Pipe Burst Risk Assessment Using Transient Analysis in Surge 2000

Transients can introduce large pressure forces and rapid fluid accelerations in to a water distribution system. These disturbances may result in pump and device failures, system fatigue and pipe ruptures or bursts and even the intrusion of dirty water. Proper analysis of transient and risk factors of existing networks helps in the formulation of low-cost, long-range non-destructive pipe condition assessment. In this study, risk assessment of pipe network is carried out using Surge 2000. Water supply network of Adat panchayat of Thrissur district in Kerala is selected for this study, as the possibility of transients exists in the area due to its undulating topography. Digital pipe network is created in ArcMap 10 by compiling data collected from GIS, available construction drawing, and report. It is then imported to Surge 2000 and modelled for steady and transient state. Transient analyses of the system were carried out for the worst cases like pump trip/shut down and valve operations by using Surge 2000, which is based on wave characteristic method. The pipe burst risk factors for maximum pressure; minimum pressure and transient force were also formulated. The control measures were suggested with the help of Surge 2000 and found that the risks of the system failures were mitigated by the application of control measures. This study helps to estimate the approximate number of the pipe which are out of service, and can easily formulate a pipe network maintenance plan in advance to avoid the occurrence of burst pipes.