Hydraulics is defined as the study of fluid behavior, at rest and in motion Properly designed piping with sound hydraulics can: - Greatly reduce maintenance problems over the life of an irrigation system. - Reduce installation cost

Static water pressure

Dynamic water pressure

The industry has established 5 ft/s as an acceptable maximum velocity. Velocities less than 5 ft/s are less likely to cause damaging surge pressures Pressure losses due to friction increase rapidly as velocities increase beyond 5 ft/s

Calculating water meter capacity and working pressure The pressure loss through the water meter should not exceed 10% of the minimum static water pressure available The maximum flow through the meter for irrigation should not exceed 75% of the maximum safe flow of the meter The velocity of flow through the service line should not exceed 5 to 7-1/2 ft/s

Find critical circuit path – the path with the most pressure loss