Aging pipes and corrosion are typical causes of water distribution system failures. But other environmental issues, like thermal stress and ground movement, can also play a role. The economic, environmental, and social impacts of pipe failures make them important infrastructure to maintain. Actively analyzing failures and prioritizing maintenance will help engineers understand the type, size, and location of failures so that they can develop a realistic representation of distribution system leakages. A recent study in the Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice focuses on compiling a database of leakage types and dimensions using a maintenance contractor in Auckland, New Zealand.
In “Pilot Study of the Characteristics of Different Failure Types in Water Distribution System Pipes,” authors S. Beygi and J. E. van Zyl gathered initial data on the types and dimensions of repaired leaks. The study used a statistical modeling technique and developed a pipe failure prediction model based on actual failure patterns and accompanying photos. The authors analyzed data from 6 years of water pipe breaks in Auckland’s water network, which included a total of 4,000 events. They narrowed their data set by identifying 256 jobs with clear pictures to analyze. While they recommended further research, this initial methodology can help engineers to discern patterns of failure behavior in different pipe materials, particularly for water networks like Auckland’s. Learn more about their findings at https://doi.org/10.1061/JPSEA2.PSENG-1542. The abstract is below.
Abstract
Rapid urban, economic, and population growth has led to increased water demand and reduced availability. At the same time, the condition of water distribution systems has deteriorated, and water leakage has increased. Although previous research has developed models to simulate leaks in water distribution systems, these models do not consider the distribution of varying leak types and their distribution in different pipe materials, and little is known about this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the most effective pipe failure distribution for analyzing failure types in various pipe materials by using the maximum likelihood approach. The study used data on water pipe failures gathered from Auckland’s water network over six years (2017–2022) to accomplish its goal. The results show that the log-normal distribution is the best distribution for longitudinal, circumferential, and round holes, whereas the normal distribution is the best for blowout holes. Finally, the reported plus unreported failures were derived from the fitted distribution for estimated data. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the distribution of leak types and their occurrence in different pipe materials, which can help in developing effective leak management strategies. The discussion of the study highlights the limitations and implications of the research and suggests directions for future research to improve the accuracy of the models used to simulate leaks in water distribution systems. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the complex issue of water leakage and provides important information for water authorities and policymakers to develop effective strategies to minimize water loss and ensure a sustainable water supply.
Get a better sense of the patterns of failure in different pipe materials in the ASCE Library: https://doi.org/10.1061/JPSEA2.PSENG-1542.
