Fountains Their Main Types and Hydraulic Calculations

Abstract

This paper investigates fountains and their main types with a focus on hydraulic design principles and calculation methods. Fountains play an important role in urban infrastructure and landscape architecture, providing aesthetic, microclimatic, and recreational benefits. However, stable and energy-efficient operation of fountain systems largely depends on the correct hydraulic calculation of flow rate, pressure head, jet velocity, and hydraulic losses. Improper design may lead to insufficient jet height, excessive energy consumption, or unstable operating conditions. In this study, fountains are classified according to their operating principles into free-flow, pressurized, and combined systems. For each type, the relationship between hydraulic parameters is analyzed using classical fluid mechanics equations. Mathematical models describing jet height, discharge velocity, and head losses in pipelines and nozzles are presented. The influence of pump characteristics and system losses on the achievable fountain height is evaluated through analytical calculations. The obtained results demonstrate that accurate hydraulic calculations allow optimization of pump selection and operating режимes, reduction of energy losses, and improvement of overall system efficiency. The proposed approach can be used in the design and modernization of fountain systems in urban and recreational areas, contributing to reliable operation and sustainable water use.