About pressure waves and wave method analysis

When using InfoSurge, it is important to understand how pressure waves begin and how they travel through a water network.

Wave method analysis: the study of how waves are generated and how they interact with other parts of a water network as they propagate.

Wave characteristic method (WCM): computational technique for transient flow analysis used by InfoSurge—based on concept of pressure wave generation and propagation in pipe systems.

Many variables determine characteristics of a wave, including pipe friction.

Wave speed is predominantly based on pipe properties, such as material, diameter, and wall thickness.

When a wave reaches a boundary, such as a junction, the wave reflects and propagates to other parts of the network.

Generation of Pressure Waves:

Pressure waves originate from the source of a disturbance, including:

• Partial or full closing or opening of a valve
• Starting or shutting down a pump
• Pipe rupture
• Change in reservoir pressure
• Closing a check valve
• Opening a pressure relief valve

Pressure Wave Modification:

Pressure waves are modified by system discontinuities, such as:

• Components with head/flow characteristics, like valves and pumps
• Junctions
• Surge control components which inject or remove liquid

InfoSurge has built-in pipe wave speed calculators.

For more in-depth information about the equations that govern wave method analysis, visit the InfoSurge help pages on the Autodesk website.