Cablegation: IV. The Bypass Method and Cutoff Outlets to Improve Water Distribution

Abstract

ABSTRACT TWO techniques of improving the water distribution characteristics of cablegation systems are proposed and evaluated. The bypass method, which largely eliminates the problem of end effects, involves starting the plug at the first outlet and initially bypassing most of the flow to the downstream end of the pipeline, which is plugged. As the plug moves down the pipe, the bypass flow gradually decreases to zero. This method nearly equalizes the inflow distribution to all furrows and allows the use of a constant outlet opening size. The bypass can be accomplished by using a parallel bypass pipe and weir, or with a flow-through bypass plug. The bypass plug appears to be the lower cost method and is as effective as the weir in controlling the bypass. The second technique deals with the low outlet flows during the fmal stages of a set which are insufficient to reach the end of the furrows such that excess water is applied to the upper ends of the furrows. Two types of cutoff outlets, a gravity valve and a siphon type outlet were designed to abruptly cut off the flow at about the same time that runoff ceases, thus maximizing the uniformity of infiltration. The cutoff outlets are recommended for soils having relatively high sustained intake rates.