Frequency-Domain Modeling of Transients in Pipe Networks with Compound Nodes Using a Laplace-Domain Admittance Matrix

Abstract

An alternative to modeling the transient behavior of pipeline systems in the time domain is to model these systems in the frequency domain using Laplace transform techniques. A limitation with traditional frequency-domain pipeline models is that they are only able to deal with systems of a limited class of configuration. Despite the development of a number of recent Laplace-domain network models for arbitrarily configured systems, the current formulations are designed for systems comprised only of pipes and simple node types such as reservoirs and junctions. This paper presents a significant generalization of existing network models by proposing a framework that allows not only complete flexibility with regard to the topological structure of a network, but also, encompasses nodes with dynamic components of a more general class (such as air vessels, valves, and capacitance elements). This generalization is achieved through a novel decomposition of the nodal dynamics for inclusion into a Laplace-domain network admittance matrix. A symbolic example is given demonstrating the development of the network admittance matrix and numerical examples are given comparing the proposed method to the method of characteristics for 11-pipe and 51-pipe networks. © 2010 ASCE.