INSIDIOUS HYDRAULIC CONDITIONS IN STEEL PENSTOCK SIPHON PIPELINE

AUTHOR(S) / AUTOR(I): Valentino Stojkovski, Marjan Gavriloski, Aleksandar Levkoski, Filip Stojkovski

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/EEP25.256S

ABSTRACT / SAŽETAK:

Siphon systems, as critical elements of pressurized water distribution networks, are implemented wherever the hydraulic conveyance path is engineered to bypass or reduce the natural flow path. While highly efficient and widely applicable, such systems introduce complex and often concealed hydraulic conditions that require careful consideration during design and operation. In this study, a numerical model of a full-scale pressure siphon pipeline with a curved alignment was developed and the hydraulic behavior was evaluated through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Field inspections revealed material degradation and wall thinning within the pipeline after prolonged service under operational loads. By integrating wall-thickness measurements with visual assessment of damage morphology, the investigation characterizes the observed wear mechanisms and patterns. The CFD model correlates these wear patterns with flow-induced phenomena inherent to the siphon’s configuration, thereby clarifying the underlying cause of the observed deterioration. The insights gained from this research provide a design-oriented framework for mitigating damage in large-scale siphonic pipeline segments and offer guidance for future planning, modeling, and maintenance strategies in pressurized water distribution systems.