Pipe Network Analysis

Pipe Network Analysis determine the flow rates and

pressure drops in the individual sections of a hydraulic
network. Hardy Cross Method is the oldest and probably
best known solution method for pipe networks. In this
method, each loop correction is determined
independently of other loops. Epp and Fowler (1970)
developed a more efficient approach by simultaneously
computing corrections for all loops. This article
illustrates use of Simultaneous Loop Flow Adjustment
Algorithm in modelling pipe network analysis in excel
spreadsheet.
Example
A water supply distribution system is shown in the figure
below. All pipes are cast iron with lengths and diameters
as provided in table below. Perform pipe network
analysis and calculate water flow in all branches.

An initial flow estimate is made across all pipe branches

that satisfies continuity at all nodes. Head loss across a
pipe is determined using Darcy Weisbach equation.
HLoss = K Q
K
= 8fL/ g D

Head loss across each loop is made.

F(I) : K1.Q1 + K3.Q3 - K8.Q8 - K4.Q4 K2.Q2 = 0
F(II) : K5.Q5 + K7.Q7 - K6.Q6 - K3.Q3 = 0
F(III): K6.Q6 + K10.Q10 - K9.Q9 + K8.Q8 = 0
Newton Raphson method is used to solve above
equations for change in flow Q (QI, QII, QIII) across
each loop. In vector form all loops can be written as :
JL.Q = - F(Qm-1)
JL
= F / (Q)
where Qm-1 is vector of pipe flow, Q is vector of loop flow
corrections and F(Qm-1) is the vector of residuals of loop
conservation of energy equations evaluated at Q m-1. JL is
first derivatives of the loop equations evaluated at Qm-1.
Once above matrices are formed, it is solved linearly for
Q and pipe flows are updated by the loop corrections
as Qm = Qm-1 +/- Q.
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Coefficient Matrix, JL

Derivative for single pipe is obtained as:

(K1.Q1)/(QI) = 2.K1.Q1 = 2.HL1/Q1
Diagonal terms are obtained by adding derivatives of all
pipes in a loop and always have a positive sign. eg.
FI/(QI) = n( |HL1/Q1| + |HL3/Q3| + |HL8/Q8| + |
HL4/Q4| + |HL2/Q2| )
= 979.03
Off-diagonal terms are gradients for pipes that appear in
different loops and always have a negative sign.

FI/(QII) = -n( |HL3/Q3| ) = FII/(QI)

= -165.60
In above derivative change in Loop I due to flow change
in Loop II will be due to common pipe 3. Above gradient
is also for FII/(QI). The JL matrix is obtained as
following.

F(Qm-1) is evaluated based on head loss across each loop.

FI = HL1 + HL3 - HL8 - HL4 - HL2
= -10.94
F matrix is obtained as
F(Qm-1)T = [-10.94 -6.40 43.62 ]
Below matrix is solved in excel to obtain Q.
JL.Q = - F
JL-1 is determined using Minverse function. Select 33
cells in excel and type MINVERSE(Input Array) and press
CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to evaluate inverse of matrix.

Do multiplication of JL-1 and -F vector using MMULT

function. Select 31 cells in excel and type
MMULT(Inverse Array, F array) and press
CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to evaluate multiplication. Q array
is obtained as following.
Q = [ 0.00066 -0.00261 -0.03133]

As flow changes are larger another iteration is done,

with flows adjusted based on Q values. For example
flow rate in Pipe 3 will become.
Q3 = Q30 + QI - QII
= 0.12 + (0.00066) - (-0.00261)
= 0.123
New flowrates are calculated and above steps are
repeated. To do more iterations copy entire rows and
paste them below the above cells to carry out further
calculation till change in flowrates become negligible.
For this example Q becomes negligible in 5 iterations.
Final flows in m/s are as following.

If a pipes flow direction changes from the assumed

value, the signs for that pipe head loss terms are
switched for all loops containing the pipe during the

next iteration in loop equations. JL matrix signs will

remain same as above.
Example
Perform pipe network analysis and calculate water flow
in all branches.

This problem is solved based on methodology developed

above, refer attached excel spreadsheet for solution. In
this case, 3 loop equations will be made and it takes 4
iterations to converge.
Example
Perform pipe network analysis and calculate water flow
in all branches. Hazen Williams coefficient for each pipe
is provided in table below.

Head loss is calculated using Hazen-Williams equation.

HL = 10.67LQ1.85 / C1.85 D4.87
Based on method discussed above 7 loop equations are
formed and it takes 5 iterations to converge to final flow
values. Refer attached excel spreadsheet for solution.

Spreadsheet for Pipe Network Analysis