The influences of soil and nearby structures on dispersion characteristics of wave propagating along buried plastic pipes

13th International Conference on Motion and Vibration Control; 12th International Conference on Recent Advances in Structural Dynamics

Liu, Shuyong^1 ; Jiang, J.^2 ; Parr, Nicola^2

School of Naval Structural and Ocean Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China^1

School of Media and Arts Technology, Southampton Solent University, United Kingdom^2

关键词: Acoustic technology;    Building foundations;    Coupling characteristic;    Dispersion characteristics;    Distribution pipes;    Distribution systems;    International waters;    Water-filled pipes;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/744/1/012052/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/744/1/012052

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Water loss in distribution systems is a global problem for the water industry and governments. According to the international water supply association (IWSA), as a result of leaks from distribution pipes, 20% to 30% of water is lost while in transit from treatment plants to consumers. Although governments have tried to push the water industry to reduce the water leaks, a lot of experts have pointed out that a wide use of plastic pipes instead of metal pipes in recent years has caused difficulties in the detection of leaks using current acoustic technology. Leaks from plastic pipes are much quieter than traditional metal pipes and comparing to metal pipes the plastic pipes have very different coupling characteristics with soil, water and surrounding structures, such as other pipes, road surface and building foundations. The dispersion characteristics of wave propagating along buried plastic pipes are investigated in this paper using finite element and boundary element based models. Both empty and water- filled pipes were considered. Influences from nearby pipes and building foundations were carefully studied. The results showed that soil condition and nearby structures have significant influences on the dispersion characteristics of wave propagating along buried plastic pipes.