Investigating fluid-structure interaction and transient flow dynamics for enhanced pipeline fault detection

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate how fluid–structure interaction (FSI), along with unsteady friction, viscoelastic wall behavior, and potential column separation, affects transient pressure signals in pipelines and influences the accuracy of fault detection. Method: To achieve this, a controlled experimental pipeline loop was employed, and simulations were performed using the Method-of-Characteristics (MOC). The study examined the effects of FSI through Poisson and junction coupling, valve maneuvers, and both elastic and viscoelastic pipe models.Results: The results show that FSI systematically amplifies transient pressure fluctuations and can mimic the signatures of leaks or blockages. Sensor placement, valve-closure time, and axial support stiffness significantly influence the magnitude of FSI effects. Moreover, viscoelastic pipe models dissipate energy and attenuate oscillations, leading to better agreement with experimental measurements and enhanced system robustness. Conclusions: The study highlights that accurate transient-based fault detection requires explicit modeling of FSI and careful consideration of measurement layout, actuation timing, and structural support in the design of fault-detection systems to ensure reliability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pipeline Fault Detection ، Water Hammer ، viscoelastic pipe walls ، Unsteady friction ، poisson coupling ، junction coupling