MODELING OF ENGINEERING FACTORS FOR SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN IN THE NEWLY RECLAIMED SOIL

Abstract

The problems encountered in sprinkler systems designing due to lack of technically qualified personnel have created a need for an expert system for the purpose. The selection of the best technical specifications for designing sprinkler irrigation system is one of the fundamental processes that lead to an increase in the efficiency of the irrigation system and therefore increase productivity.

Water considered the gateway to agriculture development. Egypt lies within the arid zone due to decrease the rainfall under 400 mm/year. The modern irrigation methods have more management in irrigation water by using sprinkler systems and localized systems which applied to decrease drainage, improve soil water contents, decrease the level of ground water, and increase production yield.

The objectives of this study: The study aimed to build, verify and validate an expert system model to benefit decision makers in designing solid-set sprinkler irrigation system.

The methodology used can be summarized in the following: 1) A rule-based program named EFSIS-ES (Engineering Factors of Sprinkler Irrigation System -Expert System) was coded and compiled using Microsoft visual basic 2015 language. 2) The EFSIS-ES model contains of inputs screens and outputs screen. Inputs screens are the interface screen, inputs screen, location screen, climate screen, pump screen, crop screen, soil screen and technical data screen. The outputs of the Expert system were number of sprinklers on a lateral, number of laterals in the irrigation system, length of each lateral, main