COMPARISON OF MEASURED AND NUMERICAL RESULTS FOR UNSTEADY FLUID FLOW AT WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The water supply system Studencica was built as a complete steel pipeline that provides water to the settlements of Kicevo, Makedonski Brod and Prilep. It is in operation for more than 40 years. Test measurements are made to determine the stability and the service life of the pipeline. In addition to the NDT inspection, dynamic load tests are performed with a semi-generated hydraulic shock, through rapid changes of the flow in parts of the system. Before the site testing on transient conditions, numerical calculations of the transient conditions are done with intention to predict an allowable increase of pressure into sections of pipeline. The results of the performed numerical calculations and the results of the site measurements are given in this paper. In the part for estimating the stability of the system, a method by measuring the strain-stress deformation at pipe wall was applied. Based on comparison of the hydraulic conditions and deformation of pipe wall in transient flow condition, an assessment is given for the exploitation life of the pipeline. Experiences given in this paper may indicate the idea of testing and estimating pipelines condition and service life for pipelines which are in operation for a long time.