Drainage Calculator by Pipe Size

Plan drainage using pipe size, slope, and materials. Review capacity, velocity, and partial flow performance. Save tables, exports, and graphs for accurate field decisions.

Calculator

Leave as 0 to use the selected standard size.

Example Data Table

This table shows sample capacities using the current slope, roughness, and depth settings.

Pipe Size (mm) Capacity at Selected Depth (L/s) Full-Flow Capacity (L/s) Velocity at Selected Depth (m/s)
100.00 7.293 7.461 1.083
150.00 21.502 21.998 1.419
200.00 46.308 47.376 1.719
250.00 83.962 85.898 1.994
300.00 136.531 139.679 2.252
375.00 247.548 253.255 2.613

Formula Used

This calculator uses Manning’s equation for gravity flow in circular pipes.

Flow rate: Q = (1 / n) × A × R^(2/3) × S^(1/2)

Velocity: V = Q / A

Hydraulic radius: R = A / P

Full pipe area: A = πD² / 4

Full pipe hydraulic radius: R = D / 4

For partial flow, the calculator uses exact circular segment geometry. It first calculates wetted area and wetted perimeter from the selected flow depth. Then it applies Manning’s equation using that hydraulic radius. This helps estimate how slope, roughness, diameter, and fill depth affect drainage performance.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select metric or imperial units.
  2. Choose a standard pipe size or enter a custom diameter.
  3. Select the pipe material, then confirm the Manning roughness value.
  4. Enter the pipe slope, flow depth, run length, and number of parallel pipes.
  5. Optionally add a design flow to compare demand against pipe capacity.
  6. Press the calculate button to view results above the form.
  7. Use the CSV and PDF buttons to export the calculation.
  8. Review the graph and example table for quick comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What does this calculator estimate?

It estimates drainage capacity, velocity, stored volume, and recommended pipe size using diameter, slope, roughness, fill depth, and pipe count.

2) Which formula does the calculator use?

It uses Manning’s equation with circular pipe geometry. Partial flow conditions are handled with wetted area and wetted perimeter calculations.

3) Why is slope important?

Slope drives gravity flow. A steeper slope usually increases velocity and capacity, while a flatter slope reduces drainage performance.

4) What is Manning roughness n?

Manning n represents internal resistance. Smoother materials usually have lower values, which increases estimated flow capacity.

5) Can I evaluate partially full pipes?

Yes. Enter the flow depth as a percent full. The calculator then uses partial-flow geometry instead of assuming the pipe runs full.

6) What does recommended size mean?

If you enter a design flow, the calculator checks common standard sizes and returns the first size that can handle that flow.

7) Why does the result show stored volume?

Stored volume helps estimate how much water sits inside the pipe run at the selected flow depth and length.

8) Can I export the results?

Yes. Use the CSV button for spreadsheet work and the PDF button for a printable project record.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.