Dynamic Pipe Stresses During Water Hammer: III — Complex Stress Relationships

Complex three-dimensional dynamic stresses occur in a pipe following a water hammer event. Equations from vibration theory were adapted for use to describe the dynamic stresses at any point along the pipe wall. Hoop, radial, and axial dynamic stress equations are presented to approximate the stresses at a point on the pipe wall. Dynamic stress equations for beams and other simple shapes are also considered. The dynamic pipe stresses are affected principally by the types of water hammer waves or fluid transients, by the wave impacts at elbows or tees, and by the reflections of the waves from these elbows or tees. The three fluid transients considered are a moving step pressure wave, a ramp pressure, and a moving pressure spike. Approximate techniques are presented for evaluating the effects on piping due to the impingement of these transients on an elbow. For an equivalent pressure in a long pipe, application of the step pressure created the largest stress increases of the three transients considered. The vibration equations also prompt a solution to reduce water hammer effects. To this end, slow closing valves are frequently employed. Vibration theory may be applied to quantify the stress reductions afforded by these valves. Pipe stress equations may be manipulated to reduce pipe stresses for a linearly increasing, or ramp, pressure wave traveling along the pipe.