A sprinkler system operates with sprinklers spaced at $S_m = 12\text{ m}$ along the lateral and laterals spaced at $S_l = 12\text{ m}$ along the main line. Each sprinkler discharges $q = 0.80\text{ L/s}$. The average application rate of the system is ________ $\text{mm/h}$ (round off to two decimal places).
Answer Key:
20.00
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
The average application rate is calculated from the discharge and coverage area:
$I = \frac{q \times 3600}{S_l \times S_m}$
where $q$ is in $\text{L/s}$, $S_l, S_m$ are in $\text{m}$, giving $I$ in $\text{mm/h}$:
$I = \frac{0.80 \times 3600}{12 \times 12} = \frac{2880.0}{144} = 20.00\text{ mm/h}$