Research Article| February 01 2010 Water supply operation: diagnosis and reliability analysis in a Lisbon pumping system A. B. Almeida; A. B. Almeida 1Department of Civil Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Technical University of Lisbon (UTL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar H. M. Ramos H. M. Ramos 1Department of Civil Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Technical University of Lisbon (UTL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal E-mail: hr@civil.ist.utl.pt Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2010) 59 (1): 66–78. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2010.051 Article history Received: June 13 2008 Accepted: September 29 2009 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation A. B. Almeida, H. M. Ramos; Water supply operation: diagnosis and reliability analysis in a Lisbon pumping system. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 February 2010; 59 (1): 66–78. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2010.051 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex An abnormal accident with no flow in a pumping system occurred with a large displacement of the pipe system. A slow closure of an isolation valve installed in a large suction pipe was the main action. As soon as the valve was closed the 1.6 m diameter pipe moved and the pipe supports were broken, presenting an expansion joint almost fully opened and the main pipe almost broken. This was a critical event that took place in one of the most important pumping stations of the water supply system in Lisbon. In order to avoid future accidents, a detailed analysis was developed as a priority in order to identify the cause of this event. The paper describes the event and the methodology followed in order to fully validate the diagnostic and the proposed chain of events that caused the pipe movement. The process included a careful, in situ observation of the system, hydraulic and structural analyses and some site tests. Ironically, the explanation of abnormal events can give the opportunity to better understand the operation of water supply systems. Weak points in the design and in the operation can then be detected and future accidents can also be avoided. accidents, corrosion fatigue, hydraulic and structural analysis, pumping system, reliability and safety This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2010 You do not currently have access to this content.