Interactive computer-aided design software for level basin irrigation systems

An interactive computer model was developed to obtain an optimal design of level basin irrigation system considering performance parameters, dimensionless reference values, appropriate constraints and design variables. The model was developed by using MATLAB environment and consisted of one main program and two subroutine programs: flimlen and fadvance. The model has the capability to design level basin irrigation systems with three different approaches: limiting length, completion-of-advance, partial completion advance (R = 0.9 and R = 0.8). To demonstrate and compare the feasibility of the computer model, several example problems were simulated separately with three design approaches. Also these sample problems were solved using hand calculations and BASIN program. The outputs from the model were compared with the outputs from hand calculations and BASIN model. The results of the comparison indicate that there is no significant difference between the results of the computer model and the results of hand calculations and BASIN model. The developed interactive computer model offers an alternative to other computer models because it designs a feasible optimal level basin system without consuming excessive time and provides maximum benefits as a result of the optimal design.