Response of water-filled thin-walled pipes to pressure pulses: experiments and analysis

Experiments are performed to verify modeling techniques used in fluid-structure interaction codes that predict the response of liquid-filled piping systems to strong pressure pulses. Pressure pulses having a 150-/mu/s rise time, a 2000-psi (13.8 MPa) magnitude, and a 3-ms duration are propagated into straight, water-filled Ni 200 pipes (3-in. (7.6-cm) O.D. 0.065-in. (0.165-cm) wall). Attenuation of the pressure pulse and the strain and deformation along the pipes are measured. The experiments are modeled in WHAM, a two-dimensional, finite-element, compressible fluid-structure interaction code. The experimental and analytical results are discussed in detail and are found to compare favorably. 6 refs