Computer Simulation of Waterhammer Effects

This paper describes a computer program for simulating hydraulic transients (waterhammer) in closed conduits which is flexible enough to handle various hydraulic layouts. The various boundary conditions available include turbine installation, pumping station, valve houses, surge tanks, reservoirs, air chambers, junction or bifurcation points, including local discharge points. The output from the program gives a time history of pressure and flow at preselected points within the system. At the boundary conditions additional information such as the time history of water levels, spill rate, and spill at surge chambers is available. Information on turbo-machinery speed, discharge, and head for each machine is also available throughout the waterhammer study. Finally, a summary consisting of maximum and minimum head and discharge throughout the hydraulic system is printed. The program is based on the mmethod of characteristics.