This work was carried out aimed at presenting equations to estimate the continuous head loss in microtubes and the local head loss in the connector used on microsprinklers lateral lines. The continuous head loss was determined using Bernoulli's theorem for four microtubes diameters, each one with nine to ten replications for 15 flowrates. The Darcy-Weisbach friction factor was estimated by setting m to 0.25 and by calibrating the parameter value c to 0.290. The local head loss was determined by subtracting the head loss on the connector and microtube from the head loss on the microtube. Two types of connectors were used and characterized by its internal diameters and its dimensions. A mathematical approach to compute the local head loss was proposed based on a kinetic head connector coefficient (K'). This coefficient is a function of connector and microtube dimensions and independent of viscous forces up to Re > 5,000. Flowrate and pressure at emitters located at the far end of the lateral line were sensitive the head losses at the connectors and in the microtube.
local head loss; continuous head loss; equivalent length; kinetic head coefficient
