WATER HAMMER

Water Hammer: celerity of pressure wave = velocity of

sound in that medium (e.g. water)
1

c= ()
E
ρ
2
; where E = modulus of elasticity = 2.0 GN/m3
c = 1440 m/s

Actual velocity of pressure wave is reduced by

circumferencial stretching of pipe:
1 1

c=
E
ρ ( )( 2

1+
1
E⋅D
)
2
;
E p⋅t*
where Ep = pipe modulus of elasticity
= 20 GN/m3 for concrete
= 200 GN/m3 for steel
t* = original thickness of pipe
D = internal pipe diameter

Pressure due to Water Hammer:

p h =ρ⋅c p⋅V   total pressure = ph + pstatic

Time of travel of pressure wave:

2L
t= ; L = length to reservoir or reflecting body
cp

Gradual closure of valve: tc (time of closure) > t

t 2 L⋅V⋅ρ
p 'h≈ ph=
tc tc
Surge Tanks:
y=ymax

y=0
y=y1
H.G.L.

L As

Friction Factor f, Diameter D

A
T

( )
f⋅A s

( )
2
2 2 g⋅A⋅D f⋅A s −
A⋅D
y
V = 1− y −C⋅e
L⋅A s⋅f
2
A⋅D

For a given design scheme, find ymax by:

1) Find C at y=y1 (steady state)
2) Solve for ymax at V=0.