Impact of metallic-plastic pipe configurations on transient pressure response in branched WDN

The study presented in this paper addresses the response of Metallic-Polymeric pipe configurations under water hammer events. The southern Tunisian water distribution network (WDN) is considered for the numerical studies. Hydraulic Transient in the branched WDN is initiated following an intermittent pump power stoppage. The numerical investigations were conducted using a viscoelastic model, which simulates the generated unsteady flows in closed conduits with different rheological behaviors. The method of Characteristics (MOC) with linear integration is used to solve the set of partial differential equations. A detailed analysis of the WDN response to a pump trip is first conducted. Three different Metallic-Polymeric pipe configurations were considered for the numerical study. The configurations are based on replacing the cast iron pipes located in the most sensitive regions where hydraulic transient is likely to occur with PE100 pipes. It is demonstrated that Metallic-Plastic pipe configurations have a different impact on the pressure response.