11.

1 General formula The maximum potential pressure rise will then be generated by the
interaction of all possible shock waves. Valve closure in a period
The formula used to establish the wall thickness required to
greater than Tr reduces the maximum surge.
accommodate internal pressure is the Barlow formula (refer also to
Section 9.2): Surge estimate for rapid valve closure
t = PDo Joukowsky Method
2mall For the case of a steel pipeline of length L metres, undergoing
where instantaneous valve closure or a valve closure within the reflection
t = steel wall thickness mm period Tr seconds, the resulting pressure rise can be estimated by
Joukowsky's formula:
P = internal design pressure MPa
6h = av
Do = outside diameter of pipe mm
g m
mall = allowable hoop stress MPa or
6p = av
1000 MPa
11.2 Steel stress
where:
It is recommended that mall should not exceed 72% of the
L = length of pipeline m
minimum yield strength (MYS) of the steel, under hydrostatic or
Tr = reflection period = 2L/a s
steady state working pressure.
6h = head rise above normal operating head m
Where a detailed hydrodynamic analysis is carried out the effect of 6p = pressure rise above normal operating pressure MPa
transient surge pressures together with static pressure may be a = pressure wave velocity (celerity) m/s
taken to 90% of the minimum yield strength (MYS). = 1440
{ 1+ 1 d ( )}
0.5

100 t
11.3 Water hammer v = velocity of flow m/s
Water hammer is caused by a sudden change of flow velocity in a g = acceleration due to gravity =9.81 m/s2
pipeline, causing shock waves to travel upstream and downstream d = pipe internal diameter mm
from the point of origin. t = pipe wall thickness mm
The shock waves cause increases and decreases in pressure as Note: this formula applies to steel pipelines only.
they travel at the speed of sound through the fluid along the
Example
pipeline.
Consider a 610mm OD x 5mm thick- SK CML RRJ- pipeline,
Their reflection and interaction can lead to significant changes in 2 km in length with a normal operating head of 90m and a flow of
pressure above and below those prevailing in the static or steady 160 l/s. What is the maximum surge pressure that will occur if
state operation of the pipeline. sudden valve closure occurs.
Potential water hammer problems should be investigated at the
design stage. They are caused by events such as
OD, pipe outside diameter = 610 mm
• rapid valve closure t, steel wall thickness =5 mm
• sudden pump stoppage (eg power failure) T, cement mortar lining thickness = 12 mm
d, inside diameter of lined pipe = 576 mm
• improper operation of surge control devices

Gravity Mains
celerity a = 1440/{1+576/(100 x 5)}0.5 = 981.6 m/s
For gravity mains, water hammer effects arise commonly through
rapid valve closure.
Valve closure within the reflection period Tr will permit shock waves Determine flow velocity
of closure to be generated prior to the return of the first reflected v = Q/A
shock wave to the valve.

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