Review: Prediction of Unexpected Fluid-Induced Vibration in Pipeline Network

Abstract

This review considers unexpected destructive disasters involving fluid power plants, such as nuclear electric power plants and fluid power plants. It specifically addresses the possibility of fluid vibration induced in a pipeline network of such a plant. The authors investigate the flow oscillation induced within a T-junction for laminar steady flow at a Reynolds number less than 103 and clarify that there is a periodic fluid oscillation with a constant Strouhal number independent of several flow conditions. Generally, a nuclear electric power plant is constructed using straight pipes, elbows, and T-junctions. Indeed, a T-Junction is a basic fluid element of a pipeline network. The flow in a fluid power plant is turbulent. There are peculiar flow phenomena that occur at high Reynolds numbers, which are also seen in other flow situations; e.g., Kaman vortices are observed around a circular cylinder in low Reynolds numbers, around structures like bridges and downstream of islands in oceans. Although the flow situation of a T-junction and elbow in a fluid power plant, such as the fluid suddenly changing its flow direction is turbulent flow, the authors mention the possibility of the fluid-induced vibration of a pipeline network.