Numerical Simulation of the Waterhammer Equations Using the Method of Characteristics and Comparison Against Experiments

Abstract

This paper describes the development and application of a mathematical model and numerical solution method for the transient flow behaviour of a fluid in a system of pipes. The type of problem studied falls under classical waterhammer theory, and the solution technique is the method of characteristics. This method is applied in a computer program WHAM which was initially developed to model a series of waterhammer experiments simulatinc the rupture of a pressure tube within a CANDU nuclear reactor. The WHAM code was then modified considerably to model the acoustic response of a general piping network. Application of the WHAM code to various experiments is discussed.