Leak Size, Detectability and Test Conditions in Pressurized Pipe Systems

Abstract

The relationships between leak geometry and detectability are explored with a distinction between steady- and unsteady-state based techniques. Various criteria to evaluate the size and detectability of a leak are first discussed. These criteria can be useful for the benchmarking and the comparison of different techniques. Since the test conditions play a crucial rule in leak detectability, the proposed criteria take this effect into account. Further- more, they show that while in steady-state conditions increases in system pressure enhance leak detectability, in transient state, by contrast, higher pressures tend to decrease detec- tability. This effect is also confirmed by experimental tests carried out at the Water Engineering Laboratory of the University of Perugia.