How do you convert feet of head to PSI in a water system?

To convert feet of head to PSI (pounds per square inch) in a water system, the conversion factor used is based on the weight of water. Specifically, 1 PSI is equivalent to approximately 2.31 feet of water head. Therefore, to convert feet of head to PSI, the height in feet needs to be multiplied by the conversion factor that accounts for this relationship.

Instead of using 2.31 directly, it is common to use the relationship that multiplying feet of head by the factor of about 0.433 gives you the equivalent pressure in PSI. This factor comes from the inverse of 2.31, as the calculation is based on the understanding that 1 PSI corresponds to about 2.31 feet of water. This demonstrates how changes in height (in feet) affect the pressure exerted by the water column.

So, multiplying the height in feet by 0.433 converts the height of the water head directly into a pressure measurement in PSI, effectively allowing designers and engineers to relate vertical water movements to pressure for various applications in landscape architecture and hydraulic design.