Framework for Forensic Investigation of Associations between Operational States and Pipe Failures in Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

AbstractWater distribution systems throughout the world are deteriorating in part due to corrosion of cast iron pipes. Developing a deeper understanding of the operational association with failure may lead to operational improvements extending asset life. Operations engineers can be expected to develop credible theories of pipe failure based on their experience dealing with failures in the field. However, these failure theories can be more rigorously tested by a systemwide investigation of a large number of pipe failures. A forensic framework was developed to investigate how system operations are associated with large-diameter trunk-main failures. The framework utilizes a pipe failure database and historical supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data to analyze trunk-main failures. Using the framework, about 141 large-diameter (≥300 mm) trunk-main failures were investigated in the Lake Zone in Newcastle, Australia. A predominant system failure mode called pump off peak (POP) was identified tha...