WATER HAMMER

Rita Abdallah
Liliane Alameddine
Charbel Bassil
Houssam
Ghassan Dayaa
OUTLINE

■ Introduction
■ History
■ How it happens
■ Formulas and Equations
■ Effects and consequences
■ How to prevent it
■ Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

■ Water hammer occurs in any piping system

where valves are used to control the flow of
liquids or steam.
■ It is the result of a pressure surge or high-
pressure shockwave
■ This shockwave is also commonly referred to
as a hydraulic shock or hydraulic surge
 HISTORY
■ • Although it was foreshadowed by Thomas Young's work,
the hypothesis of water hammer is often credited to
German physiologist Johannes von Kries (1853–1928),
who was examining the pulse in blood vessels in 1883

■ Civil engineers, on the other hand, were completely

unaware of his results. The Russian fluid dynamicist
Nikolay Yegorovich Zhukov sky (1847–1921), the
American civil engineer Joseph Palmer Frizell (1832–
1910), and the Italian engineer Lorenzo allievi (1856–
1941) independently deduced Kries' conclusions in 1898,
1898, and 1902.
HOW IT HAPPENS
FORMULAS AND EQUATIONS

a=
• Where ∆𝑃 is change in pressure
• a= pressure wave velocity
• 𝜌 density
• 𝐶_𝑝 sonic velocity in the pipe (1496 m/s at 25°C in water)
• ∆𝑉 is change in liquid velocity
• 𝛽=liquid bulk modulus of elasticity
• E= elastic modulus of pipe wall
• D=pipe inside diameter
• b=pipe wall thickness
• This equation can be used only for rapid closure( t < 2L/𝐶_ 𝑝)
FORMULAS AND EQUATIONS
■ Water hammer equations for all conditions:
 Equation of motion


 Equation of continuity

■ These two are solved using method of characteristics.

EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES

■ Water hammer can have a variety of effects, from minor to severe.

■ The impact force on the valve can create pressure spikes that can exceed 5 to 10 times
the working pressure of the system.
EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES

The long-term effects of water hammer can

include:
■ Pump and Flow System Damage
■ Leaks
■ Ruptured Pipes
■ External property damage
■ Accidents
■ Downtime/ maintenance
 HOW TO PREVENT
■ IT
Surge Tank ■ Water Hammer Arrestor

■ Pressure Relieve Valve ■ Flywheel

CONCLUSION