Estimations of Safety Degree of Water Distribution System

The relatively weak pipe or area of water distribution can be estimated by calculating the probability of pipe break and thickness index. And safety degree of area in water distribution system can be estimated by thickness index which is introduced in this study. Thickness index is the ratio of estimated thickness of pipe and real used thickness of pipe. Thickness index can express the safety degree of each pipe or each area of water distribution system. In the present study, water hammer pressure which can be appear in two test beds of water distribution system is considered for the estimation of pipe thickness. Estimated thickness of pipe was used to estimate the thickness index of each area of water distribution system. Thickness index and probability of pipe break were estimated for a small block and water distribution system. From the results, it was found that thickness index and probability of pipe break can be used to determine the weakest link of water distribution system. And it can be used to determine the priority rank of pipe in water distribution system for the repair or replacement.