Comparison and selection of furrow irrigation models

The capability of hydrodynamic, zero-inertia, kinematic-wave and volume-balance models to predict advance and recession phases in furrow irrigation were compared against two sets of field data, providing a wide range of soil conditions and field slopes. The input parameters required for each model were studied, and a simple sensitivity analysis was performed for field slope, furrow geometry, roughness coefficient, infiltration constants, time step, and discharge. The accuracy of the models' predictions depends on the precision of the measurements and the estimation of the input parameters. Excellent prediction of the advance and recession phases were obtained with hydrodynamic, zero-inertia and kinematic-wave models. Those models therefore are preferred in design and management in furrow irrigation.     

Zero-inertia model for surge flow furrow irrigation

Summary A surge flow furrow irrigation model was developed based on the zero-inertia concept originally developed by Strelkoff and Kastapodes, (1977) for border irrigation and later modified for continuous furrow irrigation by Elliot et al. (1982). The model simulates all phases of continuous and surge flow irrigation including simultaneous advance and recession and can also be applied to basin and border irrigation with various field slopes. The surge model was verified for a wide range of actual field conditions and management alternatives. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the size of time step and the physical input parameters.     

Two-dimensional zero-inertia model of surface water flow for basin irrigation based on the standard scalar parabolic type

The two-dimensional zero-inertia equations for basin irrigation were formulated as a standard scalar diffusion equation subject to Neumann boundary conditions. The formulation can handle anisotropic variations in hydraulic resistance. A numerical solution was developed using finite-volume method on unstructured triangular cells. The simulation performance of the constructed model was validated based on typical experimental data. The complete hydrodynamic model of basin irrigation was selected as the comparative model. The validated results show that the constructed model can successfully simulate the basin surface water flow when the basin surface microtopography condition is relatively smooth. Similar results were found in terms of both the water quantity conservation and convergence rate. Moreover, the computational efficiency of the constructed zero-inertia model is approximately 17 times of the complete hydrodynamic model of basin irrigation. Therefore, the constructed zero-inertia model has good simulation performance.     

Use of kinematic wave theory to model irrigation on cracking soil

Border irrigation in Australia is characterised by excessive run-off and variable water use efficiencies. This paper discusses an analytical irrigation model that, because of its simplicity, represents a tool for improving water management in border irrigation. Infiltration data on four replicate 75-m² plots were obtained from one irrigation of perennial pasture on a duplex, red-brown earth. Infiltration was characterised by high initial and low final rates. Kostiakov, modified Kostiakov, Horton, Philip and linear infiltration functions were fitted to the data. The linear function fitted the data well, and the parameters have physical interpretation. Consequently, an analytical kinematic wave model of border irrigation that incorporates the linear infiltration function is discussed. The analytical model was compared to more complex numerical models of border irrigation. The analytical model does not require a computer and performed sufficiently well to have application for border irrigation management in the field. Received: 6 January 1993     

Hydrodynamics of surface irrigation: vertical structure of the surge front

A model for surface irrigation is developed that allows the determination of the vertical structure of the velocity profile in the vicinity of the wave front. The pressure is not assumed to be hydrostatically distributed and no assumptions are made regarding the shape of the freesurface profile. The turbulent kinetic energy and rate of dissipation are computed by a two-equation model and accurate determination of the bottom shear makes possible the analysis of particle suspension. The model is based on a two-dimensional finite element model in the vertical plane and uses the kinematic condition for determining the position of the free surface. It also incorporates a numerical technique for describing surface penetration and wave breaking by combining a Lagrangian approach that allows the computational nodes to move individually and then automatically reshapes the element grid. The potential value of the model lies in its ability to provide information on vertical mixing, settling and suspension of contaminated solids commonly found in irrigation applications.     

Evaluation of infiltration measurements for border irrigation

A number of methods are discussed for obtaining a reasonable estimate of the infiltration function for irrigation borders. Data from ring infiltrometers are fit to power functions for infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration rate versus time and to a branch function where the infiltration rate is not allowed to go below some value (called the final infiltration rate). A volume balance within the border is used to adjust the data to give a better indication of the “average” infiltration conditions over the border. The results of Bouwer's method, which uses a series of borders as infiltrometers, were compared to the results of ring data for actual field data. Bower's method was also analyzed by developing advance and recession curves with the zero-inertia border-irrigation model with a known infiltration rate. The zero-inertia model was also used to examine the effect of different infiltration functions for specific examples (resulting from different irrigations or different estimation methods) on the application of water by surface irrigation.     

畦灌灌水要素决策服务系统

根据精细灌溉的要求,采用零惯量模型和土壤入渗理论,开发建立了可进行畦灌水流运动模拟、灌水质量评价、灌水技术参数优化、利用灌溉试验资料率定糙率和入渗参数等功能的畦灌决策计算机服务系统,该系统可为灌区技术人员确定畦灌技术参数、指导灌水实践提供决策服务,也可作为科研人员研究节水灌溉的一种技术工具。     

基于非恒定渐变流-急变流方程的变流量畦灌数值模型

传统畦灌模型多是基于非恒定渐变流方程建立的,在模拟变流量畦灌水流运动时的精度难以保障。本文综合分析了变流量畦灌过程中田面水流的运动状况,将其按照边界条件的不同划分为恒定流量进水阶段、变流量进水阶段、畦首消退阶段、田面消退第1阶段、田面消退第2阶段等5个阶段,基于非恒定渐变流方程和非恒定急变流方程构建了适用于变流量畦灌系统的渐变流-急变流数值模型,通过2组恒定流量畦灌、4组变流量畦灌的田间试验以及2组文献资料中的畦灌试验数据对模型进行了验证。结果表明,渐变流-急变流畦灌模型模拟值与现场实测结果吻合较好,模拟推进时间决定系数R2均大于0.96、模拟消退时间R2大于0.90。与目前常用的WinSRFR模型相比,渐变流-急变流畦灌数值模型在模拟恒定流量畦灌方面具有相似的精度,且在模拟变流量畦灌方面精度更高。渐变流-急变流畦灌模型可以较精准地模拟变流量畦灌的水流运动状况,可为分析变流量畦灌系统、优化变流量畦灌方案提供支撑。     

A numerical kinematic wave model for border irrigation

Summary A numerical model is developed to solve kinematic wave equations of border irrigation. This model accommodates transient infiltration, which may be defined by any of the well known infiltration models. Test runs, performed using different incremental values of time and space, were found to give results within 5% of one another, thus showing the stability of the numerical model. The conservation of volume of water was satisfied within 1% error at different values of time and space. Three sample data sets from field experiments were used to analyze the numerical model.     

Modeling and error analysis of kinematic-wave equations of furrow irrigation

A moving control volume approach was used to model the advance phase of a furrow irrigation system whereas a fixed control volume was used to model the nearly stationary phase and the runoff rate. The resulting finite-difference equations of the kinematic-wave model were linearized and explicit algebraic expressions were obtained for computation of advance and runoff rate. The solutions for the advance increment and the runoff rate were compared with the nonlinear scheme, the zero-inertia model, and a set of field data. A close agreement was found between the models and the field data. Assuming a constant infiltration rate, a differential equation was derived to estimate the error between the kinematic-wave model and the zero-inertia model in predicting the flow cross-sectional area along the field length. The differential equation and two dimensionless terms were used to define the limits for use of the kinematic-wave model in furrow irrigation.     

Basin irrigation design with longitudinal slope

The aims of this paper are to analyze theoretically the influence of the longitudinal slope of a surface irrigation field on the uniformity of irrigation and to provide practical tools to design, analyze and manage surface irrigation systems with longitudinal slope and blocked end. An example is shown where a 20% savings in water is obtained by giving the field the optimal slope.In 1982, Clemmens and Dedrick published a practical set of dimensionless graphs to level-basin design and analysis (with no slope). This article generalizes those graphs taking account the existence of field slope. So, Clemmens and Dedrick's graphs are a particular case of obtained results.The analysis is based on solving one-dimensional free surface Saint-Venant equations including infiltration, applying the dimensional analysis to reduce the number of variables involved. Saint-Venant equations are solved with the finite differences method, applying the full hydrodynamic model and the zero-inertia model. Two computer programs are used: WinSRFR and POZAL (a specific software that calculates the optimal cutoff time).The result is a set of three-dimensional graphs that show the relationships of field slope, irrigation uniformity and the rest of the involved dimensionless variables, related to infiltration parameters, Manning roughness coefficient, cutoff time, inflow rate and field length and width. The graphs could be useful in practice to determine the optimal slope of a field, the inflow rate or the length and width of a field, achieving substantial savings of water in surface irrigation.     

Prediction of surface irrigation advance using soil intake properties

A simple method for predicting surface irrigation advance trajectories using infiltration parameters and inflow rate as inputs was developed. The difference between the inflow rate and the sum of infiltration rates over the wetted portion of the field equals the flow rate available for advance. An average (characteristic) infiltration rate ahead of the wet portion is computed using a fixed time step. An advance step (for a fixed time step) is calculated from the ratio of the flow rate available for advance and characteristic infiltration rate. Predictions of advance by the proposed method were compared with field observations, with the kinematic wave model, and with analytical solutions of Philip and Farrell (1964). In all cases, the method provided predictions that were in good agreement with field observations, and performed similarly to the kinematic wave model. The method offers a simple and efficient tool for prediction and evaluation of surface irrigation systems under various soil types and variable inflow rates. The method is particularly useful for predictions in fields with spatially and temporally variable intake properties.     

Evaluating infiltration for border irrigation models

The infiltration characteristics of a soil are important to the design, evaluation and management of border irrigation systems. The use and verification of border irrigation models also rely heavily on infiltration. This paper presents a technique for determining infiltration when detailed information is available on the total infiltrated volume during the irrigation which can be obtained from measurements of inflow, outflow, and water depths on the border strip. The method uses a volume balance at progressive times and is an extension of earlier work. Data from this method were used as input to the zone-inertia border irrigation model and good agreement was found between measured and computed values of advance, recession, runoff rates and volumes, and surface water depths.     

Empirical functions for dependent furrow irrigation variables.

A complete set of dependent furrow irrigation variables has been identified, for which empirical functions, of general applicability, have been developed. A one-dimensional sensitivity analysis technique coupled with dimensional analysis was employed to reduce the number of independent irrigation variables to a manageable size. Simulation experiments were carried out to generate the data used in developing the pertinent functional relationships. Regression analysis was used to ascertain the specific form of the equations. The predictive quality of the functions has been assessed by comparing their output with those of a zero-inertia model, and was found to be satisfactory. Received: 22 May 1996     

A one-dimensional complete hydrodynamic model of border irrigation based on a hybrid numerical method

A numerical model of border irrigation flow is a useful tool in the design and evaluation of surface irrigation systems. A one-dimensional complete hydrodynamic numerical model of border irrigation was established by using the time–space hybrid numerical method. Differences in stability, convergence, precision, and efficiency of the one-dimensional model were analyzed and compared between the hybrid numerical method proposed here and the Roe finite-volume method. At the same time, the computational performance and simulation effects were validated based on the results of typical border irrigation tests. The results show that the hybrid numerical method provides better numerical stability and convergence with little water quantity-balance and average relative errors than does the Roe finite-volume method. The computational efficiency is about two times higher under the same measurement circumstances. The proposed model of border irrigation can increase computational stability and convergence, can improve computational precision and efficiency, and can provide a good numerical simulation tool for the design and evaluation of border irrigation systems.     

Empirical functions for dependent variables in cutback furrow irrigation

Water scarcity and the high consumption of water resources in agriculture have strengthened the need to manage and optimize irrigation systems. Among surface irrigation systems, furrow irrigation with cutback is commonly used because of its potentially higher irrigation efficiency, lower costs and relative simplicity. The performance of this system is affected by various management and design variables, and hence different management scenarios should be evaluated before it is applied in practice. For this purpose, empirical functions for the performance evaluation indices are useful. This paper employs sensitivity, dimensional and regression analyses in the development of empirical functions for application efficiency, deep percolation, runoff and distribution uniformity. The proposed functions were evaluated using a numerical zero-inertia model and field measured data. Coefficients of determination for E _a, D _r, R _r and U _cc were calculated to be 0.90, 0.91, 0.90 and 0.84, respectively. These values indicate that the proposed functions enable the performance indices to be predicted satisfactorily. Values for the indices calculated using the developed dimensionless functions showed a very good agreement with both the outputs of the zero-inertia model and values calculated from measured field data. As the functions were general (not site and irrigation specific) and explicit, they could prove to be of practical significance in both conventional and optimal design and management of free-draining, graded furrow irrigation systems with cutback flows.

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基于BP网络的畦灌性能模拟模型及其应用评价

根据山东簸箕李灌区冬小麦灌溉实测资料,初步建立了基于BP网络的畦灌性能模拟模型,并以地面灌溉数值模型SRFR模拟结果作为目标值,对开发的BP模型进行了训练,确定了BP模型运行参数。应用结果表明,SRFR模型和BP模型得到的灌水效率和灌水均匀度变化规律一致,平均相对误差均为2.5%左右,基于BP网络的畦灌性能模拟模型可用于类似条件下畦灌性能指标的预测和评价。     

越冬期地面灌溉技术研究

基于越冬期大田土壤入渗和灌水试验,采用试验研究和模拟分析相结合的方法,分析讨论了冬灌水流运动特点,揭示了表征灌溉效果的各项指标随地中温度的变化特性,提出了提高越冬期灌溉灌水效果的5项技术:短畦灌溉技术、长畦灌溉技术、小流量灌溉技术、秋耕灌溉技术和最冷月免灌技术。研究结果对我国北方缺水地区冬季合理灌溉具有重要指导意义。     

A mathematical model for border irrigation II. Vertical and horizontal recession phases

Summary This paper, second in a series of three, develops a mathematical model, using the volume balance approach, to simulate vertical and horizontal recession of border irrigation. An equation is proposed for computing Manning's roughness factor N in both laminar and transitional flow regimes in recession phases. The model has four parameters which can be determined experimentally. Experimental data from ten vegetated as well as nonvegetated borders were used to verify the model. Average difference (AD) between calculated and observed vertical recession times was less than 4.4 min, and between calculated and observed horizontal recession times less than 4.6 min for the ten experimental data sets. Average relative error (ARE) in computed horizontal recession was less than 13% for these data sets. The model was found to be especially accurate for Reynold's number between 1,800 and 2,500.     

Performance Evaluation of Border Irrigation Models for South-East Australia: Part 2, Overall Suitability for Field Applications

The first paper in this two part paper provided details of six border irrigation models, namely Jobling-Turner, Strelkoff, Walker, Jaynes, Schmitz and Ross, field experiments and the procedure for evaluating the models as well as their performance for predicting advance and recession characteristics. In this paper, depending on their output details, some or all of these models are further examined for infiltration and runoff predictions, computational time and volume balance error. Also, the Strelkoff and Ross models are examined for the discharge-depth equation as an alternative to the Manning equation for describing overland flow in surface irrigation. Considering the overall accuracy of the model predictions, output details and user-friendliness, the Strelkoff model is concluded to be the most satisfactory for the field conditions of south-east Australia.