World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Vol:7, No:11, 2013

Sizing the Protection Devices to Control Water

Hammer Damage
I. Abuiziah, A. Oulhaj, K. Sebari, D. Ouazar

[14]. Jung et al. compared between the results obtained for

Abstract—The primary objectives of transient analysis are to both simple and complex pipe systems by using the method of
determine the values of transient pressures that can result from flow characteristics, and the results are more accurate in the simple
control operations and to establish the design criteria for system systems [15]. The characteristics method has been used to
equipment and devices (such as control devices and pipe wall study the oil pipe systems [16], and cooling networks in
thickness) so as to provide an acceptable level of protection against
system failure due to pipe collapse or bursting. Because of the nuclear plants [3], [17]. Recently Nabi et al. used this method
complexity of the equations needed to describe transients, numerical to analyze real pipe systems in Pakistan; also they study the
computer models are used to analyze transient flow hydraulics. An effect of installing protection device on the system [18].
effective numerical model allows the hydraulic engineer to analyze To reduce the dangerous effects of water hammer; the surge
Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:11, 2013 waset.org/Publication/9997283

potential transient events and to identify and evaluate alternative devices have been added to the pipeline systems. Most of
solutions for controlling hydraulic transients, thereby protecting the these protection equipments aim to protect against unfavorable
integrity of the hydraulic system. This paper presents the influence of
using the protection devices to control the adverse effects due to large pressure fluctuations tend to maintain the pressure at a
excessive and low pressure occurs in the transient. nearly constant value at some fixed places, or tend to keep the
pressure from exceeding a predetermined value [3], [9], [19].
Keywords—Flow Transient, Water hammer, Pipeline System, Several criteria can be adopted to determine which surge
Surge Tank, Simulation Model, Protection Devices. devices are to be used such as the effectiveness, dependability,
evaluation of cost character and frequency of maintenance
I. INTRODUCTION requirement over an exceeded period [5].

I N a water pipeline system, system flow control is an

integrated part of its operation, for instance, the opening and
closing of valves, and starting and stopping of pumps. When
these operations are performed very quickly, they can cause
hydraulic transient phenomena.
Transients analysis are important in hydraulic systems
because it can cause rupture of pipe and pump casings, pipe
collapse, vibration, excessive pipe displacements, pipe-fitting,
support deformation and/or failure, and vapor cavity
formation.
Several methods have been introduced and used to analyze
water hammer problem like the energy [1], arithmetic [2],
graphical, characteristics, algebraic, implicit and linear
Fig. 1 Typical locations for vinous surge protection devices [20]
analyzing [3]-[5], Euler and Lagrangian based method [6], and
decoupled hybrid methods [7]. The characteristics method In this work computer software has been developed in order
converts the two partial differential equations of motion and to simulate and design hydraulic transients in pipeline
continuity into four total differential equations. These systems.
equations are then expressed in finite differential form, using
the method of specified time intervals, and solutions are II. PROBLEM STATEMENT
carried out with the use of digital computer [5], [8]-[10]
Karney et al. used the characteristics with some Transients can produce large pressure forces and rapid fluid
modification to obtain more efficient calculations of transient acceleration into a water pipeline system. These disturbances
in simple pipe system [11], while Tezcan et al. used this may result in device failures, system fatigue or pipe ruptures,
method to analyze the transient in complex pipe systems [10]- and even the backflow/intrusion of dirty water. Many transient
events can lead to water column separation, which can result
in catastrophic pipeline failures. Thus, transient events cause
Itissam Abuiziah is Ph.D student, with the Rural Engineering Department,
Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco (e-mail: health risks and can lead to increased leakage or decreased
[email protected]). reliability.
Ahmed Oulhaj and Karima Sebari are with the Rural Engineering
Department, Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Hassan II, Raba, Morocco.
Driss Ouazar is with the Civil Engineering, Ecole Mohammadia
d'Ingénieurs, Rabat, Morocco.

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(11) 2013 894 ISNI:0000000091950263
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vol:7, No:11, 2013

Numerical model has been developed and use to analyze

hydraulic transients due to the complexity of the equations
needed to describe the transients. An effective numerical
model allows the hydraulic engineer to analyze potential
transient events and to identify and evaluate alternative
solutions for controlling hydraulic transients, thereby
protecting the integrity of the hydraulic system.

Fig. 2 Transient-caused failure, Super-aqueduct of Puerto Rico

Typical events that require transient considerations include:

1. Pump startup or shutdown;
2. Valve opening or closing (variation in cross-sectional
Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:11, 2013 waset.org/Publication/9997283

flow area);
3. Changes in boundary pressures (e.g., losing overhead
storage tank, adjustments in the water level at reservoirs,
pressure changes in tanks, etc.);
4. Rapid changes in demand conditions (e.g., hydrant
flushing);
5. Changes in transmission conditions (e.g., main break or
line freezing);
6. Pipe filling or draining—air release from pipes; and
7. Check valve or regulator valve action.
The identification and calculation of pressures, velocities,
and other abnormal behavior resulting from the hydraulic
transients make possible the effective use of various control
strategies, such as the Fig. 3 Ordinary engineer will often become lost in maze of
1. Selection of pipes and fittings to withstand the anticipated equations [6]
pressures;
2. Selection and location of the proper control devices to To reduce the dangerous effects of water hammer; the
alleviate the adverse effects of transients; and protection devices have been added to the pipeline systems,
3. Identification of proper start-up, operation, and shutdown examples of protection devices are shown in the following
procedures for the system. figures.

III. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The simplified equations that govern unsteady flow in
pipelines are motion and continuity equations which solved
together ((1) and (2)), since the two equations provide two
unknowns H and V. The method of characteristics used to
transform the partial differential equations into total
differential equations.

  
||
  0 (1)
   

  
 0 (2)
  

where H is the piezometric head, V is the flow velocity, x is

the distance along the pipe, t is time,  is the acceleration of
gravity, f is the pipe friction factor (assumed constant), D is
the pipe diameter, and a is the celerity of a pressure wave in
the pipeline.

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(11) 2013 895 ISNI:0000000091950263
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vol:7, No:11, 2013

1. Single pipeline with a res

reservoir at upstream end and open
valve downstream is considered.
2. Pump feeds a reservoir at upstream end.
Case 1: A reservoir connected to a horizontal pipeline and a
butterfly valve at downstream end. The pipe characteristics are
shown in Fig. 5,, the pipe diameter and the initial opening of
the valve is 50%.
Closing the valve instantly cause speed cancellation,
cancellatio an
increase in pressure, a radial and longitudinal deformation of
the pipe and an increase in liquid density.
In order to minimize the effect of overpressure and low
pressure; relief valve device have been studied in this case:
The simulation results are
re shown in the following graphs:
Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:11, 2013 waset.org/Publication/9997283

Fig. 4 Examples of protection devices (a) Closed surge tank (b) Open
surge tank (c) Pressure relief valve and (d) By
By-pass
Fig. 5 Simple reservoir valve system
IV. SIMULATION RESULTS
In order to demonstrate the use of characteristics method for
transient analysis two problems were solved.

Fig. 6 Transients in pipeline system (Instant valve closure) (a) Head change versus time at the valve) and (b) Hydraulic Grade Lines (Without
protection

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(11) 2013 896 ISNI:0000000091950263
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vol:7, No:11, 2013

Fig. 7 Transients in pipeline system (Instant valve closure) (a) Head change versus time at the valve and (b) Hydraulic Grade Lines (with
pressure relief valve protection)

The simulation results for unprotected pipeline show that m/s. Flow delivered by the pump station is Q = 30 l/s. At a
the maximum and minimum pressures are nearly about 205 m given moment the pump is stopped immediately after a power
Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:11, 2013 waset.org/Publication/9997283

and -150 m respectively, while the maximum pressure is about outage.

116 m when relief valve is used. In order o minimize the effect of overpressure and low
Case2: A pump feeds a reservoir where the water level is at pressure; the following devices have been studied in this case:
elevation HR = 30 m, through a conduit having the following 1. Open surge tank 2. Closed surge tank 3. By-pass.
characteristics, L = 1000 m, D = 0.2 m, λ = 0.02, and a = 1000 The simulation results are shown in the following graphs:

Fig. 8 Transients in a pumping system (a) Head change versus time at the pomp and (b) Hydraulic Grade Lines (without Protection)

Fig. 9 Transients in a pumping system (a) Head change versus time at the pomp and (b) Hydraulic Grade Lines (with open surge tank
protection)

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(11) 2013 897 ISNI:0000000091950263
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vol:7, No:11, 2013

Fig. 10 Transients in a pumping system (a) Head change versus time at the pomp and (b) Hydraulic Grade Lines (with closed surge tank
Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:11, 2013 waset.org/Publication/9997283

Protection)

Fig. 11 Transients in a pumping system (a) Head change versus time at the pomp and (b) Hydraulic Grade Lines (with By-pass Protection)

The simulation results for unprotected pipeline shows that risk of system damage or failure due to hydraulic transients.
the maximum pressure in the pipe is slightly greater than Potentially, water hammer can create serious consequences
120m, But by using the open surge tank, the maximum and for pipeline designers if not properly recognized and
minimum pressures at the surge tank location become only addressed by analysis and design modifications. Three
about 35m and 30m respectively, and also by using a closed principal design tactics for mitigation of water hammer are
surge tank with a capacity of 3m3, the maximum pressure at 1. Alteration of pipeline properties such as profile and
the closed surge tank is only about 35m, while by using the diameter,
by-pass it reduces to 59m. 2. Implementation of improved valve and pump control
Several criteria can be adopted to determine which surge procedures, and
devices are to be used, such as the effectiveness, 3. Design and installation of surge control devices.
dependability, evaluation of cost character and frequency of
maintenance requirement over an exceeded period. V. CONCLUSIONS
System flow control operations are performed as part of the Transients can introduce large pressure forces and rapid
routine operation of a water distribution system, examples of fluid accelerations into a piping system. These disturbances
system flow control operations include opening and closing may result in pump and device failures…etc, due to the
valves, starting and stopping pumps, and discharging water in devastating effects that a hydraulic transient can cause, its
response to fire emergencies. These operations cause analysis is very important in determining the values of
hydraulic transient phenomena, especially if they are transient pressures that can result from flow control operations
performed too quickly. Proper design and operation of all and to establish the design criteria for system equipment and
aspects of a hydraulic system are necessary to minimize the

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(11) 2013 898 ISNI:0000000091950263
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Vol:7, No:11, 2013

devices so as to provide an acceptable level of protection

against system failure due to pipe collapse or bursting.
Hydraulic transient analysis is an effective and reliable tool
to determine the needs for surge protection systems against
transient surges.

REFERENCES
[1] B. W. Karney, "Energy relations in transient closed-conduit
flow."Hydraulic Engineering, 116:10, 1180-1196, 1990.
[2] Z. Zarzycki and S. Kudzma, "Simulation of transient flows in a
hydraulic system with a long liquid line."Theoetical and applied
mechanics, 45:4, 853-871, 2007.B. Smith, “An approach to graphs of
linear forms (Unpublished work style),” unpublished.
[3] M. H. Chaudhry, Applied hydraulic transient, Second edition Ed., Van
Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc, New York, 1987.
[4] M. S. Ghidaoui, M. Zhao, D. A. Mcinnis and Axworthy, D. "A review of
water hammer theory and practice "ASME, 58(1), 49-76, 2005.
[5] E. B. Wylie and V. L. Streeter, Fluid transients Corrected edition Ed.,
Thomson-Shore, Dexter, MI, United States of America, 1983.
[6] D. J. Wood, S. Lingireddy, B. W. Karney, P. F. Boulos, and D. L.
Open Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:11, 2013 waset.org/Publication/9997283

Mcpherson, "Numerical methods for modeling transient flow."American

Water Works Association (AWWA), 97:7, 104-114, 2005.
[7] J. A. Twyman, Decoupled Hybrid methods for unsteady flow analysis in
pipe netwoks, Lo Arcaya, Santiago de Chile, 2004.
[8] Nabi, G., Habib-ur-Rehman, Kashif, M., and Tareq, M.
(2011)."Hydraulic transient analysis of surge tanks: case study of
Satpara and GolenGol Hydropower projects in Pakistan " Pak. J.
Engg.& Apple Sci, 8, 34-48.
[9] V. L. Streeter and E. B. Wylie, "Waterhammer and surge control."
Annual review fluid mechanics, 1974:6, 57-73, 1973.
[10] T. Tezkan, U. Gokkus and G. Sinir, "Analysis of unsteady flow in
complex pipe system by the method of characteristics. "Mechanical and
computational applications, 3:1, 27-35, 1998.
[11] B. W. Karney and D. Mclnnis, "Efficient calculation of transient flow in
simple pipe networks."Hydraulic Engineering, 118:7, 1014-1030, 1992.
[12] A.Kodura and K. Weinerowska, "Some aspects of physical and
numerical modeling of water hammer in pipelines." In: International
Symposuim on Water Management and Hydraulic Enginering,
Ottenstein-Austria 125-133, 2005.
[13] B. W. Karney, and D. Mclnnis, "Transient analysis of water distribution
systems."American Water Works Association (AWWA), 62-70. 1990.
[14] K. Sirvole, "Transient analysis in piping networks," Virginia Polytehnic
Institute and State University, Blacksborg, Virginia. 2007.
[15] B. S. Jung, B. W. Karney, P. F. Boulos and D. J. Wood, "The need for
comprehensive transient analysis of distribution systems."American
Water Works Association (AWWA), 99:1, 112-123, 2007.
[16] S. H. Aljanabi, "Numerical modeling of transient flow in long oil
pipeline system."Engineering & Technology, 28:16, 5346-5357, 2010.
[17] M. H. Chaudhry, Applied hydraulic transient, First edition Ed., Van
Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc, New York, 1979.
[18] B. E. Larock, R. W. Jeppson and G. Z. Watters, Hydraulics of pipeline
systems, one Ed., CRC Press LLC, Unites States of America, 2000.
[19] G. Nabi, Habib-ur-Rehman, M. Kashif and M. Tareq,"Hydraulic
transient analysis of surge tanks: case study of Satpara and GolenGol
Hydropower projects in Pakistan " Pak. J. Engg.& Apple Sci, 8, 34-48,
2011.
[20] P. F. Boulos. B. W. Karney, D. J. Wood. and S. Lingireddy," Hydraulic
Transient Guidelines for Protecting Water Distribution Systems"
American Water Works Association (AWWA), 97:5, 111-124, 2005.

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(11) 2013 899 ISNI:0000000091950263