Modeling and simulation of PE100 pipe response under transient events caused by pump failure

In this work, the response of a PE100 pipe under transient events following pump failure is numerically investigated. The developed numerical model was based on the generalized Kelvin-Voigt model and the Vitkovsky et al. formulation. The method of characteristics (MOC) was used for numerical discretization. The relevance of an unsteady friction term in the pressure wave damping was analyzed. Pressure and circumferential stress responses indicated high rates in the pressure waves damping for the PE100 pipe. Through a parametric study, it was shown that the HDPE pipe may serve in damping and dispersing pressure waves without the need for additional protection devices.