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Overall, the main objective of this project is to produce a program that can calculate exact
volumetric flow rates through individual pipes that are connected to form a network.
The program will be Internet based so that it is easily accessible, and will therefore
be embedded into a web page. I will write the program using the programming language of
Java, specifically aiming to create a Java applet that can be incorporated into HTML file.
There are many design features that I aim to incorporate into my Java applet to make it both functionally accurate and as straightforward as possible. I will aim to use the Hardy Cross method of successive approximations to make calculations on the pipe network. The Hazen-Williams formula will then be used to find head losses through individual pipes. The final objective will be to calculate accurate flow rates for each pipe. My program will aim to satisfy all of the following aspects. Perhaps the most important property of my Java applet will be its actual correctness and accuracy of results. A program that fails to produce correct information would not be of much use to anyone. To achieve overall accuracy many aspects must be addressed. Starting from data entry, the initial data must be entered and stored with precision. For this reason I will have to endeavor to use the correct numeric types available so that no loss of accuracy occurs. Any mathematical calculations will need to be correct with careful attention given to the problems associated with programming code for formula and expressions, such as rounding errors. Final flow rates will have to be iterated until a result lies within an appropriate accuracy. The next consideration will involve the design of an easy to use interface between user and program. A program that is highly accurate would not be of use if it was so complicated and difficult a user could not understand its operation. I will aim to layout the Java applet in such a way so that everything is clear and easily recognisable. I will also aim to implement instructional text within the Java applet to help the user progress through the program. An uncomplicated design will reduce mistakes and errors made, and will then help to increase the likelihood of a successful result. In addition to being simple to use, I also need the program to be informative. Details of data inputted, data required and progress of the calculation will be included so that at all stages of the program the user can clearly relate to what is required. Another extremely crucial element of the program will be in its reliability. Accuracy and ease of use will help to form a reliable Java applet but the core programming is mainly responsible for making the whole program run correctly. The Java applet itself must not stop responding or crash and it must not cause similar effects to occur to the system that is executing it. Careful code writing, structuring and development will form a reliable program. Finally issues of compatibility and efficiency must be met. To be made available to anyone who wishes to use the Java applet, the program must run without error on a variety of differing systems. There would be few reasons to just design a program that would only operate successfully on one single system. The program must also be efficient in its operation, excessive data storage and bad programming practice would result in a slow and memory intensive program. The program must also require little or no maintenance. |