Penstock and Surge-Tank Problems

The object of this paper is to give, in their best form, formulas for solving certain penstock and surge-tank problems, and to derive them from the fundamental principles on which they rest. In the case of ordinary water-hammer, for instance, for which every pipe should be investigated, there is no literature in English except certain incomplete translations from the Italian and Russian. Most of the formulas given in standard books are either limited in their application, incorrect, or contain typographical errors, making them useless. Their results differ by 100 per cent. It is with the object of clearing up such errors that this paper is presented.