The authors compared two numerical methods,
one Eulerian-based, the other Lagrangian-based, for
modeling hydraulic transients in water distribution
systems. The method of characteristics (MOC), considered
to be the most accurate of the Eulerian methods
in its representation of the governing equations,
requires a number of steps or calculations to solve a
typical transient pipe flow problem. The wave characteristic
method (WCM), a Lagrangian approach,
tracks movement and transformation of pressure
waves and computes new conditions either at fixed
intervals or only at times when a change actually
occurs. The WCM requires orders of magnitude fewer
pressure and flow calculations, allowing large systems
to be solved in an expeditious manner. Furthermore,
because the method is continuous in both time and
space, it is less sensitive to the structure of the network
and to the length of the simulation process, resulting
in improved computational efficiency.
Results indicated that both the MOC and WCM
provide fast and accurate results for small pipe systems
of short duration transients. However, WCM was
superior for transient analysis of large distribution
systems because it yields accurate results in a fraction
of the computational time required for MOC.
Pressure transients can adversely affect the quality
of treated water because of potential intrusion by
pathogens associated with transient events. Accurate
modeling studies can help utility managers determine
adequate surge protection, strengthen the integrity of
their systems, and minimize costly disruptions to service. Includes 24 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 97 - No. 7 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 780 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 12 |
| Published : | 07/01/2005 |
