- Author
-
Swaffield, J.
- Title
- Application of the Method of Characteristics to Predict Attenuation in Unsteady Partially-Filled Pipe Flow.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
Brunel Univ., Uxbridge, UK
- Sponsor
- Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NBSIR 82-2478,
March 1982,
88 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- H-48-78
- Keywords
-
pipes
|
computer models
|
unsteady flows
- Abstract
- The mechanism of flow attenuation in partially filled unsteady pipe flow is presented and shown to have relevance to the design of gravity drainage systems. The equations defining unsteady flow in partially filled pipe are derived and shown to be capable of solution by means of the method of characteristics. This technique as a method of predicting flow depth, velocity and wave speed along a long drainage pipe at a range of pipe gradient, diameter, and roughness coefficient was tested by means of numerical examples for a series of simulations run on a digital computer. Additionally, limited experimental verification of the analysis technique is presented for the supercritical flow response to a short duration inflow surge. Generally, the technique developed was found to be applicable to the design of drainage systems and further work is proposed to both extend the experimental verification and for the greater complexity of the multi-branched pipe system.