Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines

Water Hammer in Pipes

H
Pressure wave

A B
L
If water is flowing along a long pipe and is suddenly brought to rest by
the closing of a valve, or by any similar cause, there will be a sudden rise in
pressure due to the momentum of the water being destroyed. This will cause a
wave of high pressure to be transmitted along the pipe with a velocity equal to
the sound wave, which may setup noises known as Knocking. The magnitude of
this pressure will depend on (i) The mean pipe flow velocity (ii) The length of
the pipe (iii) The time taken to close the valve and (iv) The elastic properties of
the pipe material and that of water.
This sudden rise in pressure in the pipe due to the stoppage of the flow
generating a high pressure wave, which will have a hammering effect on the
walls of the pipe, is known as Water Hammer.
The cases that can be studied under this are:
1. Gradual closure of valve
2. Sudden closure of valve and
a. Pipe is rigid
b. Pipe is elastic
Critical Tim e:
It is defined as the time required for the pressure wave generated due to c losure
of valve to travel once from the point of origin to reservoir over the length of
pipe and back to the point of origination.
If T is the time required by the pressure wave to travel once up and down the
pipe and C is the velocity of the pressure wave equal to the velocity of sound
wave in water also called as Celerity, then from Newtons law, we have
Distance traveled = Average velocity x time
i.e. 2 L C T

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Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
2L
Hence T
C
If t is the actual time of closure, T is the critical time, then
2L
1. if t > T , then it is referred to as Gradual closure and
C
2L
2. if t < T , then it is referred to as Sudden closure
C
Instantaneous rise in pressure in a pipe running full due to Gradual closure
of valve
Consider a pipe AB of length L connected to a tank at A and a valve at B with
water flowing in it as shown in Fig. Let V be the mean flow velocity and a is the
flow cross-sectional area, p the instantaneous rise in pressure due to gradual
closure of valve and t be the actual time of closure of valve.
From Newtons second law of motion, the retarding force generated against the
flow direction is given by the rate of change momentum of the liquid along the
direction of the force.

Retardation of water = Change in velocity / Time =

V 0 V
t t
V
Retarding force = Mass of water x Retardation = a L ............................ (01)
t
The force generated due to pressure wave = Pressure intensity x area
= pi a ................................ ....... (02)
From Eqs. 1 and 2, we get
V
pi a a L
t
LV
Hence pi
t
pi LV LV
Instantaneous rise in Pressure head = H ......................... (03)
g gt gt
The above equation is valid only for rigid pipes with incompressible fluids
flowing through it.
Instantaneous rise in pressure in a pipe running full due to Sudden closure of
valve when the pipe is rigid
When the valve provided at the downstream end is closed suddenly and the pipe
is rigid, then the converted pressure energy from the kinetic energy due to
closure is to be absorbed by the fluid due to its compressibility only.

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Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
Pressure Energy Pressure energy
converted from = absorbed by water due
Kinetic energy to its compressibility
i.e. E k = E w (01)
Consider the pipe AB of length L and cross-sectional area a in which water of mass
density , weight density and bulk density K is flowing with a mean velocity V be
suddenly stopped due to closure of valve provided at B.
The kinetic energy of flowing water before closure of valve will be converted to
strain energy, when the effect of friction and elasticity of pipe material are ignored.
Loss of kinetic energy E k = x mass of water x V 2
As mass = x volume = x aL
Loss of kinetic energy E k = x a L x V 2 ................................................... (02)

1 pi2 1 p2
Gain in strain energy = Volume i aL .................................... (03)
2 K 2 K

From Eqs. 1, 2 and 3, we get

1 p2
a L V 2 i aL
2 K

or p 2i K V 2

or pi V K

K
But Celerity C .

Substituting for the value of C in the above equation for pressure rise, we get
pi = V C
Instantaneous rise in pressure in a pipe running full due to Sudden closure of
valve when the pipe is elastic
When the valve provided at the downstream end is closed suddenly and the pipe is
elastic, then the converted pressure energy from the kinetic energy due to the valve
closure is to be absorbed by both the fluid due to its compressibility and the
elasticity of the pipe.

Pressure Energy Pressure energy Pressure energy

converted from = absorbed by water + absorbed by the Elastic
Kinetic energy due to its pipe due to its expansion
i.e. E k = E w +E p
compressibility (01)
E k and E w can be computed as in the previous derivation.

Dr. M.N. Shesha Prakash 3

Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
Computation of E p can be done
by simulating the situation to
Hoop l
the thick cylinder subjected to Stress=f
1
internal fluid pressure. Let t
Longitudinal
be the thickness of the elastic Stress=f2
pipe wall and assume that it is pi
small compared to its diameter
D. Let f1 be the hoop or t
Diameter = D
circumferential
and stress f 2 be the longitudinal stress as shown in figure.
Let the Youngs modulous of the pipe material be E and poisons ration 1 / m
Let the instantaneous fluid pressure be p i .
From the knowledge oaf Strength of materials, we can write that
pi D pD
f1 and f 2 i
2t 4t
Hence f 1 = 2 f 2
Further, the strain energy stored
l
in pipe per unit volume is given
by
Ep 1 2 2f f
f1 f 22 1 2
V1 2E m t
D
Substituting f 1 = 2 f 2 , we get

Ep 1 2 4 f 22
2
4 f f 2

V1 2E
2
m l

Ep f 22 4
5
V1 2 E m

Substituting for f 2 , and V 1 = Dtl we get

pi2 D 2 1 4
Ep 5 D t l .................... (04)
16 t 2 E m
2
t
From Eqs. 02 and 03, we have
D
Ek = x a L x V 2
.................... (02)
1
Ek a L V 2
2

Dr. M.N. Shesha Prakash 4

Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
1 p2 1 p2
E w i Volume i aL ............ (03)
2 K 2 K

Substituting in Eq. 01, we have

1 1 p2 p2 D2 1 4
a L V 2 i aL i 2 5 Dt L
2 2 K 16 t 2 E m

Simplifying, we get

1 1 p2 p2D 1 4 D2
a L V 2 i aL i 5 L
2 2 K 4 t 2 E m 4

D2
But a and hence aL/2 gets canceled on both sides
4
p2 p2D 1 4 1 D 4
V 2 i i 5 pi2 5
K 4t E m K 4 t E m

pi V V ................................ ... (05)
1 D 4 1 D 5 1
K 4 t E 5 m K t E 4 m

The above expression gives the instantaneous rise in pressure in an elastic pipe
due to sudden closure of Valve.

If the Poisons ration is not given, it can be assumed as . Then Eq. 04 reduces
to

pi V .............................. ................................ ............ (06)
1 D

K t E
Numerical Problem s
July/Ag 2005
1. A hydraulic pipeline 3 km long, 500 mm diameter is used is used to convey
water with a velocity of 1.5 m/s. Determine the pressure growth of the valve
provided at the outflow end is closed in (i) 20 s (ii) 3.5 s. Consider pipe to be
rigid and take bulk modulous of elasticity of water as K w a t e r = 20 x 10 8 N/m 2
Solution: (10)
L = 3000 m; d = 0.5 m; V = 1.5 m/s; t 1 = 20 s; t 2 = 3.5 s;
K = 20 x 10 8 N/m 2 ; = 1000 kg/m 3 (Assumed)

2L K 2 109
Critical time T , where Celerity C 1414.2m/s
C 1000

Dr. M.N. Shesha Prakash 5

Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
2 3000
Hence T 4.24 s
1414.2
Case (i)
t 1 > T, Hence the valve closure is gradual.
Instantaneous rise in pressure is given by
L V 1000 3000 1.5
pi 225 kPa (Ans)
t 20
Case (ii)
t 2 < T, Hence the valve closure is Sudden with pipe rigid.
Instantaneous rise in pressure is given by
pi VC 1000 1.51414.2 2.1213 MPa (Ans)
July 2006
2. Water flowing with a velocity of 1.5 m/s in a rigid pipe of diameter 500 mm
is suddenly brought to rest. Find the instantaneous rise in pressure if bulk
modulous of water is 1.962 GPa. (04)
Solution:
V = 1.5 m/s; K = 1.962 GPa; = 1000 kg/m 3 (Assumed)

K 1.962 109
Celerity C 1400.7 m/s
1000
Instantaneous rise in pressure is given by
pi VC 1000 1.5 1400.7 2.1 MPa (Ans)
Dec/Jan 06
3. A steel penstock of 1000 mm diameter has a thickness of 20 mm. Water is
flowing initially with a velocity of 2.0 m/s. Flow velocity is brought to rest by
closing a valve at the end of the pipeline. Bulk modulous of water is 2 x 10 9
N/m 2 and elastic modulous of pipe material is 2 x 10 1 1 N/m 2 . If the length of the
pipe is 2000 m, find the pressure rise in terms of head of water when:
(i) Water is compressible and pipe is elastic (08)
(ii) Water is compressible and pipe is rigid (02)
Solution:
V = 2.0 m/s; d = 1 m; t =20 x 10 - 3 m ; K = 2.0 GPa;
1 1
E = 200 GPa; and = 1000 kg/m 3 (Assumed)
m 4
Case (i)
The valve closure is Sudden with pipe Elastic.

Dr. M.N. Shesha Prakash 6

Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
1000
pi V 2 .0 2.309 MPa (Ans)
1 D 1 1 1
K t E 2 20 10 3 200 109

Instantaneous rise in Pressure head =
pi 2.309 106
230.9 m of water (Ans)
g 1000 10
Case (ii)
The valve closure is Sudden with pipe rigid.

K 2 109
Celerity C 1414.2m/s
1000
Instantaneous rise in pressure is given by
pi VC 1000 2.0 1414.2 2.828 MPa
Instantaneous rise in Pressure head =
pi 2.828 106
282.8 m of water (Ans)
g 1000 10
Jan/Feb 2005
4. What is the maximum pressure rise due to sudden closure of a valve in a pipe
of 300 mm diameter conveying water with a velocity of 1.8 m/s? The pipe wall
is 18 mm thick. The E p i p e = 210 GPa and K w a t e r = 2.1 GPa. Also find the hoop
stress developed. (06)
Solution:
V = 1.8 m/s; d = 0.3 m; t =18 x 10 - 3 m ; K = 2.1 GPa;
E = 210 GPa;
1 1
and = 1000 kg/m 3 (Assumed)
m 4
The valve closure is Sudden with pipe Elastic.

1000
pi V 1 .8 2.091 MPa (Ans)
1 D 1 1 1
K t E 2.1 18 10 3 210 109

Hoop stress developed is given by
pi d 2.091 106 0.3
f1 17.425 MPa (Ans)
2t 2 18 10 3
Homework
Jan/Feb 2006

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Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
The water is flowing with a velocity of 1.5 m/s in a pipe of length 2.5 km. At
the end of the pipe, a valve is provided. Find the pressure rise if the valve is
closed in 20 seconds. Take the pressure wave velocity as 1460 m/s. If the valve
is closed in 2 seconds find the pressure rise assuming the pipe to be rigid and
bulk modulous as 2000 MPa. (08)
Ans: T = 3.42 s, Case (i) Gradual closure, p i = 187.5 kPa,
Case (ii) Sudden closure p i = 2.19 Mpa
Old Schem e
Aug 2000
The water is flowing with a velocity of 2 m/s in a pipe of length 2000 m and
diameter 60 cm. At the end of the pipe a valve is provided. Find the r ise in
pressure if the valve is closed in 20 s. Take the value of C = 1420 m/s. (06)
Ans: T = 2.817 s, Gradual closure, p i = 200 kPa
Aug 2001
A steel penstock 60 cm diameter and wall thickness 1.2 cm carries water with a
mean velocity of 2.1 m/s. Find the pressure rise due to a sudden valve closure
by (i) neglecting pipe elasticity
(ii) considering pipe elasticity
E = 2.1 x 10 5 N/mm 2 , K = 2.1 x 10 3 N/mm 2
Also find the stresses in the pipe material and critical time, if length of pipe is
1.2 km for case (ii) (10)
Ans: C = 1449.14 m/s, Case (i) p i = 3.043 MPa, Case (ii) p i = 2.485 MPa
T = 1.66 S, Hoop stress = 62.119 MPa and
Longitudinal stress = 31.06 MPa,
Jan 2003
A water main of concrete pipe 3.2 km long and 300 mm in diameter discharges
into a reservoir at the rate of 9 MLD. If this line is gradually closed by a valve
at reservoir end in 16 seconds, show that there is risk of pipe burst. Assume test
pressure of concrete pipe is 25 m (06)
3
Ans: Q = 0.1042 m /s, V = 1.474 m/s, p i = 294 kPa, h i = 29.47 m > 25 m

Dr. M.N. Shesha Prakash 8

Water Hammer Hydraulics and Hydraulic Machines
Jan 2004
The water is flowing with a velocity of 1.25 m/s in a pipe of length 2000 m and
of diameter 250 mm. At the end of the pipe, a valve is provided. Find the rise in
pressure if the valve is closed in 27.5 s. Take C = 1460 m/s (06)
Ans: T = 2.74 s, Gradual closure, p i = 90.91 kPa
Jan 2005
A 300 mm concrete pipe carries water to a distance of 3 km into a reservoir at a
rate of 10,000 m 3 /day. If the supply line is gradually closed by operating a valve
near the reservoir in 16 seconds, check whether there is a risk of pipe burst. The
concrete pipes are tested for a safe pressure of 25 kN/m 2 . (06)
Ans: Q = 0.11574 m 3 /s, V = 1.637 m/s, p i = 307 kPa > 25 kN/m 2

Dr. M.N. Shesha Prakash 9