3 Series, parallel

and branched pipe

systems

6 Series, Parallel & Branched

Pipe System

To determine the heads and discharges is

more complex than in simple pipe
problems, and requires the use of the
continuity equation in addition to the
energy and frictional head loss equations.

A. Pipes in Series

Figure 8 Pipes in Series

H hf1 hf 2
Q Q1 Q2

(32)

Example
Reservoir A delivers to reservoir B through two uniform pipelines AJ:JB
of diameters 300 mm and 200 mm respectively. Just upstream of the
change in section, which is assumed gradual, a controlled discharge of
30 l/s is taken off.
Length of AJ = 3000 m; length of JB = 4000 m; effective roughness size
of both pipes = 0.015 mm; gross head = 25.0 m. Determine the
discharge to B, neglecting the loss at J. (Taken = 1.13 x 10-6m2/s)

B. Pipes in Parallel

Figure 9 Pipes in Parallel

H hf1 hf 2
Q Q1 Q2

(33)

Example
A 200 mm diameter pipeline, 5000 m long and of effective roughness
0.03 mm delivers water between reservoirs the minimum difference in
water level between which is 40 m.
Taking only friction, entry and velocity head losses into account,
determine the steady discharge between the reservoirs.
If the discharge is to be increased to 50 l/s without increase in gross
head, determine the length of 200 mm diameter pipeline of effective
roughness 0.015 m to be fitted in parallel. Consider only friction losses.

Branched Pipes

Figure 10 Branched pipes

h f z1 H j
h f 2 z2 H j
h f 3 H j z3
Q3 Q1 Q2

(34)

A method of solution is as follows:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Guess Hj
Calculate Q1, Q2, and Q3
If Q1 + Q2 = Q3, then the solution is correct
If Q1 + Q2 Q3, then return to (1)

Example
Determine the discharges in the pipes of the network shown below
neglecting minor losses.
Pipe

Length (m)

Diameter (mm)

AJ

10000

450

BJ

2000

350

CJ

3000

300

DJ

3000

250