Numerical Methods of Visco-elastic Segments on Water Hammer Pressures

Water hammer is a phenomenon accompanied by damage, vibration and noise. In order to deal with this phenomenon, different solutions have been proposed. Mechanical behavior of pipe material can significantly affect pressure responses of the pipe system during the transient flow. Utilizing viscoelastic pipe segments for attenuating the water hammer pressure may be considered as a damping mechanism alternate. The aim of this study is investigating the use of viscoelastic materials such as polyethylene in absorption of water hammer energy. The governing equations in this phenomenon are comprised of Continuity Equation and Momentum Equation. Discretization of the equations is done/performed by employing the Method of Characteristics (MOC). Verification of the developed numerical method is done/executed by comparing the results with the empirical results obtained from another study preformed earlier. The comparison between the results demonstrates that the numerically obtained results have acceptable accuracy. Also the effect of variations in the values of different parameters on decreasing the induced pressure is investigated. Numerous studies have been conducted on visco-elatic pipes; the innovation in this study however, is combining the use of visco-elastic and elastic material in the same pipe for cushioning the effects of water hammer.