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Water Hammer In Piped Water Distribution System: Investigation In Practical

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 Proc.  of  Int.  Conf.  on    
  Computing,  Communication  &  Manufacturing  2014
 
 
 

Water Hammer In Piped Water Distribution

System: Investigation In Practical System And
Protection Scheme
J. K. Roy1, Pijush Basak2
1
MCKV Institute of Engineering, Howrah, India
Email: jkroy.cal51@gmail.com
2
Narula Institute of technology, Kolkata, India

Abstract-In a piped water distribution system, one of the hazards in water mains is frequent damage including
rupture of the pipe line. The major cause of water hammer is rapid generation of surge pressure mainly due to
sudden closure of valve. The occurrence of water hammer is however depends in various flow conditions and
characteristics. In a steady state, the pipe flow may be laminar or turbulent. The factors such as pressure, viscosity,
frictional stress plays a vital role for occurrence of water hammer. On the other hand, the pipe characteristics
namely, material, thickness, length and diameters are all important in this connection. The gradual or rapid closure
of valve is also considerable in water hammer study .A one-dimensional propagation of water surge in a pipe
material has been studied theoretically with a simple conservation of energy model. The numerical solution for
different times of valve closing, pipe materials, lengths, diameter has been worked out. It has been observed that the
surge pressure depends intensely with time, pipe material and diameter; however, not much dependent on length. In
the present study, the water hammer surge for an elastic pipe is worked out. Under similar conditions, a difference
in surge pressure transmission is observed than a rigid pipe. The paper also discusses the surge pressure leading to
rapid opening of valve leading to water hammer surge for valve closure. The paper proposes a protection scheme to
curb the water hammer in a piped distribution system for uninterrupted supply of water. The scheme is based on by-
passing some water through a valve system (secondary) and back to the water storage (tank) with automation by
measuring the surge pressure at the end of the water mains. In the paper, it is found that for a pipe length of 2 Km,
a surge pressure of 2-8 x109 for different pipe materials. Also, for the diameter exceeding 0.5m, the sensible surge
pressure retains almost same value in the respective pipe materials, for example it is 2.1x106N for PVC pipe. It is
also observed that behavior of water mains pipe diameter and branch pipe diameter behaves in opposite way in case
of surge pressure. Moreover, it is found that for particular pipe material, the Hoop stress varies linearly with
diameter. As observed, the slope of PVC pipe is least. It is followed by concreter, cast iron and steel.

Index terms : Water hammer, Serge pressure, Elastic pipe, Renold number, Piped water supply

I. INTRODUCTION
A proper water distribution system is very much essential for daily life, namely, for drinking, washing, cleaning
along with sanitation. The ground and catchment centers are very common source of water. The fresh water is
supplied through mostly underground pipe-lined water supply water in system to mass populated area.
 

  189  
The water supply system is subjected to water hammer whenever there is a change in a steady state condition. The
change is often due to pump stoppage, pump startup or closure of the value in the water distribution system. In the
transient state, there is a change in flow and pressure as the system settles to the final steady condition. A huge
pressure namely the water hammer pressure is subjected due to sudden closure of valve in the water distribution
system [1]. The magnitude of the transient (or water hammer) and the time duration of the transient condition
depends on the velocity, flow rate, pipe line material including elasticity and system boundary conditions such as
tanks, pumps, air and control valves and change in pipe line diameter [2].
 

It is generally difficult in carrying out a comprehensive analysis that involves a system components and their
interaction. It is that for designers to simply add a nominal pressure increase to allow for ‘water hammer’ [3]. The
approach can be too conservative and unnecessarily costly and in some cases, there have been system failure due to
inadequate water hammer protection being provided.

Motivated by the fact that a proper evaluation of magnitude ‘surge pressure’ due to ‘water hammer’ in a water
distributed system, in this paper, an attempt has been made to quantify the ‘surge pressure’ in piped system
including shearing force on the piped wall and the hoop stress in the circumference of the pipe.

Understanding the water hammer due to valve closu

Fig. 1: Water hammer occurrence in a piping system

In a piped system of water-mains along a pipe AB, water flows with certain velocity and pressure connected to a
pump at A is suddenly brought to rest by closing of a valve at B or by similar cause. There will be sudden rise in
pressure due to the momentum of the water due to the momentum of the water being destroyed. A wave of high
pressure is transmitted along the pipe with a velocity equal to the sound wave that set up knocking as noises [4].
The pressure at B oscillates as the pressure surge wave back and forth between B and A, the oscillation being
damped by friction in pipe. The magnitude of the pressure depends on the following aspects [1].

[a] Length of the pipe

[b] Mean pipe flow velocity.

  190  
 [c] Elastic properties of pipe material and that of water.

[d] Time taken to close the valve.

The basic understanding of water hammer equations:

In the system of water mains, water flows with certain velocity steadily in main and branch pipe. A sudden closure
of a value under transient water hammer condition, the developed huge pressure is expressed by Joukowsky’s law
[3] is

!"∆!
∆𝑝 = ± ------- (1)
!

wherein, 𝑝  (𝑚𝑎𝑥) = pressure change in Kg/m3

c = celerity or speed of surge wave through water in the pipe line in m/s

∆𝑣= change in average velocity in m/s

ρ= density of water in Kg/ m3

g = acceleration due to gravity in m/s.

For cylindrical rigid pipe,

!
𝑐= , k = bulk modulus of water.
!

For cylindrical elastic pipe,

!! !"
𝑐= , where k1 = 1 + ( )k ------------ (2)
! !"

D, e and Eare being diameter of the pipe, thickness of wall, modulus of elasticity of the material of the pipe.

The equation (1) under transient condition provides enormous surge pressure (water hammer pressure) developed
due to closure of valve. As an example, sudden closing of valve with a pipe velocity of 2 m/s likely to generate a
pressure change of 200 m head in a steel pipe.

The magnitude of water hammer pressure in the transient condition depends mainly on the celerity of the pipe
material. A few assumptions in the development for the water hammer counts on following conditions:

1. The flow of the pipeline is considered to be one-dimensional and the velocity is averaged with pressure is
uniform at the section.
2. The pipe is full and remains full during the transient.
3. The pressure is greater than the liquid vapor pressure and there is no column separation during the transient
event.
4. Water and pipe wall behave linearly elastically.
5. Unsteady friction losses are approximated as quasi-steady state losses.

  191  
 6. The wave speed can be regarded as a constant and free gas content of water is neglected.
7. Structure-induced pressure changes are small compared to the water hammer pressure wave in the water.
8. Unsteady friction, cavitations and fluid structure interaction consideration are small, these parameters
effects significant change in wave shape and propagation time of water hammer.

Nature of flow in water hammer mains

In a standard piping system, the pressure yield from the pump = P = 1000 Kg/m3;

Average velocity of pipe = Vavg=2-5 m/s; diameter of pipe =0.1-0.5 m, the dynamic viscosity = µ = 1x10-3 Kg/m-s;

The Reynolds Number R is given by

!!!"# !
𝑅= ---------- (3)
!

and calculated as 50-100x103 which is much greater than 4000, the minimum Reynolds number specific for
occurrence of turbulence flow [5]. It can be mentioned that the nature of flow when water hammer occurs are in
general turbulent.

II. Water hammer in the water mains in an elastic pipe: An analytical Study

FiFig.2: Analysis of the effect of water hammer in water distribution system

We consider a straight pipe AB with diameter D and thickness t. In the water mains, pump is connected at end A and
the pipe supplies water to a reservoir 1 through a valve B.

In analysis, the water hammer mains (Fig), we consider a straight pipe of diameter D connected to pump at A. The
water mains pipe supplies water to reservoir through a valve at B.

  192  
At the steady state condition with the pressure monitor placed at A, the velocity and pressure at A are V and P
respectively. After travelling a distance L in time t, the water mass reaches at B before water hammer occurs that is
closing the valve.

As the valve at B is closed, the pressure wave generated at B travels to and fro with the speed of sound. The sensible
pressure thus generated due to water hammer [Ref IEEE paper]

!"!"(!!∆!)
𝑃 ! = ∆𝑣𝜌𝑐 − -------- (4)
!!

Where,∆𝑣 = change in average velocity

r = density of water;

c = celerity or speed of the surge wave through liquid in pipe

!
c= , k stands for bulk modulus of water
!

m = dynamic viscosity of water

The average velocity V at A is obtained as [Jain 2006]

!!!
𝑉= , where Q1= flow rate at A and D=diameter of main pipe AB.
!!!

In a similar fashion, the average velocity at the branch pipe at B is

!!!
𝑣= , where Q2 = flow rate at branch and d=diameter of branch pipe.
!! !

End A is connected to a pump and a pressure monitor, the pressure and velocity are P and V. After the water mass
travels distance L in time t and reaches B, the valve is closed. The water hammer thus generated subjected to surge
pressure and the surge pressure generated as [3]

!"
𝑃 = ∆𝑣𝜌𝑐 1 − ------ (6)
!"!!"

Where, Δv = average change in velocity in m/s.

𝜌 = density of water in Kg/m3
c = celerity in m/s
D = diameter of pipe in m
t = thickness of pipe in m
E = Young’s modulus of the material of the pipe.

The revised pressure at B is subjected to transmission in both upstream and downstream. The downstream pressure
after some dissipation would be sensed at A, as an application Pascal’s law. The measurement of the sensed surge
pressure at A would be 𝑃 ′ defined as

!" (!!∆!)
𝑃 ′ = ∆𝑣𝜌𝑐 1 − − 32𝜇𝐿 ------- (7)
!"!!" (!!!)!

∆𝑣=𝑣.Cv= (4Q2/pd2). Cv …………….. (8)

  193  
Where Cv= Valve constant, m=Dynamic viscosity of water in Kg/m.s. Other notations are defined earlier, assuming
hoop stress f1 is twice the longitudinal stress f2 [6] and Poisson's ratio as 1/4 [6]. The last term in equation (7) is
represented as due to fractional loss in pipe sensible at A. A computer being set at A, 𝑃 ′ is sensed at A instead of P,
we are aware of the occurrence of the water hammer at B (at a distance L from A).

Equation (7) provides the value of measurable surge pressure (Kg/m2) with respect to L with respect to L with fixed
diameter pipe and material or value of L for total surge dissipation can be calculated with different pipe diameter for
particular pipe material.

In order to realize the magnitude of sensible pressure (eqn. (5)) with different pipe materials following physical
parameters are utilized for computation.

6  
x 10   Sensible Surge Pressure vs. Length of pipe  
8  

7  

Sensible 6  
Surge
Pressure
5  
(N)  

4  

3  

2  

1  
0   2000   4000   6000   8000   10000   12000  
Length of Pipe in meter  

Fig. 3: Length of pipe vs. Sensible shearing stress: Concrete ‘-‘; Cast Iron ‘—‘; Steel ‘*’; PVC ‘+’

Where,

Surge Pressure=PS; (kg/m2) Surge Pressure=PS; (kg/m2)

Valve Constant, Cv=0.85; Valve Constant, Cv=0.85;
Reynolds No, Re=2300; Reynolds No, Re=2300;
Gravity, g=9.81(m/s2); Gravity, g=9.81(m/s2);
Density, ρ=103; (kg/m3) Density, ρ=103; (kg/m3)
Dynamic Viscosity, µ=1.004*10-3; (kg/ms) Dynamic Viscosity, µ=1.004*10-3; (kg/ms)
Internal diameters: Internal diameters:
Celerity c: steel=1100, Cast Iron=850, Concrete=700, Diameter of pipe mains, D=0.5 (m)
PVC=300 Diameter of branch pipe, d=  (1/3)  D  
Thickness of pipe, t=0.02m Average velocity at sensor position A, V=2.8395; (m/s)
Initial pressure at A, P=10*1002; (kg/m2) Velocity of water through branch line∆𝑣=𝑣*Cv;

  194  
The computed values of effective length of pipe L are plotted against Sensible surge pressure and shown in Fig. 3. It
is observed from the figure that an electronic transmitter is installed at header end A then the transmitter can detect
the surge of 2.1x109 N for PVC pipe, 7.8109 N for cast iron pipe, 7.5x109 N for steel pipe and 5.0x109 N for
concrete pipe.

In order to realize the dependence of sensible surge pressure on the diameter of water mains for the different pipe
materials for a fixed pipe length of 2000m and thickness 0.02m, the computations are figured out in Fig. 4. It is
notified from the figure that towards the small pipe diameter, there is little effect on sensible surge pressure;
however, for pipe diameter exceeding about 0.25m, PVC pipe contribute least surge pressure. It is followed by
concrete, cast iron and steel pipes respectively. Also, for the diameter exceeding 0.5m, the sensible surge pressure
retains almost same value in the respective pipe materials, for example it is 2.1x106N for PVC pipe.

6 Sensible Surge Pressure vs. Diameter

x 10
8

6
Sensible Surge Pressure (N)

-2

-4
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Diameter in metre

Fig. 4: Diameter of pipe vs. Sensible Surge Pressure: Concrete ‘-‘; Cast Iron ‘- -‘; Steel ‘*’; PVC ‘+’

It is also meaningful to realize the In order to realize dependence of sensible surge pressure on the diameter of
branch pipe (d) for the different pipe materials for a fixed pipe length of 2000m and thickness 0.02m. The
calculations arepresented in Fig. 5. It is observed from the figure as the diameter of branch pipe, there is drastic
reduction in exponential manner in the sensible surge pressure; however, though the sensible surge pressure are
different for individual pipe materials for small diameter, the pressure reduces to almost equal for all the pipe
materials for diameter exceeding 1.5m.

  195  
 Sensible
6 Surge Pressure vs. Diameter of branch pipe
x 10
14

12
Sensible Surge Pressure (N)

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Diameter of branch pipe (d) in metre

Fig. 5: Diameter of branch pipe (d) vs. Sensible Surge Pressure: Concrete ‘-‘; Cast Iron ‘- -‘; Steel ‘*’; PVC ‘+’

SHEARING STRESS AT THE PIPE WALL

The Shearing stress at the wallof the water mains considering elastic pipe [5]

!
!.!"#"!!!"#
𝜏!"## = ! !!"# !!
------- (8)
!

To study the exposure of shearing stress in the pipe wall in water mains, the same values of all the parameters used
in the last section are taken but with different values of pipe sizes are studied. The value shearing stress with
different values of pipe diameters ranging from 0.2-1.8 meters are with specified thickness of 0.02 m diameters are
computed in Fig.6.

  196  
 4 Shearing Sress (wall) vs Diameter
x 10
14
data1
data2
12
data3
data4
Shearing stress (wall) (N/m2)

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Diameter in metre
Fig. 6: Diameter of pipe vs. Sensible shearing stress: Concrete ‘-‘; Cast Iron ‘- -‘; Steel ‘*’; PVC ‘+’

It is observed from the Fig. 6 that at a specified diameter, shearing stress at the pipe wall for PVC pipe is least; it is
followed by concrete, cast iron and steel respectively.

Bursting Force or Cracking force of pipe

The stress to resist the bursting effect of applied water hammer pressure, it most convenientto treat by considering
half of the cylinder as free body.

The total force on the half-cylinder owing to internal pressure Pis

𝑃 ′ * Projected area = P * D * L ,

Where, D = diameter of water mains and L = Circumferential length.

Total resisting force owing to Hoop stress σHset up in the cylindrical wall is restoring force

𝑃′𝐷𝐿 = 2𝜎! 𝐿𝑡 ------- (9)

This implies Hoop Stress

!′!"
𝜎! = ------ (10)
!

Where𝑃′ is utilized from equation (7).

  197  
Generally, it is of interest to quantify the effect of thickness of water mains pipe that can withstand the bursting
effect of the pipe. For this purpose, the hoop stress is computed for thickness of pipe ranging from 0.005-0.025m for
various particular pipe materials with length 2000m; the values of the other parameters are utilized as in section 5.
The result is presented in Fig. 7. It is observed that for all types of pipe material, Hoop stress increases linearly with
thickness. However, for different pipe materials, the slope differs. The minimum slope points for PVC pipe; it is
followed by concrete, cast iron and steel.

4 Hoop Stress stress vs. Thickness

x 10
5

4.5

3.5
Hoop stress (N)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025
Thickness in metre

Fig. 7: Hoop stress (𝜎!) vs. thickness of pipe (t): Concrete ‘-‘; Cast Iron ‘- -‘; Steel ‘*’; PVC ‘+’

To study the behavior of Hoop stress on the diameter of the water mains, a study is undertaken for computing Hoop
stress for a diameter ranging from 0.0025-0.025m of the water mains pipe. The values of the other parameters are
mentioned as in the last case. The presentation is in Fig. 8.The same characteristic like thickness is observed. For
particular pipe material, the Hoop stress varies linearly with diameter. As observed, the slope of PVC pipe is least. It
is followed by concreter, cast iron and steel.

  198  
 Hoop Stress vs. Diameter  

4  
x 10  
5  

4.5  

4  

Hoop 3.5  
stress
(N)   3  

2.5  

2  

1.5  

1  

0.5  

0  
0   0.005   0.01   0.015   0.02   0.025  
Diameter in meter  

Fig. 8: Hoop stress (𝜎!) vs. diameter of pipe (D): Concrete ‘-‘; Cast Iron ‘- -‘; Steel ‘*’; PVC ‘+’.

III. Conclusion and Discussion:

The damages in the water distribution system are observed many a times in the water distribution system. The
damages are always not solely due to water hammer occurrence is the system. It is sometimes due to weak joint
fitting or week defective pipes. Those may be detected and eliminated. But it is observed there was repetitive failure
in the in the mains in mid-days or in particular time when a number of valves are closed simultaneously cause
serious damage in the piping system. The problem of failure may then be clearly identified as water hammering.

In this paper, it is observed that surge pressure due to water hammer is quite significant and is detectable. A one
dimensional study is undertaken and it is considered that pressure wave travels towards the source as water hammer
occurs; however, the wave travels in both directions. In the study, the quantum of damage depends on material of
pipe, length of occurrence of water hammer, diameter and thickness of pipe. The effect of diameter on water
hammer is non-linear and effective length and thickness is linear; but open end leakages are not considered. The
coupled effect of all there effective water hammer surge pressure.

  199  
 The concept of installing surge tank in certain intervals throughout the water mains is perhaps a solution to curb the
effect of water hammer. Instead, an automatic by-pass system of pressure through a sensor is instead another
solution.

The outcomes of the study in the paperwould help in designing pipe lines with various materials, lengths, diameters
and thicknesses throws some light in future scope of study.

IV. References:

[1] J. K. Roy and P. Basak, Investigating water hammer problems in piped water distribution system, , ISOR-JAP,
IOSR Journal of Applied Physics (IOSR-JAP),e-ISSN: 2278-4861.Volume 6, Issue 2 Ver. II (Mar-Apr. 2014), PP 51-
58.
[2] J. K. Roy, P. K. Roy and P. Basak, Water hammer protection in water supply system-a new approach with
practical implementation, IEEE International Conf. on Communication and Industrial Application, Kolkata, (ICCIA
2011), IEEE DigitalXploreDOI:10.1109/ICCIndA.2011.6146652.
[3] M. S. Gidhaoui, M. Zhao, D. A. Mclnnis and D. H. Axworthy, A review of water hammer theory and practices,
Applied Mechanics Reviews, Vol. 58, pp- 49-74 2005.
[4] M.N. S. Prakash,Water Hammer. Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines, pp1-9, water hammer in pipe-e-learning
@VTU.
[5] A. K. Jain, Fluid Mechanics, pp-400, Khanna Publishers, 1996.
[6] R. Michael and P. E. Lindeburg, Mechanical Engg. Ref. Mannual, pp64-11, 14.2013.
[7] Arris, S. Tijsseling and A. Alexander, The Joukowsky equation for fluids and solids
(http://www.win.tue.nl/analysis/reports/rana06-08.pdf)
[8] R. K. Bansal, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines (Laxmi Publishers (P) Ltd., 2000)
[9] A. H. Gibson, Water hammer in hydraulic pipelines (Archibald Constable, London, UK, 1908)
[10] A. K. Jain, Fluid Mechanics (Khanna Publishers, New Delhi, 1996)
[11] Idelchik, I. E. Handbook of Hydraulic Resistance (Hemisphere Publishing Corp., Washington, 1986)
[12] A. J. Tijsseling and A. Anderson, The joukowsky equation for fluids and solids, CASA Reports, Dept. of
Mathematics and Computer Science, EindohovenUniversityof Technology, March, 2006.
[13] R. Misra, Automation-The key to water management, Indepth- Instrumentation & Process Control, Everything
about water, Forbes Marshall, February 2008, 26-31.
[14] J. P. Frizell, Pressures resulting from changes of velocity of water in pipes, Transactions of the ASCE 39, Paper
819, 1-18.
[15] V. L. Streeter and C. Lai, Water hammer analysis including friction, Tran, Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. 128, 1491-1524.
[16] J. K. Roy, P. K. Roy and P. Basak, Water Hammer protection in water supply system- a new approach with
practical implementation, IEEE International Conference on Communication and Industrial Application, Kolkata,
(ICCIA2011)Dec 26-28, 2011, IEEE Digital Xplore DOI: 10.1109/ICCIndA.2011.6146652
[18] Anton Bergant and ArrisTijsseling, Parameters Affecting Water Hammer Wave Attenuation, Shape and
Timing, Rana Reports, Centre for Analysis, Scientific Computing and Applications, Dept. of Computer Science,
Eindhoven University of Technologya.s.tijsseling@TUE.nl

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