Causes and Prevention of Urban Water Supply Pipeline Bursts

2025-08-22 17:31:48 hits：0

1. Aging and Quality Issues of Pipes

Aging Factors: Over long-term operation, water supply pipelines such as cast iron or steel pipes are prone to corrosion and wear. As the pipe wall becomes thinner and more brittle, its ability to withstand pressure decreases, which significantly raises the risk of bursting.
Quality Defects: If problems occur during production—such as substandard raw materials or poor manufacturing processes—the pipe’s strength and toughness may be insufficient. In such cases, rupture can happen even under normal water pressure conditions.

Excessive Pressure: In municipal water supply systems, sudden increases in water pressure—caused by pump failures or improper valve operations—can exceed the pipeline’s capacity, leading to rupture at weak points.
Pressure Fluctuations: Frequent changes in water pressure cause fatigue damage to pipelines. Over time, small cracks may expand gradually until a burst occurs.

Geological Hazards: Earthquakes, land subsidence, and landslides exert significant external forces on water networks, which can bend, deform, or even break pipes.
Construction Damage: During urban development, excavation machinery may accidentally damage underground pipelines, or blasting work nearby can create vibrations and shocks strong enough to cause ruptures.
Temperature Variations: Rapid temperature changes trigger thermal expansion and contraction. When resulting stress exceeds the pipe’s tolerance, rupture may occur. In colder regions, frozen pipes during winter pose an even higher risk.

Design Deficiencies: Improper pipe diameter selection, irrational pipeline routing, or insufficient structural support during the design stage can cause uneven stress distribution, creating localized stress concentrations that increase burst risk.
Construction Errors: Poor sealing at joints, loose connections, or inadequate foundation treatment during installation may lead to leaks or cracks, which can eventually develop into bursts during operation.

Close Valves: Quickly locate and close the control valve near the burst point to minimize water loss.
Notify Relevant Units: Immediately inform the water supply company or property management so that repair teams can be dispatched.
Safety Warnings: Set up barriers, warning lights, or other signs around the site to keep pedestrians and vehicles away from danger.

Repair or Replace: Depending on the damage, repair the burst section or replace it with new piping.
Inspect Surrounding Pipelines: Check nearby pipes for hidden risks and fix problems promptly.
Restore Water Supply: After repairs, conduct pressure tests and disinfection to ensure water quality and system safety before resuming supply.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Use professional equipment to monitor corrosion levels and wall thickness, identifying problems early for repair or replacement.
Optimize Pressure Management: Adjust system pressure reasonably and install monitoring devices to prevent excessive pressure or sharp fluctuations.
Strengthen Construction Oversight: Before construction, confirm the layout of underground water networks and implement protective measures to avoid damage.
Improve Pipe Quality: For new installations or renovations, select durable, corrosion-resistant, high-strength materials and strictly follow construction standards to ensure quality.