Pressure-Discharge Relations with Application to Head-Driven Simulation of Water Distribution Networks

The pressure-discharge relation used in continuity equations is one of the most important components of hydraulic models based on head-driven simulation method, as it has a great impact on the accuracy of the results of these models. Several pressure-discharge relations have been proposed and used in head-driven simulation method, but there are no laboratory and field studies available regarding the accuracy and correctness of these relations. In this research a laboratory set up and a field investigation in some parts of a real water distribution network are used to collect the required data. Flow discharge data from different faucets, based on laboratory and field measurements, are used to compare the proposed pressure-discharge relationships. Furthermore, in this paper, a new pressure-discharge relation is proposed for volumetric and human-based demands that is more reasonable than some previous relations and can be used in pressure-dependent models. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.