georgescu et al, 2014;Anisha, 2016;Jia et al, 2008;Iglesias-Rey et al, 2017)., MT3DMS, SEAWAT, RT3D (Alkali,et al, 2017;Kachhawa and Borana, 2022) Ghonim et al (2024). It is essential to look into the adequacy and establish a dependable network ascertaining adequate discharge rate, velocity of discharge and pressure head at user nodes.…”