Water hammer in a pipe network due to a fast valve closure

Abstract

Water hammer in pipe networks is a subject little discussed in the technical literature. This may be due to the belief that the network shape helps to reduce its impact, since the pressure waves would tend to subdivide as they propagate through the system pipes. In this article the water hammer is analysed in a pipe network due to the closure of a valve modelled how if it were of type butterfly, gate circular, gate square, ball, needle and globe. It is concluded that the extreme pressure values depend on the type of valve which it is being closed, and that the network shape is not a relevant factor that it helps to attenuate the transient pressures.