I.

Discussion

The Hardy Cross method is an iterative method for determining the flow in pipe network
systems where the inputs and outputs are known, but the flow inside the network is unknown.

The Hardy Cross method is an application of continuity of flow and continuity of potential to
iteratively solve for flows in a pipe network. In the case of pipe flow, conservation of flow
means that the flow in is equal to the flow out at each junction in the pipe. Conservation of
potential means that the total directional head loss along any loop in the system is zero
(assuming that a head loss counted against the flow is actually a head gain).

The procedure of this method requires that the flow in each pipe be assumed so that the
principle of continuity is satisfied at each junction. A correction to the assumed flow is
computed successively for each pipe loop in the network until the correction is reduced to an
acceptable value.

Let Q0 be the correct flow in a path whereas the assumed flow be Q. The error dQ in flow is then
defined as

(36.11)
Let (36.12a)
and (36.12b)

Then according to Eq. (36.10)

in a loop (36.13a)

and in a loop (36.13b)

Where 'e' is defined to be the error in pressure equation for a loop with the assumed values of flow rate in
each path.
From Eqs (36.13a) and (36.13b) we have

or, (36.14)

Where dh (= h - h' ) is the error in pressure equation for a path. Again from Eq. (36.12a), we can write
 or, (36.15)

Substituting the value of dh from Eq. (36.15) in Eq. (36.14) we have

Considering the error dQ to be the same for all hydraulic paths in a loop, we can write

(36.16)

The Eq. (36.16) can be written with the help of Eqs (36.12a) and (36.12b) as

(36.17)

The error in flow rate dQ is determined from Eq. (36.17) and the flow rate in each path of a loop is then
altered according to Eq. (36.11).

The Hardy-Cross method can also be applied to a hydraulic circuit containing a pump or a turbine. The
pressure equation (Eq. (36.10)) is only modified in consideration of a head source (pump) or a head sink
(turbine) as

(36.18)

where is the head delivered by a source in the circuit. Therefore, the value of to be substituted in
Eq. (36.18) will be positive for a pump and negative for a turbine.
II. Procedures

a.) First, you divide network into number of closed loops.

b.) In this program, insert data in the table of properties of your pipes and assume the diameter, length
of the pipe and assume discharge Q and direction for each pipe.
c.) Apply continuity on each node and assume always clockwise as positive.
d.) The program calculates the equivalent resistance K using the Darcy Formula.

0.0826 fL
Darcy, K = D
5

where f = friction factor

D= diameter of the pipe in meter

L = length of the pipe in meter

hf n n1
e.) The program calculates =K Q and K Q for each pipe and after that it computes
automatically the sum in every loop.
f.) After that the program calculates the correction in this loop located at the last column. Using
formula:

K Qn
Correction = n K Q n1

g.) After that it apply correction Q to the new Q in the next Iteration.
h.) The programs repeat the steps until the hf = 0.

III. Problem
 Pipe Diameter (m) Length(m) Q
AB 0.3 6 0.2
BG 0.25 2 0.1
GH 0.3 4 0.1
HA 0.25 3 0.1
BC 0.3 6 0.1
CF 0.25 5 0.05
FG 0.3 4 0.1
CD 0.3 6 0.05
DE 0.25 5 0.1
EF 0.3 4 0.05
DI 0.3 6 0.025
IJ 0.25 5 0.025
JE 0.3 4 0.05
ED 0.25 5 0.025
IK 0.3 6 0.0125
KL 0.25 5 0.0125
LJ 0.3 4 0.025

IV. Data and Results

 V. Conclusions

I therefore conclude that programming hardy cross method is one of the effective way in finding the
discharge in each pipe. By use of this program we can easily determine the discharge in each pipe by input
the properties on the first trial. It is very hard at first because there are lot of formulas to be input in the
formula bar and it burns time. After the 2 nd iteration it is easy to copy and paste it but some programs do not
function so I try it to reprogram the 2 nd trial but it is so very easy. I also encounter some large corrections
until in the last trial. But I fixed it already. This program may be used in some other projects and it is very
useful.