Abstract
Abstract In this study, transient flow and partial blockage in polyethylene (PE) pipe network are investigated experimentally and numerically using the method of characteristics in the time domain considering pipe-wall viscoelasticity. The experiments were conducted on a PE pipe network with and without partial blockage. The experimental pressure signals were damped during a short period of time in the blockage-free case. The numerical model was calibrated by the inverse transient analysis (ITA). The hydraulic transient solver calibrated with one Kelvin–Voigt element showed good consistency with the experimental results. Partial blockages with different lengths and sizes were examined at different locations of the pipe network. Results reveal an increase in head loss, pressure signal damping, and phase shift with increase in blockage. In addition, the location and characteristics of blockages with different sizes were determined using the ITA in the pipe network.
Highlights
Propagation of transient flow and estimation of maximum and minimum pressure waves are essential in water supply and design and operation of pipe network systems
The results showed that the damping, scattering, and shape of the transient pressure waves are fully described by taking into account the viscoelastic behavior of the pipe-wall in the developed numerical model
The governing equations were discretized by the method of characteristics (MOC) considering the viscoelasticity of polymer pipe-wall effect
Summary
Propagation of transient flow and estimation of maximum and minimum pressure waves are essential in water supply and design and operation of pipe network systems. Brunone et al (2000) examined the pressure wave damping in a PE pipeline considering unsteady friction; their study showed a significant difference between the numerical and experimental results due to their disregard for the viscoelasticity effects of polymer pipe-walls. Covas et al (2004) studied the dynamic behavior of PE pipes under transient pressure oscillation Their numerical and experimental results showed that pressure waves in pipes are quickly damped, causing time delay and a sudden strong pressure drop immediately after a fast valve closure. Comparison of transient flow signals of the system with a classic model showed that their numerical model is able to predict the pressure fluctuations and circumferential strains in PE pipes
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