WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK MODELLING OF UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT THREE CAMPUSES

Abstract

The University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) has three campuses, all within 1km radius and each maintains an independent water distribution network. The study explored the possibility of an integrated water distribution network by computer-aided simulation. The software adopted for the simulation is the popular WASDIM developed based on the Hardy-Cross relaxation method. Seven simulation options were advanced, the first three cases are when the overhead tank (OHT) in each of the campus is allowed to function alone; the next three cases are when we permit a combination of two OHTs functioning simultaneously (while the 3rd OHT is shutdown) are and the last case is when the three OHTs are functioning simultaneously. The computed heads at various nodes (27 in No.) at the end of 200 iterations for each simulation option compared and contrasted with respect to the option producing the best performance (the simulation options (1 thro 7) producing the highest pressure head(s)). On the basis of frequency distribution as per best performance, the following ranking (1 to 7th positions) was obtained: Option 4, Option 1, Option 2, Option 7. Option 5, Option 6 and Option 3, respectively. Results also indicate that the pipe material used for water mains do significantly affect the pressure head distribution in the network. Similarly, pressure responses due to stepwise increase in OHT elevation followed the hydrostatic pressure variation and the maximum pressure head development varies with the type of pipe material used.