Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Analysis of Methods for Estimating Water Demand in Buildings

Omaghomi, Toritseju O

Abstract Details

2014, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Environmental Engineering.
The estimation of water demand in a building is a useful tool for planning, design and construction purposes. Estimates of peak water demand expected from a building is the main determining factor of pipe size for water distribution within the building. The three key parameters that affect water demand in buildings are the number of fixtures to be supplied water, the probability that each fixture is busy and the flow rate of each group of fixtures within a building. The current methods of estimating water demand as prescribed by the UPC and IPC involves graphical interpretations of fixtures units from the works of Roy Hunter (1940). Hunter’s method, although thorough and classic, involves cumbersome calculations and is not flexible to the current changes in water use patterns and high efficiency fixtures. This study focuses on water use in residential buildings and it can be extended to other end uses provided the key parameters are known. A water demand algorithm was developed using MATLAB software. The algorithm utilizes the binomial distribution in a Monte Carlo method to randomly simulate water use events in a building. The result of these simulations is used to generate a cumulative distribution function (CDF) of demand flows, from which the design water demand (99th percentile) is extracted. A comparison of these simulated peak water demand methods show that Hunter’s curve overestimates water demand. Wistort’s application of the Central Limit Theorem is a reliable method while a modified version of Wistort’s method includes the variation in flow due to end users choice or pressure drop. Results from the water demand algorithm from a wide range of building end users was normalized into generic dimensionless demand curves that can be applied to any building type with random water use for known values of n, p and q.
Steven Buchberger, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Thomas Poerio, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Dominic Boccelli, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
92 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Omaghomi, T. O. (2014). Analysis of Methods for Estimating Water Demand in Buildings [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406881340

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Omaghomi, Toritseju. Analysis of Methods for Estimating Water Demand in Buildings. 2014. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406881340.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Omaghomi, Toritseju. "Analysis of Methods for Estimating Water Demand in Buildings." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406881340

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)