1. What is the Hydraulic Gradient?

The hydraulic gradient represents the head loss per unit length in pipes and porous media. It's a dimensionless parameter that indicates the rate of energy loss along the flow path and drives groundwater flow and pipe flow systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the hydraulic gradient formula:

Where:

• \( i \) — Hydraulic gradient (unitless)
• \( h_1 \) — Head at point 1 (m)
• \( h_2 \) — Head at point 2 (m)
• \( L \) — Length between points (m)

Explanation: The hydraulic gradient measures the change in hydraulic head per unit distance along the flow path, representing the driving force for fluid movement.

3. Importance of Hydraulic Gradient Calculation

Details: Accurate hydraulic gradient calculation is crucial for designing water supply systems, analyzing groundwater flow, predicting contaminant transport, and designing drainage systems in civil and environmental engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter head values in meters at two different points and the distance between them. All values must be positive, and length must be greater than zero for valid calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical range for hydraulic gradient?
A: In groundwater systems, gradients typically range from 0.001 to 0.01, while in pipe systems they can vary widely depending on flow conditions and pipe characteristics.

Q2: How does hydraulic gradient relate to flow velocity?
A: According to Darcy's Law, flow velocity is directly proportional to hydraulic gradient, with hydraulic conductivity as the proportionality constant.

Q3: What factors affect hydraulic gradient?
A: Pumping rates, recharge conditions, geological formations, pipe material and diameter, and fluid properties all influence hydraulic gradient.

Q4: Can hydraulic gradient be negative?
A: Yes, negative gradient indicates flow in the opposite direction, which can occur in complex groundwater systems or reversed flow conditions.

Q5: How is hydraulic gradient used in practice?
A: It's used to design well fields, predict contaminant plume movement, design sewer systems, and analyze seepage through dams and levees.