CEE 345 Laboratory #2

Spring 2002 Water Hammer

Procedure:

1) Establish a steady-state flow in the system, consisting of the reservoir, the PVC pipe,
and the surge tank. Measure the flow rate.

2) Set the strip chart speed at 100 mm/s, close valve 1 instantaneously, and obtain the
trace of pressure vs. time.

Report:

1) Calculate the period of the pressure wave (assuming instant closure, it is 4L/a). Com-
pare this with the time measured from the strip chart record.

2) Assuming instant closure, calculate the pressure rise due to closure at the sensor and
compare with the measured value. Show how you “calibrate” the trace in order to de-
termine measured pressure values. Label, on the strip chart record, the measurements
used in the calculations.

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CEE 345 Laboratory #2
Spring 2002 Water Hammer