Gas pockets in a wastewater rising main: a case study.
This paper presents a case study of an existing wastewater rising main (WWRM) in which an extreme transient event produced by simultaneous power failure of the pumps caused the rupture of a 1.2 m (48 in) prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP), causing an important leakage of sewage. The event and the methodology followed in order to validate the diagnostics of the failure are described. The detail study included in situ observation of the system, experimental investigation in a setup, hydraulic analysis, as well as details of the structural strength of the WWRM. After the extensive investigation and several simulations of fluid transients for different scenarios and flow conditions, it was found that stationary small gas pockets accumulated at high points of the WWRM were identified as the principal contributory factor of the failure. This case study serves as clear warning of the consequences of operating a WWRM with gas pockets at its high points.
Microbial Ecology of Crown Corrosion in Sewers
Corrosion of sewer crowns is caused by sulfuric acid that is generated by a complex microbial ecosystem of several species that colonize exposed concrete. The microbial system is dominated by Thiobacillus thioxidans. This is a report of a study which investigated the characteristics of this system. The study involved monitoring surface pH and corrosion rates on new concrete in an experimental chamber exposed to sewer gases. After an initial period, corrosion-inducing microorganisms were well established. The corroding surfaces were flushed intermittently with sewage to determine whether this might serve as a control method. It was found that heavy and frequent flushing will be necessary to significantly reduce corrosion rates.
Damage initiation and propagation in composite shells subjected to impact
Abstract The paper investigates the impact-induced damage initiation and propagation for laminated composite shells under low-velocity impact. A three-dimensional eight-node non-conforming element is described to analyze interlaminar stress distribution, and progressive failure. The damage analysis is performed by using Tsai–Wu quadratic failure criterion, Tsai’s damage modes and an additional delamination formula at all Gaussian points. The damage modes considered are matrix cracking, fiber breakage and delamination. The progressive failure is expressed by reducing stiffness of the material at all failed Gaussian points. Special attention is centered on curved laminates. Impact energy threshold for the onset of damage and transient damage size are predicted for composite shells. The analyses of the flat and curved laminates are compared for discussing their different damage mechanism. In addition, the influence of the stacking sequence, the thickness and the radius of curvature on damage behavior of composite shells are studied.