A simple method using strain measurement on pipe outer surface to evaluate pressure pulsations in piping systems

Abstract

Accurate evaluation of occurrence location and amplitude of pressure pulsations in a piping system can lead to efficient plant maintenance to prevent fatigue failure of piping and components because the pulsations could be main causes of vibration fatigue and acoustic noise in piping. To measure pressure pulsations easily and directly, a method to combine strain measurement on outer surface of pipe with the formula for thick-walled cylinders was proposed. The experimental validation demonstrated the proposed method could measure amplitudes and behavior of pressure pulsations with a practical accuracy. Furthermore, the applicability of the formula for thin-walled cylinders was examined for various shaped pipes.

Keywords

• pressure pulsation
• on-site measurement
• strain measurement
• thick-walled cylinder formula
• piping vibration
• vibration fatigue
• acoustic resonace
• maintenance
• monitoring