| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R13937/01 |
| Title: |
Detection of Water Leaks & Location of Buried Plastic Water Pipes |
| Principal Investigator: |
Brennan, Professor MJ |
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| Department: |
Inst of Sound and Vibration Research |
| Organisation: |
University of Southampton |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 July 2001 |
Ends: |
31 March 2005 |
Value (£): |
285,086
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Water leaks from underground pipe-work is of great concern because of decreasing water supplies due to changing rainfall patterns and deterioration or damage to the distribution system. This proposal is concerned with the location of leaks and buried plastic pipe infrastructure. Current techniques for locating both leaks and pipework are partially successful; sometimes they do not work, and the reasons for this are unclear. The aim of this research is to investigate the dynamical behaviour of fluid-filled buried plastic pipework so that the reasons why current approaches fail can be understood, which will lead to improvements in technology and practice. Without this understanding the technology simply cannot be substantially improved. Analytical models, which already exist in a crude form will be modified and refined to predict the propagation of acoustic energy along buried plastic pipes (with discontinuities, such as hydrants, branches and changes in cross-section and/or material) and radiation into the ground. An analytical and experimental investigation of the character of leak noise will also be undertaken so that a coupled model of the acoustic source and the system can be developed. This model is essential if the nature of leak noise propagation is to be fully understood. As well as investigating leakage from pipes, a theoretical and experimental study will be undertaken into the use of acoustic techniques to locate buried plastic pipes. The objective will be to excite the distribution system at a hydrant by an electrodynamic shaker and the pattern and strength of the acoustic radiation from the buried pipe-work will be used to locate it.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.soton.ac.uk |