1D, 2D axisymmetric and 3D numerical simulation of valve-induced water-hammer
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In the present research, a numerical investigation of the classical water hammer problem induced by rapid valve closure in a reservoir-pipe-valve system is carried out. Multiple modeling approaches with different levels of spatial fidelity are developed, including a 1D Method of Characteristics (MoC) model with a convolution based unsteady friction formulation, as well as 2D axisymmetric and 3D methods based on the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The full 3D solver is implemented in OpenFOAM open-source library and the Ansys Fluent commercial software, whereas the 2D axisymmetric is carried out solely in OpenFOAM. Since no 3D physics are explicitly applied to the solution domain, the 3D results remain basically 2D axisymmetric (no significant circumferential gradient is observed). The pressure responses obtained from the numerical models are compared with experimental results at the valve section. The improvement in prediction accuracy associated with increasing spatial fidelity is evaluated, and a detailed analysis of numerical dissipation and dispersion in all models is conducted. This study also investigates the effect of mesh resolution, particularly in the radial direction, time-step selection, and turbulence models on the prediction of pressure attenuation.
DOI: 10.24423/aom.4915
Authors: Alavi, A., Urbanowicz, K.
Institution: West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7203475769