Chapter 3: Constraints, Trade-offs and Standards

3.1 Design Constraints

The design constraint is a part of the design responsible for identifying or determining what will be the
factors to be considered and hindrances that may occur before operating the project. The design
constraint is important because it sets boundaries and limitations to the system of design. The designers
identified four quantitative constraints and one qualitative constraint.

3.1.1 Quantitative Constraints

3.1.1 .1 Economic (Material Cost)

Developing and constructing an irrigation system depends on the methodology that the designer will be
using. There are a lot of system or methodology used in irrigation but the designer must select the most
economic yet suitable for the project site. The designer must deal with the most economical system on
constructing the irrigation system without having some trouble with the quality of the structure and
complies to the client’s budget.

3.1.1.2 Constructability (Duration)

The topographic report shows that the project site location has some changes in elevation. The
farmlands has greater elevation as compared to the elevation of river thus the designer must find a
convenient way to draw the water that comes from river up to the farmlands that needs irrigation. On
the other side, the geotechnical report shows that the soil type in the project site is characterized as
silty, loamy and clayey thus the designer must also come up with the idea that has a short possible
period of time constructing the irrigation system.

3.1.1.3 Sustainability (Maintenance Cost)

This constraint mainly depends on the trade-offs so it is important to select the best trade-off that has
the least maintenance cost. Selecting the suitable trade-off also makes the project efficient and effective
for the farmers who will benefit the projects outcome.
3.1.1.4 Risk Assessment (Factor of safety)

The designers must identify the risk factors and hazard that may occur in the construction of the
irrigation project. Since the project site is near the river factor of safety is important to avoid casualties
upon the operation of the project. The water quality of the river is good for irrigation thus the designers
must only deal with the safety upon the construction of the irrigation system.

3.1.2 Qualitative Constraints

3.1.2.1 Environmental

The impact of the project to the environment will not be harmful in fact it will be helpful since the
project is irrigation. The climate in the project location doesn’t suddenly change when dry season it will
be sunny the rest of the season but when it is wet season it rains moderately.

3.1.2.2 Social Constraint

The location of the project is 90% farmlands that is owned by the residents, the designers must consider
consulting first to the residents who own hectares of land to allow the project to operate beside their
respective properties of land.

3.2.1 Tradeoffs

There are three most economical cross section shapes of canal (1) Rectangular (2) Trapezoidal and (3)
Triangular. The designers selected the simplest shape of cross section for the project, rectangular
section is the simplest and easy to construct.

3.2.1.1 Reinforced Concrete lined Canal

Reinforced Concrete lined canal is a mixture of sand, cement and gravel reinforced by steel. After
compacting the soil, steel and formworks will be installed in the excavated triangular shaped then
eventually pouring the concrete mixture.

Reinforced Concrete Lining Canal

Advantages Disadvantages
Low maintenance cost High capital investment
Lasts for a long period of time Longer construction period
Seepage loss reduction  
Reduce weed growth  
3.2.1.2 Brick Clay Lining Canal

This type of lining canal is installed with brick clay depending on the size of bricks. It is manually installed
by hands that is why it requires more labor than other type of lined canal. This type of lining canal also
requires large amount of cement for plastering after the brick clay is layed-out.

Brick Clay Lining Canal

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to install Hard to repair
Shorter construction period Requires large amount of cement
Low capital investment Requires more labor
  Low resistance to cracking

3.2.1.3 Earthen Lining Canal (Compacted Clay Soil)

This type of canal lining is the simplest among other types of lining canal, it only requires compacted
earth. The earth or soil must be available in the site so that the cost is lesser. Since, the project is about
irrigation the designers will no longer be having some difficulties on finding earth and the cost of the
project will only deal on the equipment and labor cost.

Earthen Canal Lining (Compacted Clay Soil)

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to construct Low seepage loss reduction
Low capital investment (if soil/earth is available in the project site) High maintenance
Shorter construction period Prone to weed growth
  Prone to soil erosion