About pressure waves and wave method analysis

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

When using InfoSurge, it is important to understand how pressure waves begin and how they travel through a water network.

Wave method analysis: the study of how waves are generated and how they interact with other parts of a water network as they propagate.

Wave characteristic method (WCM): computational technique for transient flow analysis used by InfoSurge—based on concept of pressure wave generation and propagation in pipe systems.

A graphical representation of a pipe network used to demonstrate the concept of pressure wave generation and propagation.

Many variables determine characteristics of a wave, including pipe friction.

Wave speed is predominantly based on pipe properties, such as material, diameter, and wall thickness.

When a wave reaches a boundary, such as a junction, the wave reflects and propagates to other parts of the network.

Generation of Pressure Waves:

Pressure waves originate from the source of a disturbance, including:

  • Partial or full closing or opening of a valve
  • Starting or shutting down a pump
  • Pipe rupture
  • Change in reservoir pressure
  • Closing a check valve
  • Opening a pressure relief valve

An illustration of a pressure wave originating from a disturbance.

Pressure Wave Modification:

Pressure waves are modified by system discontinuities, such as:

  • Components with head/flow characteristics, like valves and pumps
  • Junctions
  • Surge control components which inject or remove liquid

InfoSurge has built-in pipe wave speed calculators.

For more in-depth information about the equations that govern wave method analysis, visit the InfoSurge help pages on the Autodesk website.