Branching Pipe Systems

Introduction
• Sometimes number of reservoir are necessary to be interconnected
by a piping system.
• Such a pipe system consists of number of pipes (main pipe and
branch pipes) connecting the reservoir and meeting a junction, the
system is called branching pipe system.
• The main focal point while solving such problem is the junction. Note
that for junction continuity equation must be satisfied.
• We generally use three basic equation namely Bernoulli's equation ;
Darcy Weihbach equation and continuity equation for solving 3
reservoir problems.
Problems :
1. To find discharge (Q)
2. Direction of flow in each pipe
Given :
1. Length
2. Diameter
3. Frictional factor or coefficient of friction for all pipes.
Assumptions
1. All pipes are sufficiently long so that minor head losses are neglected.
2. Reservoir are very large and the water surface levels in the reservoir
are constant so that steady condition exist in the pipes i.e.; velocity
head are neglected.
Note:
• The most important point in such problems is junction point.
• Depending upon the piezometric head at the junction D (ZD)
1. from junction to reservoir B.
2. Or the flow may takes place towards the junction D from reservoir B
3. Or there would not be flow from junction to reservoir B
This arises possible 3 problems or cases
But in any case the algebraic sum of the flow at the junction must be
zero ( inflow must be equal to out flow).
Case I: Liquid is flowing from reservoir A to junction D then from
Junction D to reservoir B and reservoir C.
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝐵 + 𝑄𝐶 , if the piezometric head at junction D is more the
elevation at reservoir B and C i.e.,: 𝑍𝐷 > 𝑍𝐵 and 𝑍𝐶 .
In this situation, we can write the head losses equation in the form of
𝑟𝑄 2 as:
• 𝑍𝐴 = 𝑍𝐶 + 𝑟𝐴 𝑄𝐴2 + 𝑟𝐶 𝑄𝐶2
• 𝑍𝐴 = 𝑍𝐵 +𝑟𝐴 𝑄𝐴2 + 𝑟𝐵 𝑄𝐵2
• 𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝐵 + 𝑄𝐶
Case II: Liquid is flowing from reservoir A to junction D then from
reservoir B to junction D and reservoir C.
𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝐵 = 𝑄𝐶 , if the piezometric head at junction D is less the elevation
at reservoir B i.e.,: 𝑍𝐷 < 𝑍𝐵 .In this situation, we can write the head
losses equation in the form of 𝑟𝑄 2 as:
• 𝑍𝐴 = 𝑍𝐶 + 𝑟𝐴 𝑄𝐴2 + 𝑟𝐶 𝑄𝐶2
• 𝑍𝐵 = 𝑍𝐶 + 𝑟𝐵 𝑄𝐵2 + 𝑟𝐶 𝑄𝐶2
• 𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝐵 = 𝑄𝐶
Case III: Liquid is flowing from reservoir A to junction D but there is no
flow from junction D to reservoir B.( No inflow and outflow from
reservoir B)
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝐶 , if the piezometric head at junction D is equal to the total head
at reservoir B. i.e., 𝑍𝐷 = 𝑍𝐵
In this situation, we can write the head losses equation in the form of
𝑟𝑄 2 as:
• 𝑍𝐴 = 𝑍𝐶 +𝑟𝐴 𝑄𝐴2 + 𝑟𝐶 𝑄𝐶2
• 𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝐶
Type I
Known : 𝑄𝐴 , 𝑍𝐴 , 𝑍𝐵
Unknown : 𝑄𝐵 , 𝑄𝐶 , 𝑍𝐶
Procedure
𝟖𝒇𝑨𝑫 𝑳𝑨 𝑸𝟐𝑨
• From 𝑄𝐴 , find ℎ𝑓𝐴𝐷 = 𝑟𝐴𝐷 𝑄𝐴2 , 𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒇𝑨𝑫 =
𝝅𝟐 𝒈𝑫𝟓𝑨
• Knowing the head loss calculate piezometric head Total head at junction D.
(apply Bernaulii′ s equation between A and junction D)
𝑍𝐷 = 𝑍𝐴 − ℎ𝑓𝐴𝐷
• Compare between 𝑍𝐷 and 𝑍𝐵 ,
if 𝑍𝐷 > 𝑍𝐵 , then, ℎ𝑓𝐵𝐷 = 𝑍𝐷 − 𝑍𝐵
otherwise ℎ𝑓𝐵𝐷 = 𝑍𝐵 − 𝑍𝐷
• From step 3. Find 𝑄𝐵 𝑖. 𝑒. ; ℎ𝑓𝐵𝐷 = 𝑟𝐵 𝑄𝐵2
• From known value of 𝑄𝐵 Find 𝑄𝐶 using Continuity equation at junction.
If 𝑍𝐵 > 𝑍𝐷 ; then, 𝑄𝐶 = 𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝐵
If 𝑍𝐷 > 𝑍𝐵 ; then, 𝑄𝐶 = 𝑄𝐴 − 𝑄𝐵
• From calculated 𝑄𝐶 Find head loss in the pipe DC : ℎ𝑓𝐷𝑐 = 𝑟𝐶 𝑄𝐶2
• Once ℎ𝑓𝐷𝑐 is known Apply Bernoulli's equation at D and C to find ZC
i. e. ; 𝑍𝐷 = 𝑍𝐶 + ℎ𝑓𝐷𝐶 and find
𝑍𝐶 = 𝑍𝐷 − ℎ𝑓𝐷𝐶
(Note: in question there is mistake 0.008 is coefficient of friction not frictional factor)
Steps:
𝟖𝒇𝑨𝑫 𝑳𝑨 𝑸𝟐𝑨
• From 𝑄𝐴 , find ℎ𝑓𝐴𝐷 = 𝑟𝐴𝐷 𝑄𝐴2 , 𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒇𝑨𝑫 =
𝝅𝟐 𝒈𝑫𝟓𝑨
𝟐
𝟖 𝐱 𝟎.𝟎𝟑𝟐 𝐱 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐱 𝟎.𝟎𝟓
ℎ𝑓𝐴𝐷 = = 6.67 m
𝟑.𝟏𝟒 𝟐𝐱 𝟗.𝟖𝟏 𝐱 𝟎.𝟐𝟓 𝟓

• Apply Bernaulii′ s equation between A and junction and find 𝑍𝐷 .

𝑍𝐷 = 𝑍𝐴 − ℎ𝑓𝐴𝐷
= 45−6.67 = 38.27 𝑚

• Compare between 𝑍𝐷 and 𝑍𝐵 , and find ℎ𝑓𝐵𝐷 Since 𝑍𝐷 < 𝑍𝐵 or 𝑍𝐵 > 𝑍𝐷 flow takes
place from reservoir B to junction D.
So , ℎ𝑓𝐵𝐷 = 𝑍𝐵 − 𝑍𝐷 = 40 – 38. 27
= 1.77 m
• Find 𝑄𝐵 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑓𝐵𝐷
𝟖𝒇𝑩 𝑳𝑩 𝑸𝟐𝑩
𝑖. 𝑒. ; 𝒉𝒇𝑩𝑫 =
𝝅𝟐 𝒈𝑫𝟓𝑩
𝟖𝒙 𝟎.𝟎𝟑𝟐 𝒙 𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝒙 𝑸𝟐𝑩
1.77 =
𝟑.𝟏𝟒𝟐 𝒙𝟗.𝟖𝟏 𝒙 𝟎.𝟐 𝟓
𝑄𝐵 = 0.016 m3/sec
• From known value of 𝑄𝐵 Find 𝑄𝐶 using Continuity equation
Since 𝑍𝐵 > 𝑍𝐷 ; then, 𝑄𝐶 = 𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝐵
= 0.5 +0.016 = 0.066 m3/sec
𝟖𝒇𝑪 𝑳𝑪 𝑸𝟐𝑪 𝟖 𝒙 𝟎.𝟎𝟑𝟐 𝒙 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒙 𝟎.𝟎𝟔𝟔 𝟐
• Find head loss in the pipe DC : ℎ𝑓𝐷𝑐 = =
𝝅𝟐 𝒈𝑫𝟓𝑪 𝟑.𝟏𝟒𝟐𝟐 𝒙 𝟗.𝟖𝟏 𝒙 𝟎.𝟑 𝟓
= 5.69 m
• Apply Bernoulli's equation at D and C to find ZC
i. e. ; 𝑍𝐷 = 𝑍𝐶 + ℎ𝑓𝐷𝐶

38. 23 = 𝑍𝐶 + 5.69
Finally elevation of reservoir C (𝑍𝐶 ) = 32.45 m
Type II (Quantity Balance Method) or Trial and error method.
Known : ZA , QB , ZC
Unknown : QA , ZB , QC
 Assume ZD between ZA and ZC
 Compute hfAD and hfDC using hfAD = ZA − ZD and hfDC = ZD − ZC
 Compute QA and QC using hfAD = rAD Q2A and hfDC = rDC Q2C
 Obtain value of QB − QA − QC .
 If obtained value of QB − QA − QC is equal to zero, assumed value
of ZD is correct, otherwise repeat the process value till Q B − QA − QC
become nearly equal to zero(0.0001).
If QB − QA − QC = 0.00001 then hfBD = ZB − ZD from this calculate
ZB .

Q.no.1.Three reservoirs A, B, & C are connected by a pipe system. The

elevation of reservoir A is 25 m and C is 11 m. Flow from reservoir B is
0.06 cumec through a pipe of diameter 30 mm and length 600 m to the
junction. D, from which pipe of diameter 300 mm and length 1000 m
holds towards reservoir A. Third pipe of diameter 200 mm & length 1300
m leads from junction to reservoir ‘C’. Determine the rate of flow in other
pipes & elevation of reservoir B. Assuming that fr for all pipe is 0.04.
Given:
• ZA = 25 m
• ZC = 11 m
• QB = 0.06 m3 /sec (Note : flow is from reservoir B to junction D)
Steps:
Assume ZD between ZA and ZC i.e., between 25 m and 11 m.
∴ ZD = 15 m
Now find hf AD and hf DC using hf AD = ZA − ZD = 25 − 15 = 10m
hfDC = ZD − ZC = 15 − 11 = 4 m
 8𝑓𝑟 𝑙
For discharge calculation we need resistance coefficient (r) as
𝜋2 𝑔𝑑 5

8 × 0.04 × 1000
𝑟𝐴𝐷 = 2 = 1360.11
𝜋 × 9.81 × 0.35
8 × 0.04 × 1300
𝑟𝐷𝐶 = 2 5
= 13426.86
𝜋 × 9.81 × 0.2
8 × 0.04 × 600
𝑟𝐵𝐷 = 2 5
= 816.07
𝜋 × 9.81 × 0.3

 Calculate Q A and Q C using hfAD = rAD Q2A and hfDC = rDC Q2C
10
• QA = = 0.857 m3 /sec
1360.11
4
• QC = = 0.01726 m3 /sec.
13426.86
Check Q B − QA − QC = 0 or not
here ,QB − QA − QC = 0.06 − 0.087 − 0.01726 = −0.00848 ≠
0(not ok) so we need to repeat the procedure.
 ZD hf AD QA hf DC QC Q B- (Q A-Q C)=0
15 10 0.0857 4.0 0.0173 - 0.0085
16 9 0.0813 5.0 0.0193 - 0.0020
17 8 0.0767 6.0 0.0211 0.0044
16.5 8.5 0.0791 5.5 0.0202 0.0012
16.6 8.4 0.0786 5.6 0.0204 0.0018
16.3 8.7 0.0800 5.3 0.0199 - 0.0001
16.4 8.6 0.0795 5.4 0.0201 0.0005
16.38 8.62 0.0796 5.38 0.0200 0.0004
16.32 8.68 0.0799 5.32 0.0199 0.0000
Finally for Q B − QA − QC = 0.00001 then hfBD = ZB − ZD
From iteration Table :
𝑄𝐴 = 0.079 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑄𝐶 = 0.0202 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑍𝐷 = 16.5 𝑚
Type III
Known : 𝑍𝐴 , 𝑍𝐵 , 𝑍𝐶
Unknown: 𝑄𝐴 , 𝑄𝐵 , 𝑄𝐶
Solution procedure:-
 Assume 𝑍𝐷 = 𝑍𝐵 [i.e. no flow to reservoir B from junction D and vice versa]
 Calculate ℎ𝑓 & ℎ𝑓 using
𝐴𝐷 𝐷𝐶
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑍𝐴 − 𝑍𝐷
𝐴𝐷
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑍𝐷 − 𝑍𝐶
𝐷𝐶
 Calculate 𝑄𝐴 & 𝑄𝐶 , 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑟𝐴𝐷 × 𝑄𝐴2
𝐴𝐷
ℎ𝑓 = 𝑟𝐷𝐶 × 𝑄𝐶2
𝐷𝐶
If 𝑄𝐴 > 𝑄𝐶 → flow will takes place towards reservoir
• (𝑍𝐷 > 𝑍𝐵 ) [We need to increase 𝑍𝐷 & find 𝑄𝐴 , 𝑄𝐵 & 𝑄𝐶 ]
 If 𝑄𝐴 < 𝑄𝐶 → flow will takes place from reservoir B to junction D
• (𝑍𝐷 < 𝑍𝐵 ) [We need to decrease 𝑍𝐷 & find 𝑄𝐴 , 𝑄𝐵 & 𝑄𝐶 ]
Apply continuity equation at junction D and Find 𝑄𝐵 − (𝑄𝐴 − 𝑄𝐶 ). If
this value is equal to zero, choosen value of ZD is correct otherwise
repeat the procedure till 𝑄𝐵 − 𝑄𝐴 − 𝑄𝐶 = 0
 Q no 1.
For three reservoir problem , ZA = 150 m, ZB = 100 m and ZC = 30 m
𝑟𝐴𝐷 = 3.1719 , 𝑟𝐷𝐵 = 38.08 and 𝑟𝐷𝐶 = 15.716 ,Calculate 𝑄𝐴 , 𝑄𝐵 and 𝑄𝐶

Note: In given question we have given resistance coefficient for all pipes
but in case if these value is not given, diameter, length and frictional
factor or coefficient of friction foe each pipe will be given and from these
parameters we have to calculate the resistance coefficient using (r) =
8𝑓𝑟 𝑙
𝜋2 𝑔𝑑 5
ZD hf AD hf BD hf DC QA QB QC (QB -(QA-QC)=0 REMARKS

flow from D to
100 50 0 70 3.66667 0.00000 2.10752 -1.55915 B
flow from D to
105 45 5 75 3.47851 0.36236 2.18149 -0.93467 B
flow from D to
110 40 10 80 3.27957 0.51245 2.25303 -0.51409 B
flow from D to
115 35 15 85 3.06776 0.62762 2.32237 -0.11777 B
flow from D to
116 34 16 86 3.02361 0.64820 2.33599 -0.03942 B
flow from D to