WATER HAMMER

What is Water Hammer?

A water hammer commonly

Water hammer is a pressure occurs when a valve closes
surge or wave resulting when a suddenly at an end of a pipeline
fluid in motion is forced to stop system, and a pressure wave
or change the velocity propagates in the pipe. It is also
called hydraulic shock.
REASONS OF WATER HAMMER
IMMATURE
OPERATION
OF VAVLES

RAPID
POWER
FAILURE REASONS DEMAND
VARIATION

SUDDEN
START/STOP
OF PUMP
Bernoulli's equation

• Bernoulli's equation relates the pressure,

speed, and height of any two points (1 and
2) in a steady streamline flowing fluid of
density ρ(rho). Bernoulli's equation is
usually written as follows,
Water Hammer Causes and Effects

• The sudden change of pressure due to a valve closure may be viewed as the result of the force developed
in the pipe necessary to stop the flowing water column. The column has a total mass M and is changing its
velocity at the rate of dV/dt.According to Newton’s second law of motion,
F= m X dV/dt = mass X acceleration
• If the velocity of the entire water column could be reduced to zero instantly
F= m X (Vo-0)/ 0 = (m X Vo)/ 0 = ∞
• The resulting force (hence, pressure) would be infinite. Fortunately, such an instantaneous change is
almost impossible because a mechanical valve requires a certain amount of time to complete a closure
operation. In addition, neither the pipe walls nor the water column involved are perfectly rigid under large
pressure. The elasticity of both the pipe walls and the water column play very important roles in the water
hammer phenomenon.
Water Hammer Causes and Effects
Calculation of Water Hammer

• How to calculate the time of closing the valve to avoid water hammer:
1. Time of closing the valve , suddenly (high pressure ) or gradually ( pressure is less)
2. Velocity of flow in the which always should be less than 3 m/s , optimum 1.5 m/s
3. Length of the pipe, the shorter the pipe the higher possibility of water hammer
4. Elastic property of the pipe material and fluid elasticity
5. The speed of pressure wave

• The time depends on :

A. The pipe length
B. The speed of pressure wave
C. Positive and negative pressure waves

• When the fluid flows in the pipe, if the valve close suddenly and stop the flow, the kinetic energy will be
changed into elastic resilience and create a serial positive and negative pressure wave vibrating back and forth in
the pipe until the energy lost by friction.
• Liquid at valve stops, the kinetic energy of water it converts into potential, pressure here increases in ∆p or ∆h
 • 1- For t = 0, the pressure profile is steady, which is
shown by the pressure head curve running
horizontally because of the assumed lack of friction.
Under steady-state conditions, the flow velocity is
Propagation Vo.

of water
hammer
pressure
wave
Propagation of water hammer pressure wave

• 2- The sudden closure of the gate valve at

the downstream end of the pipeline
causes a pulse of high pressure ∆h; and
the pipe wall is stretched. The pressure
wave generated runs in the opposite
direction to the steady-state direction of
the flow at the speed of sound and is
accompanied by a reduction of the flow
velocity to v = 0 in the high pressure
zone. The process takes place in a period
of time 0 < t <1/2 Tr, where Tr is the
amount of time needed by the pressure
wave to travel up and down the entire
length of the pipeline. The important
parameter Tr is the reflection time of the
pipe. It has a value of 2L/a
Propagation of water hammer pressure wave

• 3- At t = 1/2Tr the pressure

wave has arrived at the
reservoir. As the reservoir
pressure p = constant, there is
an unbalanced condition at this
point. With a change of sign,
the pressure wave is reflected
in the opposite direction. The
flow velocity changes sign and
is now headed in the direction
of the reservoir.
Propagation of water hammer pressure wave

• 4- A relief wave with a head

of ∆h travels downstream
towards the gate valve and
reaches it at a time t = Tr. It is
accompanied by a change of
velocity to the value ∆v0.
Propagation of water hammer pressure wave

• 5- Upon arrival at the closed

gate valve, the velocity
changes from -v0 to v = 0.
This causes a sudden
negative change in pressure
of ∆h.
Propagation of water hammer pressure wave

• 6- The low pressure wave ∆h

travels upstream to the
reservoir in a time Tr< t
<3/2Tr, and at the same time,
v adopts the value v = 0.
Propagation of water hammer pressure wave
Analysis of Water Hammer Phenomenon

The magnitude of water hammer depend on :

1- Time of closing the valve , suddenly (high pressure ) or gradually ( pressure is less)
2- Velocity of flow in the which always should be less than 3 m/s , optimum 1.5 m/s
3- Length of the pipe, the shorter the pipe the higher possibility of water hammer
4- Elastic property of the pipe material and fluid elasticity
5- The speed of pressure wave
Analysis of Water Hammer Phenomenon

• The time required for the pressure wave to travel

from the valve to the reservoir and back to the valve
is:
• t= 2L/C
• Where:
• L = length of the pipe (m)
• C = speed of pressure wave, celerity (m/sec)
• If the valve time of closure tc :
• If tc › 2L/C the closure is considered gradual

• If tc ≤ 2L/C the closure is considered sudden

Analysis of Water Hammer Phenomenon

The speed of pressure wave

“C” depends on :
1- The pipe wall material.
2- The properties of the fluid.
3- The anchorage method of
the pipe.
Analysis of Water Hammer Phenomenon

Where:
➢ C = velocity (celerity) of pressure wave due to water hammer.
➢ ρ = water density ( 1000 kg/m3 ).
➢ Eb = bulk modulus of water ( 2.1 x e9 N/m2 ).
➢ Ec = effective bulk modulus of water in elastic pipe.
➢ Ep = Modulus of elasticity of the pipe material.
➢ e = thickness of pipe wall.
➢ D = diameter of pipe.
➢ K = factor depends on the connection and fixation of the pipe anchorage method, value is 1.0 (pipe is
supported at one end)
Analysis of Water Hammer Phenomenon

If the longitudinal stress in a

pipe can be neglected, k = 1.0,
and equation can be simplified
How to Avoid Water Hammer

The following characteristics may reduce or eliminate water hammer:

➢ Low fluid velocities: To keep water hammer low, pipe-sizing charts for some applications recommend flow velocity at or below 5 ft/s (1.5 m/s).
➢ Slowly closing valves
➢ High pipeline pressure rating (expensive)
➢ Good pipeline control (start-up and shut-down procedures)
➢ Air vessels work in much the same way as water towers but are pressurized. They typically have an air cushion above the fluid level in the vessel, which may be
regulated or separated by a bladder. Sizes of air vessels may be up to hundreds of cubic meters on large pipelines. They come in many shapes, sizes and
configurations. Such vessels often are called accumulators or expansion tanks.
➢ A hydropneumaticdevice similar in principle to a shock absorber called a 'Water Hammer Arrestor' can be installed between the water pipe and the machine which
will absorb the shock and stop the banging
➢ Shorter branch pipe lengths
➢ Shorter lengths of straight pipe, i.e. add elbows, expansion loops. Water hammer is related to the speed of sound in the fluid, and elbows reduce the influences of
pressure waves.
➢ With looped piping; lower velocity flows from both sides of a loop can serve a branch.
➢ Flywheel on pump
➢ Pumping station bypass
➢ Hydroelectric power plants must be carefully designed and maintained because the water hammer can cause water pipes to fail catastrophically
Introduction to SURGE TANK

• Air vessels, also known as closed surge tanks, are effective in protecting
the distribution system against negative as well as positive pressures
and are widely used in water distribution systems. Air vessels are
expensive, and their size used in practice varies from a few tens of cubic
feet to few thousand cubic feet. A 1500ft3 bladder surge tank, which is
a more advanced form of a general air vessel, could cost nearly
$50,000. Optimal sizing of air vessels thus becomes an important task
of transient modeling and protection design studies. Typical
arrangement of an air vessel, shown in beside Figure , consists of three
components
1) the vessel
2) the connector pipe
3) inlet and outlet orifices controlling flow to and from air vessel.
Introduction to SURGE TANK

• If the pumping system is not controlled or protected,

contamination and damage to equipment and the
pipeline itself can be serious. The effects of surges can
be as minor as loosening of pipe joints to as severe as
damage to pumps, valves, and concrete structures.
Damaged pipe joints and vacuum conditions can cause
contamination to the system from ground water and
backflow situations. Uncontrolled surges can be
catastrophic as well. Line breaks can cause flooding
and line shifting can cause damage to supports and
even concrete piers and vaults. Losses can be in the
millions of dollars, so it is essential that surges be
understood and controlled with the proper equipment.
Solved Examples

• A- Consider a long pipe AB as shown in beside connected at

one end to a tank containing water at a height of H from the
center of the pipe. At the other end of the pipe, a valve to
regulate the flow of water is provided. When the valve is
completely open, the water is flowing with a velocity, V in the
pipe. If now the valve is suddenly closed, the momentum of the
flowing water will be destroyed and consequently a wave of
high pressure will be set up. This wave of high pressure will be
transmitted along the pipe with a velocity equal to the velocity
of sound wave and may create noise called knocking. Also the
wave of high pressure has the effect of hammering action on
the walls of the pipe and hence it is also known as water
hammer.
• The pressure rise due to water hammer depends upon : (i) the
velocity of flow of water in pipe, (ii) the length of pipe, (iii) time
taken to close the valve, (iv) elastic properties of the material of
the pipe.
Solved Examples

Sudden Closure of Valve and Pipe is Elastic

• Consider the pipe AB in which water is flowing as shown in figure. Let the thickness 't' of the pipe wall is small compared to
the diameter D of the pipe and let the pipe is elastic.
• Let E = Modulus of Elasticity of the pipe material,
• 1/𝑚 = Poisson's ratio for pipe material, it is around 1/4
• p = Increase of pressure due to water hammer,
• t= Thickness of the pipe wall,
• D = Diameter of the pipe.
• When the valve is closed suddenly, a wave of high pressure of intensity p will be produced in the water. Due to this high-
pressure p, circumferential and longitudinal stresses in the pipe wall will be produced.
• Let ƒ𝑡 = Longitudinal stress in pipe
• ƒ𝑐 = Circumferential stress in pipe,
• The magnitude of these stresses are given as
Solved Examples

• Now from the knowledge of strength of material we know strain energy stored in pipe material per unit volume

• Strain energy stored in pipe material per unit volume

Solved Examples

• Total volume of pipe material = 𝜋D x t x L

• Total strain energy stored in pipe material = Strain energy per unit volume x total volume

• Now loss of kinetic energy of water

Solved Examples

• Gain of strain energy of water

• Then, loss of kinetic energy of water = Gain of strain energy in water + Strain energy stored in pipe
material

divided by AL
Solved Examples

• Problem Description: The water is flowing with a velocity of 1.5 m/s in a pipe of length 2500 m and of diameter 500 mm. At the
end of the pipe, a valve is provided. Find the rise in pressure if the valve is closed in 2 seconds. Take the value of C= 1400 m/s.
The thickness of the pipe is 10 mm and the valve is suddenly closed at the end of the pipe, find the rise in pressure if the pipe is
considered to be elastic. Take E = 19.62 e10 N/𝑚2 for pipe material and K = 19.62 e 4 N/𝑐𝑚2 for water. Calculate the
circumferential stress and longitudinal stress developed in the pipe wall.

• Solution Given:
• Velocity of water, V = 1.5 m/s
• Length of pipe, L = 2500 m
• Diameter of pipe, D = 500 mm = 0.5 m
• Time to close the valve, T= 2 seconds
• Thickness of pipe, t = 10 mm = 0.01 m
• The ratio : 2L/C = 2 X 2500 / 1460 = 3.57 Modulus of elasticity , E = 19.62 x e10 N/𝑚2
• Bulk modulus, K = 19.62 x e4 N/𝑐𝑚2 = 19.62 x e8 N/𝑚2
Solved Examples

From equation if T < 2𝐿/𝐶, valve is closed suddenly, For sudden closure of valve for an elastic pipe, the rise in
pressure is given by equation as :

• Circumferential stress ( F𝑐) is given by =P X D / 2t =171.55 X 0.5 / 2 X 0.1 = 428.9 N/cm2

• Longitudinal stress ( Ft) is given by = P X D / 4t =171.55 X 0.5 / 4 X 0.1 = 214.45 N/cm2
• Force = P x Ai = 171.55 x (3.14 x 50 x 50) / 4 = 336666.9 N
 Fluid Mechanics with Engineering Applications by
Joseph B Franzini & E John Finnemore, The McGraw Hill
Companies, 1997

Fluid Mechanics by Victor L Streeter, E Benjamin Wylie

and Keith W Bedford, The McGraw Hill Companies,
2010 reprint

KSB Know how, Vol 1 Water hammer, KSB

References Aktiengesellschaft, Johann-Klein-Straße 9,67227
Frankenthal

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_hammer

Water Hammer Practical Solutions by B.B Sharp & D.B

Sharp.