Water Hammer Assessment Techniques for Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

The water hammer hazards are mainly in four aspects: the high water pressure bursting pipes, the vacuum flattening pipes and leading to water pollution, the cavitation damaging the pipes and pump impellers, as well as the transient force loosing the pipe joints. We presented a method to calculate five risk factors: the above four factors plus a composite risk factor. The pipe rupture risk assessment method and procedure were proposed through a water supply pipe network risk prediction flow chart. A real engineering case of CD city of China was used to illustrate the assessment method. The technology was proved correct, and the pipe rupture risk prediction and classification maps can be used to provide technical guidance for the water distribution network design and operation maintenance.