Plumbing Water Hammer Wave Speed Calculator
Explicit Kortewegthin-elastic pipe pressure wave speed sqrt[K/(ρ(1+KDC/(Et)))], independent constraintfactorC, small strain matched single phase fluid; not water hammer surge pressure or safety. Actual independently matched units, regime, material/equipment and governing references; not a hydraulic code, safe pressure, water pot ability or operational approval.
Description
Pressure-wave speed in an elastic pipe depends on fluid compressibility and pipe compliance.
Pressure-wave speed in an elastic pipe depends on fluid compressibility and pipe compliance.1
A constraint factor represents independently established support conditions. The calculation and input requirements are explained below.
When to use Plumbing Water Hammer Wave Speed Calculator
Enter positive fluid bulk modulus, density, bore diameter, pipe elastic modulus and wall thickness, plus nonnegative constraint factor.
How to use Plumbing Water Hammer Wave Speed Calculator and how it works
- Prepare the measurements or independently established model inputs described below, with matching units and observation scope.
- Enter the required fields and run Plumbing Water Hammer Wave Speed Calculator.
- Read the result fields using the formula, output units, signs and ordering explained below.
- Correct any rejected inputs and rerun; interpret the result within the stated model and its assumptions.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| callerFluidBulkModulusPascals | Caller Fluid Bulk Modulus Pascals. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
| callerFluidDensityKgPerCubicMeter | Caller Fluid Density Kg Per Cubic Meter. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
| actualPipeInnerDiameterMeters | Actual Pipe Inner Diameter Meters. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
| callerIndependentPipeConstraintFactor | Caller Independent Pipe Constraint Factor. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; nonnegative; finite; other constraints below |
| callerPipeElasticModulusPascals | Caller Pipe Elastic Modulus Pascals. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
| actualWallThicknessMeters | Actual Wall Thickness Meters. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
Enter positive fluid bulk modulus, density, bore diameter, pipe elastic modulus and wall thickness, plus nonnegative constraint factor. Require thickness/bore<=0.1. Apply the declared thin-elastic-pipe Korteweg branch and return m/s. Surge pressure and safety are not determined.
waveSpeed=sqrt(K/(rho*(1+K*D*C/(E*t)))) Apply the input ordering, units and branch conditions stated above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| result | Object containing the calculated or selected fields below. | object |
| result.value | Numeric result under the formula and output units explained above. | number |
{
"input": {
"callerFluidBulkModulusPascals": 4,
"callerFluidDensityKgPerCubicMeter": 1,
"actualPipeInnerDiameterMeters": 1,
"callerIndependentPipeConstraintFactor": 0.25,
"callerPipeElasticModulusPascals": 10,
"actualWallThicknessMeters": 0.1
},
"output": {
"result": {
"value": 1.4142135623730951
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The calculation uses the supplied observations and model inputs. It does not collect measurements, select a reference population or coefficient, or establish that the model applies to the actual case. The stated branch conditions and output units remain part of the result.
All fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, wrong types, nonfinite numbers and sparse arrays are rejected. Alignment, bounds and supported-token rules are explained above; extremely large inputs or nonfinite results can also fail. Input errors differ from successful false comparisons, unavailable-domain flags and empty match lists.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Plumbing Pipe Burst Pressure Barlow Calculator for a complementary operation: Barlow's nominal burst estimate relates wall stress, thickness and outside diameter.
Use Plumbing Pipe Allowable Pressure Calculator for a complementary operation: Allowable pipe pressure depends on a governing standard and material conditions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Plumbing Pipe Burst Pressure Barlow Calculator
Barlow's nominal burst estimate relates wall stress, thickness and outside diameter.
- Plumbing Pipe Allowable Pressure Calculator
Allowable pipe pressure depends on a governing standard and material conditions.