Framework for Forensic Investigation of Associations between Operational States and Pipe Failures in Water Distribution Systems
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142, Issue 3
Abstract
Water distribution systems throughout the world are deteriorating in part due to corrosion of cast iron pipes. Developing a deeper understanding of the operational association with failure may lead to operational improvements extending asset life. Operations engineers can be expected to develop credible theories of pipe failure based on their experience dealing with failures in the field. However, these failure theories can be more rigorously tested by a systemwide investigation of a large number of pipe failures. A forensic framework was developed to investigate how system operations are associated with large-diameter trunk-main failures. The framework utilizes a pipe failure database and historical supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data to analyze trunk-main failures. Using the framework, about 141 large-diameter () trunk-main failures were investigated in the Lake Zone in Newcastle, Australia. A predominant system failure mode called pump off peak (POP) was identified that accounted for approximately 38% of the failures. POP was characterized by an increasing static pressure in low demand periods with limited pressure relief from downstream reservoirs.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Critical Pipes Project for financial assistance and Professor Rob Melchers for his valuable input. The authors thank Hunter Water Corporation (HWC) for the use of its SCADA system and pipe failure database and HWC staff, Dr. Brendan Berghout, Ian Hiles, and Stuart Horvath. The authors also thank Dr. Brian Williams for his valuable feedback regarding the forensic framework.
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Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 142 • Issue 3 • March 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 13, 2015
Accepted: Oct 9, 2015
Published online: Dec 22, 2015
Published in print: Mar 1, 2016
Discussion open until: May 22, 2016
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