A comparison between wave-propagation based-models and finite element models on the investigation of problems involving leak detection by using vibro-acoustic tools

• Grant number: 18/10625-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanics of Solids
• Principal Investigator: Fabrício César Lobato de Almeida
• Grantee: Sarah Souza e Silva Carnevalli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The scarcity of water and the high distance between large urban centers, and water resources areas put water treatment companies under great pressure to reduce actual water losses in buried pipe networks. To avoid excessive waste of water losses in pipes, vibro-acoustic techniques are generally used to detect leaks. However, such techniques require relatively complex signal processing where the signal delay estimation between two sensors, generally located on either side of the leak, is performed by using cross-correlation functions between two leak signals. Moreover, wave propagation models are generally used to investigate such problem. However, numerical tools, such as finite elements, are of great importance to validate wave propagation models, which usually have simplifications to help solving mathematical equations in order to give a physical insight into the problem. Hence, this work aims to compare these two models to investigate problems involving detection of leaks in buried water plastic pipes. Moreover, simulated signals obtained from each model will then be processed via cross-correlation and cross-spectral density functions to estimate the time delay, which is known in the simulations (controlled conditions). In this way a virtual environment for analysis, interpretation and training will be developed, which is an area which is not well explored in the country.