Leak detection in complex pipeline systems is challenging due to complex wave reflections. This research proposes a new technique for leak detection in targeted pipe sections within complex water supply pipe systems using controlled hydraulic transient pressure waves. To ‘virtually isolate’ a targeted pipe section for independent analysis, a two-source-four-sensor transient testing configuration is used to extract the transfer matrix of the targeted pipe section, and it is independent of the system boundary conditions. The imaginary part of the difference between two elements in the transfer matrix is sensitive to leaks. The result should be zero if no leak is present, while a leak will introduce a sinusoidal pattern. An algorithm is developed to extract the leak information, which is applicable to multiple leaks. Two numerical case studies are conducted to validate the new leak detection technique. Case 1 is on a single pipe system with two leaks and deteriorated pipe sections, and pulse pressure waves are used as the excitation. Case 2 is on a simple pipe network with one leak, and pseudo-random binary signals are used as the excitation. The successful determination of the leak location and impedance validates the concept.

由于复杂的波反射，复杂管道系统中的泄漏检测具有挑战性。这项研究提出了一种新技术，该技术使用受控的液压瞬态压力波检测复杂供水管道系统中目标管道的泄漏。为了“虚拟隔离”目标管段以进行独立分析，使用了两源四传感器瞬态测试配置来提取目标管段的传递矩阵，并且与系统边界条件无关。传递矩阵中两个元素之差的虚部对泄漏敏感。如果不存在泄漏，则结果应为零，而泄漏将引入正弦波模式。开发了一种提取泄漏信息的算法，该算法适用于多次泄漏。进行了两个数值案例研究，以验证新的泄漏检测技术。情况1是在具有两个泄漏且管道截面变坏的单管道系统上，并且使用脉冲压力波作为激励。情况2位于具有一个泄漏的简单管道网络上，并且使用伪随机二进制信号作为激励。成功确定泄漏位置和阻抗可以验证这一概念。