Water Hammer

Water Hammer in pipe flow

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry

Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Division

IIT Madras

August 19, 2019

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

If water is flowing through 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. 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.
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

What happens when the valve is closed instantaneously?

Consider flow in the pipe shown in the figure. Initially the valve at the
end of the pipe is only partially open (Fig. 1a), consequently an initial
velocity V and initial pressure p0 exist in the pipe.

Fig. 1

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

What happens when the valve is closed instantaneously?

Consider flow in the pipe shown in the figure. Initially the valve at the
end of the pipe is only partially open (Fig. 1a), consequently an initial
velocity V and initial pressure p0 exist in the pipe.

Fig. 1
At time t = 0, it is assumed that the valve is instantaneously closed.
As a result the liquid next to the valve comes to a halt.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

What happens when the valve is closed instantaneously?

Consider flow in the pipe shown in the figure. Initially the valve at the
end of the pipe is only partially open (Fig. 1a), consequently an initial
velocity V and initial pressure p0 exist in the pipe.

Fig. 1
At time t = 0, it is assumed that the valve is instantaneously closed.
As a result the liquid next to the valve comes to a halt.
This liquid is then compressed by the liquid upstream which is still
flowing. The compression causes local increase in the density, thereby
pressure on the fluid.
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Therefore, all the water between the pressure wave and the upper end
of the pipe will have the initial velocity V , but all the water on the
other side of the pressure wave (between wave an the valve) will be at
rest (Fig. 1b).

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Therefore, all the water between the pressure wave and the upper end
of the pipe will have the initial velocity V , but all the water on the
other side of the pressure wave (between wave an the valve) will be at
rest (Fig. 1b).

A chain reaction then takes place along the length of the pipe with
each stationary element of liquid being compressed by the flowing
liquid upstream.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Therefore, all the water between the pressure wave and the upper end
of the pipe will have the initial velocity V , but all the water on the
other side of the pressure wave (between wave an the valve) will be at
rest (Fig. 1b).

A chain reaction then takes place along the length of the pipe with
each stationary element of liquid being compressed by the flowing
liquid upstream.
This chain reaction results in pressure wave which travels up the pipe
with a velocity c, which is called celerity. It may reach the speed of
sound in water (1484 m/s).
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Once the pressure wave reaches the upper end of the pipe (after time
t = Lc ), it can be visualized that all of the water in the pipe will be
under a pressure p0 + ∆p; however the pressure in the reservoir at the
end of the pipe is only p0 = γh0 (h0 = depth of water in the
reservoir). This imbalance of pressure at the reservoir end causes the
water to flow from the pipe back into the reservoir with a velocity V .

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Once the pressure wave reaches the upper end of the pipe (after time
t = Lc ), it can be visualized that all of the water in the pipe will be
under a pressure p0 + ∆p; however the pressure in the reservoir at the
end of the pipe is only p0 = γh0 (h0 = depth of water in the
reservoir). This imbalance of pressure at the reservoir end causes the
water to flow from the pipe back into the reservoir with a velocity V .
Thus a new wave of the pressure unloading travels back along the
pipe in the opposite direction, i.e. toward the valve end of the pipe
and the pressure on the reservoir side of the wave is reduced to p0 .
See Fig. 1(c).

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

When this wave finally reaches the valve, all the water in the pipe is
flowing toward the reservoir. This condition is only momentary, until
L 2L
c <t < c .

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

When this wave finally reaches the valve, all the water in the pipe is
flowing toward the reservoir. This condition is only momentary, until
L 2L
c <t < c .
When this unloading pressure wave hits the closed valve the flow is
stopped and a drop in pressure occurs.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

When this wave finally reaches the valve, all the water in the pipe is
flowing toward the reservoir. This condition is only momentary, until
L 2L
c <t < c .
When this unloading pressure wave hits the closed valve the flow is
stopped and a drop in pressure occurs.
During time 2L 3L
c < t < c , a negative pressure wave (p < p0 ) travels
up to the reservoir, as shown in Fig. 1d. when the wave reaches the
reservoir, all the water in the pipe has a pressure less than that in the
reservoir. This low pressure may cause cavitation.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

This imbalance of pressure causes flow to be established again (Fig.

1e) in the entire pipe as shown in Fig.1f and the condition is exactly
the same as in the initial condition (Fig. 1a). The process will now
repeat itself in a periodic manner.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

This imbalance of pressure causes flow to be established again (Fig.

1e) in the entire pipe as shown in Fig.1f and the condition is exactly
the same as in the initial condition (Fig. 1a). The process will now
repeat itself in a periodic manner.

From this description, it may be seen that the pressure in the pipe
immediately upstream of the valve will be high and low.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

This imbalance of pressure causes flow to be established again (Fig.

1e) in the entire pipe as shown in Fig.1f and the condition is exactly
the same as in the initial condition (Fig. 1a). The process will now
repeat itself in a periodic manner.

From this description, it may be seen that the pressure in the pipe
immediately upstream of the valve will be high and low.
In real practice, friction effects are considered and hence a damping
effect occurs and the pressure waveCEdies
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry
out, i.e. energy is dissipated.
2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Water hammer process

Fig. 2: Water hammer process - (a) Initial condition, (b) condition during
time 0 < t < Lc , (c) condition during time Lc < t < 2L
c , (d) condition
2L
during time c < t < c , (e) condition during time c < t < 4L
3L 3L
c and (f)
condition at time t = 4L c .
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Water hammer - Pressure change

Consider a pressure wave in a rigid pipe as shown. The wave is traveling at
a speed of c; thus at time t, its distance from the valve is ct. Identify the
control volume as shown.

Fig. 3: Control volume for water hammer

The x-momentum equation can be written as
Z
X d
Fx = vx ρ d∀ + ṁo vo − ṁi vi
dt cv
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges
P
Forces in x-direction: Fx = pA − (p + ∆p)A

Inlet momentum flow: ṁi vi = ρAV 2

outlet momentum flow: ṁo vo = 0

d d
R
Momentum accumulation: dt cv vx ρ d∀ = dt [V ρ (L − ct) A] = − V ρcA

Substituting all the values in the momentum equation, one gets

pA − (p + ∆p)A = −ρVcA − ρAV 2
⇒ ∆p = ρVc + ρV 2
Because c >> V
∆p = ρVc
Therefore, change in pressure is positive when the gate is closed at
downstream and the pressure wave moves upstream.
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Water hammer - Pressure wave speed

The speed of pressure wave can be obtained by applying the continuity

equation to the
PcontrolPvolume. The continuity equation
d
R
dt CV ρd∀ + ṁo − ṁi = 0
CS CS

and when applied to the control volume

d
dt [ρ (L − ct) A + (ρ + ∆ρ) ctA] − ṁi = 0

The mass flow rate is given by ṁi = ρAV , so the continuity equation
reduces to ∆ρ V
ρ = c or c = ∆ρ/ρ
V

∆ρ ∆p
However, by definition Ev = ∆p/(∆ρ/ρ). Therefore, ρ = Ev .
q
After substitution: c = Eρv

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture

 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Important terms:
Critical time of closure: t = 2L
c
if valve closing time t < 2Lc → Instantaneous closure
2L
if valve closing time t > c → Gradual closure

Pressure variation with time:

Fig. 4: Variation of water hammer pressure at - (a) adjacent to valve, (b)

at midpoint of pipe and (c) actual variation of pressure near valve.
Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture
 Definition
Instantaneous Closure
Water Hammer
Pressure Variation with time
Damping out pressure surges

Fig. 5: Accumulator on power hydraulic system.

Fig. 6: Surge tank on hydroelectric scheme.

Dr. Soumendra Nath Kuiry CE 2040: Water Hammer Lecture