Author(s)

M. Iwanek, D. Kowalski, B. Kowalska, E. Hawryluk & K. Kondraciuk

Abstract

Breakages and damage of pipes in a water network are ordinary challenges for corporations managing distribution systems. The problems of detection and evaluation of a range of leakages have been reported in many publications, but in scientific literature there are relatively few studies on the zones of water leakages caused by the pipe breakages. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the distance between the site of breakage and the place of the water effluence on the ground surface. The investigations were conducted in the laboratory, on the stand reflecting natural conditions scaled 1:10. Design of the stand was preceded by the dimensional analysis. There were two variable parameters in the investigations: a pipe dimension and a pressure head in the pipe. During the experiment the pipe under internal water pressure was intentionally damaged causing the leakage and next, the place of the water effluence on the ground surface was localized. The effluence rarely occurred directly over the site of the leakage. The obtained results of the investigations enabled us to determine the secure distance between pipes of a water system and buildings or other infrastructure objects. It is important for the stability of infrastructure objects – a large number of disasters caused by water undermining foundations were reported in the literature. The authors are going to continue the investigations for in-situ conditions and to elaborate the numerical model of the analyzed problem. Keywords: water supply, leakage, protection zone, damaged pipe, laboratory simulation.

Keywords

water supply, leakage, protection zone, damaged pipe, laboratory simulation.