ANALYSIS OF SLOW TRANSIENTS IN PIPE NETWORKS

Rigid water column theory is applied lo analyze slow transients in hydraulic network systems. Loop formulation results in a system of ordinary differential equations of the first order for the pipe Row rates and water surface elevations in tanks. The standard Runge-Kutta method of order four is used to integrate the system of differential equations. To compare the transient analysis based on the rigid column and elastic theories, waterharnmer calculations are performed using the method of characteristics. Comparisons are made for transients caused by closure of a valve using different values of the valve closure time.