Design Experiment

COMPARISON OF MANUAL AND AUTOMATED READING OF WATER HAMMER

8.1. Student Outcomes (SOs) Addressed by the Activity

SO d, Interpret data results and relate to the difference of the two other methods
aforementioned.
SO i, Function effectively as a group and to share and gain knowledge in the design
experiment.

8.2. Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity the student shall be able to:
a) Demonstrate the two setups for manual and automated reading of effects of water
hammer.
b) Identify the discrepancy of the two methods of reading the effects of water hammer.
c) Discuss the factors affecting each reading.

8.3. Objective/s of the Activity

The aim of this design experiment is to relate the discrepancy of the two methods of reading
which are manually and automated. Furthermore, it aims to know the effects in the reading
(pressure and flow discharge) of water hammer using the equipment involved in the experiment.

8.4. Principle of the Activity

Water hammers can cause severe damage to piping, fittings, and system components as it
abruptly change its speed because of the sudden closure of a valve. Water hammer commonly
occurs when a certain valve within the pipeline is suddenly closed and the fluid in motion is
forced to stop. Therefore, it is important to study the principle behind the water hammer as it
helps in designing pipework systems.

The device HM 155 Water Demonstrator is used to study water hammers and get the pressure
waves along a long pipeline. The long pipe which is 60 m long is shaped as coiled tube under
the working space so that it can save a space. In the experiment, water hammers are studied as
a function of the valve closing times. The data to be gathered are displayed in the application
used which is the GUNT software for engineers.

A valve is used to adjust the flow rate. A pressure gage is present to be able to record the
manual readings. The well-structured instructional equipment sets out the fundamentals and
provides a step by step guide through the design experiment.

For Rapid Closure (tc<tr)

∆𝑃 = 𝜌𝑉𝐶
For Instantaneous Closure (tc=0)
∆𝑃 = 𝜌𝑉𝐶
For Slow Closure (tc>tr)

2𝐿
∆𝑃 = 𝜌𝑉( )
𝑡𝑐

Theoretically, a shock wave would travel at a velocity as,

𝐸𝑣
𝑐′ = √
𝜌

Where :

c' = theoretical wave celerity

Ev= bulk modulus of elasticity of fluid

𝜌 = density of fluid

For confined space, the elasticity of the boundary must also be considered.

𝐸𝑣
𝑐=
√ 𝐸𝑣 𝑑
𝜌[1 + 𝑡𝐸 ]
𝑝

Where :

c = theoretical wave celerity

Ev= bulk modulus of elasticity of fluid

Ep= modulus of elasticity of confining boundary

d = diameter of the pipe

t = thickness of the pipe

𝜌 = density of fluid
8.5. Materials/Equipment
1 unit HM 155 Water Hammer Demonstrator
HM 155 Water Hammer Demonstrator Accessories
Power and Water Supply Supplies
Laptop
Slow Motion Camera Device

8.6. Procedures
Performing of the Activity

1. Switch on the water supply. Switch on the pump and connect the laptop to the water
hammer demonstator.

2. Adjust the valve for desired discharge in first trial.

3. Indicate on switch what kind of reading will be conducted.( Manual or Automated )

4. Open the GUNT software and click the close valve if the water hammer bench is set as
automated (for automated reading). And Press the red button to manually close the
valve if it is set as manual (for manual reading).

5. Repeat the steps two to four for the next nine more trials.
8.7. Activity Report
Course Code: CE411
Course Title: Hydraulics Engineering Design Experiment
Group No.: Section:
Group Members: Date Performed:
Date Submitted:
Instructor:

8.7.1. Data and Results

Tabulation of Data

AUTOMATED READING

TRIALS FLOW RATE (L/hr) PRESSURE (bar)

Trial 1 88 8.2
Trial 2 119 9.2
Trial 3 140 9.7
Trial 4 69 6.5
Trial 5 78 7.1
Trial 6 101 9.0
Trial 7 129 9.6
Trial 8 148 10.0
Trial 9 60 6.1
Trial 10 51 5.8

MANUAL READING

TRIALS FLOW RATE (L/hr) PRESSURE (bar)

Trial 1 80 6.4
Trial 2 100 6.7
Trial 3 120 8.3
Trial 4 60 5.8
Trial 5 70 6.2
Trial 6 90 7.2
Trial 7 110 7.5
Trial 8 130 9.0
Trial 9 50 5.8
Trial 10 45 5
8.7.2. Graph of Wave Propagation

AUTOMATED READING

TRIAL 1

TRIAL 2
TRIAL 3

TRIAL 4
TRIAL 5

TRIAL 6
TRIAL 7

TRIAL 8
TRIAL 9

TRIAL 10
MANUAL READING

TRIAL 1

TRIAL 2
TRIAL 3

TRIAL 4
TRIAL 5

TRIAL 6
TRIAL 7

TRIAL 8
TRIAL 9

TRIAL 10
8.7.3. Conclusion/s

In conducting our design experiment using the HM155 (Water hammer apparatus) we
have generalized that water hammer in pipes is a significant problem in engineering as they can
cause severe damage to piping, fittings and system components. Water hammer is caused by
the inertia effect of the flowing fluid being subjected to an abrupt change in velocity. On our
design experiment we choose to compare the difference in using the digital app (the app which
was developed by GUNT software engineers) in the laptop and by just looking at the meter
gauge manually using our phones to see the video in slow motion. Based on the data that we
have gathered we conclude that getting the data using just our smart phone features compared
to using software application have a small value of error. Also, the values that came from
automated reading have higher values as it increases the values of manual readings because it
is controlled by an application and it has a factor that increases the values of pressure and flow.
One advantage of using automated reading is that it also read the time of closure and reflective
time whereas one advantage of manual reading is that it gives more accurate data given that it
is correctly read and also a device should be used to get the pressure because it is impossible
to get the accurate data using naked eye.
It is seen in the recorded data that as flow rate increases, also the pressure increases.
Based on our observation, the limitation of manual reading is that it cannot exceed flow rate 130
L/hr because its pressure reading exceeds 9.0 bar which is the maximum reading in the
pressure gage. And as for the limitation of the automated reading, the flow rate should not be
less than 45 L/hr because the automated reading will appear zero.