Supplementary Material, Appendix D – D.8

APPENDIX D – Wave Speed

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Surge Analysis and the Wave Plan Method

Supplementary Material: Example Problems and Solutions

Appendix D – Problem 8

D.8 Pressure waves in metallic closed conduits (celerity ≈ 1000 m/s) move roughly 500 times faster relative to normal water speeds in those conduits. Celerity or wave speed values associated with these pressure waves plays an important role in unsteady closed conduit flow hydraulics.

Similar pressure waves are encountered in open channels and are commonly referred to as wave fronts; for example, a wave front resulting from sudden opening of a gate as shown in the following figure.

What is the relative speed of such wave fronts with respect to the normal open channel water flow velocities?


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