Model Maker Irrigation Notes (last updated 09/11/98)

The Model Maker team has made tremendous progress with the irrigation module since development started in April 1998. Up to the end of September, 12 programs (Irrigation module) were sold and a lot of practical feedback were received. All users are encouraged to fax or email us their requirements and comments about the irrigation design functions.

At this stage, the program is able to handle 50 irrigation blocks each with a maximum of 1000 nodes. Each block can either be designed for regular sprinklers, (each node represents an emitter) or for micro/drip applications.

For a micro/drip system, a single emitter type is defined for each block. The lateral pipes then holds the CES (Constant emitter spacing) value and for hydraulic purposes simulates nodes of the defined type all along the pipe length.

Actual nodes, of the 1000 available per block, will then only be used at the lateral terminals, pipe connections and if necessary at elevation changes.

Notes on development during October 1998.

1. Implement main line loop calculations with multiple loops.

Notes on development during September 1998.

1 : Corrected the error that caused data to be lost when defining new sprinkler nodes.

2 : Added functions on the pipe page.

Trim Lats - Used to extend the terminals of the laterals to the intersection of the lateral and the manifold pipe.

Follow Cad - Used to place a lateral line with nodes at regular intervals all along a defined cad polyline. eg. a contour.

Options to display only pipes of a certain type, only in the active block and also the pipe lengths.

3 : Added functions on the node page.

Option to display only nodes of the active block.

Option to show nodes by means of a circle, shape or pattern.

Option to display only nodes of a certain type.

4 : On the blocks page.

Option to define the block format. i.e. sprinkler or micro/drip

5 : Globals page

Function to extract a long-section along any pipe route and convert it to the CAD module.

Option to display the flow path. Used to visually inspect the design for pipes/nodes not connected to the source node.

6 : Shifts

Improved functions to set up the shifts

7 : Hydraulic calculations

Improved method of calculations. Including a warning box if the system cannot converge or if some pipes develop a very high friction loss.

Improved method for sizing pipes.

Improved option to report the pressures at all the vales in the main line for all the different shifts.

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We are currently working on the following functions.

1) Multiple water supply nodes.

2) Improved functions to report high and low pressures within the CES pipes of a micro/drip block. At present reports are only produced for actual nodes.

3) Improved list of materials with costs and fittings.