Automated Drainage Pipe Network Design with Manning's Equation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual calculation of drainage pipe size, slope, and covering in drainage pipe networks is labor-intensive and often results in suboptimal solutions, with multiple possible designs that are difficult to evaluate for compliance with hydraulic calculations and cost considerations.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that calculates pipe size and slope based on both velocity and surface slope, using Manning's equation to determine optimal pipe dimensions and slope, and compares solutions to select the one with the least pipe covering, thereby minimizing network cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If pipe slope is increased to reduce pipe size, then pipe size is decreased, but pipe covering is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of pipe slope and velocity to find optimal solutions. By adjusting the pipe slope parameter and calculating corresponding pipe sizes using Manning's equation, the system evaluates multiple parameter combinations to minimize pipe covering while meeting velocity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically evaluates multiple pipe slope options and their corresponding pipe sizes. Rather than using a fixed slope assumption, the system iterates through different slope values, calculates the required pipe size for each, and selects the combination that minimizes pipe covering while satisfying all constraints.
2Ease of operation
If manual calculation is used to determine pipe design, then design flexibility is maintained, but calculation time and labor are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical calculation with automated computer-based computation. The software automatically performs iterative calculations using Manning's equation, evaluates multiple solutions, and selects the optimal design, eliminating the time-consuming manual process while preserving design flexibility through programmable constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-evaluation of multiple pipe design solutions by automatically calculating pipe sizes, velocities, and coverings for different slope assumptions. The software independently compares solutions and selects the optimal one without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing calculation time while maintaining design quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipe solutions are generated with different slopes, then solution options increase, but difficulty in determining optimal solution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to automatically evaluate multiple pipe solutions. Each solution is assessed against velocity requirements, pipe covering constraints, and other design criteria. The system provides feedback on which solutions meet all constraints and selects the optimal one based on minimum pipe covering, eliminating the complexity of manual solution evaluation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides an efficient and cost-effective design for drainage pipe networks by automating the calculation of pipe size and slope, ensuring compliance with velocity requirements and minimizing pipe covering, thus optimizing the drainage pipe network design.
Implementation Method 1
the pipe size is calculated by manning's equation/formula with a known design flow and manning's number
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to design a drainage pipe solution. A profile of a surface segment (that includes a surface slope) is acquired. A first pipe size and a first pipe slope or calculated based on a proper velocity. A second pipe size and a second pipe slope are calculated based on the surface slope. A first pipe covering and a second pipe covering for the first pipe size and the second pipe size, for the surface segment is computed. A lower of the first pipe covering and the second pipe covering is selected as the drainage pipe solution.