Water Hammer and Surge Analysis: Designing Resilient Water Networks

Pressure transients remain one of the most misunderstood and underestimated risks in water infrastructure design. While steady-state hydraulic models are routinely used to size pipelines and assess network performance, many systems remain vulnerable to surge events caused by pump failures, power outages, valve operations, and rapid changes in flow conditions. When not adequately considered during design, these transient pressures can lead to pipeline failures, asset damage, service interruptions, operational inefficiencies, and significant lifecycle costs.

As water networks become more complex and critical infrastructure operators seek to improve resilience, engineers are increasingly expected to understand how transient conditions influence network performance. Effective surge management requires more than simply adding protection devices; it requires a detailed understanding of system hydraulics, operational scenarios, network controls, and asset interactions.

This session examines the practical application of surge analysis in water infrastructure projects. The webinar explores transient hydraulic behaviour, modelling methodologies, common surge protection strategies, and lessons learned from real-world projects. Participants will gain practical insight into identifying surge risks, interpreting modelling outputs, and designing more resilient water transmission and distribution systems.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Fundamentals of transient hydraulics
• Water hammer and pressure surge mechanisms
• Pump trips and power failure events
• Valve operations and transient behaviour
• Surge modelling methodologies
• Interpreting transient analysis results
• Air valves, surge vessels, and protection systems
• Pipeline material considerations and surge response
• Transmission main design challenges
• Operational controls and network resilience
• Common design mistakes and failure mechanisms
• Case studies from large-scale water infrastructure projects