Developing Some Structural Hydraulic Sensitivity Indicators and Utilizing Them in Flow Analysis of Irrigation Channels

The sensitivity analysis approach should be regarded as a new means which has recently been proposed for assessing flow of the irrigation networks. This approach uses the flow steady state equations and the physical conditions of irrigation channels to evaluate the response of the system to input perturbations. In this paper, some structural hydraulic sensitivity indicators were developed and utilized in studying the flow of an irrigation channel. For evaluating the efficiency of indicators and proposed analysis method, a real case was simulated by SOBEK model. Using the simulation results and introduced indicators, the flow regulation and distribution process within channel was studied. The results indicated a successful application of sensitivity indicators in evaluating system's potential in relation to alternative operational scenarios. With the calculation of these indicators, a comprehensive information system could be provided and applied in the analysis of the response potential of channel to structural perturbations, estimation of structure setting accuracy, and in the choice of suitable operation frequency there of.