Comparison and Validation of Models for the Design of Optimal Economic Pipe Diameters: A Case Study in the Anseba Region, Eritrea

Abstract

An optimal design for a pressurized flow pipe network is characterized by being economical and contributing the least amount of losses during water transmission through the system. The diameter of a pipe in a network system that delivers the desired effect with the minimum amount of waste and expenses is referred to as an optimal pipe size. The Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) model is widely recognized as the recommended standard technique to estimate the optimal pipe size for any pipe flow network system. Numerous empirical formulas have been proposed to simplify the computations required in this economic analysis model. This study seeks to compare the various empirical models that have been proposed by different authors based on a variety of physical variables involved in fluid flow dynamics. Eleven different empirical equations were chosen in order to select the optimal diameter for the network at the Hamelmalo Agricultural College farm located in the Anseba region of Eritrea for the distribution of water to the different sub-plots. The estimated diameters were compared to the standard diameter calculated using the standard LCCA method. This comparison was based on the estimated total head losses and economic analysis of the pipe diameters chosen for such network. Moreover, a statistical analysis was conducted to obtain the best-fit recommended modeled diameter for the network. The Bresse’s model performance was the most adequate when compared with the LCCA model.

Keywords

• optimal pipe size design
• pressurized flow network
• life-cycle cost analysis model
• empirical equation models
• statistical analysis