In many countries, leaks are located in water distribution pipes by using the cross-correlation of pipe vibration measured either side of a suspected leak. However, in modern plastic pipes this can be problematic due to strong coupling between the water, the pipe and the soil, affecting the propagation of leak noise within the pipe. This paper concerns an analytical, numerical and experimental investigation into the way in which soil properties influence leak noise propagation in buried plastic water pipes. The analytical model allows a detailed investigation into the physical effects of the soil on leak noise (wave) propagation in the pipe, in particular on the wave speed and wave attenuation. Results highlight that, in addition to the pipe hoop stiffness, the shear stiffness of the soil can have a significant effect on the wave speed in the pipe. Experimental measurements were conducted at two different sites-one in the UK and the other in Brazil. In the UK system, both dilatational and shear waves in the soil propagate away from the pipe, resulting in large wave attenuation in the pipe. However, in the Brazil system, only shear waves propagate resulting in smaller wave attenuation in the pipe.

The interest in the use of layered cylinders that combine autofrettage and shrink fit in order to extend fatigue lifetimes is increasing. As the number of layers increases, the sequential order of assembly and the size of each layer become more important. To achieve the most benefical result, a design optimization method is required. In this investigation, the optimum design of a three-layered vessel for maximum fatigue life expectancy under the combined effects of autofrettage and shrink fit has been considered. To obtain optimum size of each layer and to optimize the initial stress distribution, the numerical optimization procedure known as the Simplex search method is employed here. The thickness of each layer, shrink-fit pressures, and autofrettage percentages are treated as design variables. Under stress constraints, the operational sequences for assembly of a layered vessel have been formulated in order to lead to optimum results, defined as maximum life expectancy. The fatigue life consideration is based on ASME code provisions and standards for high pressure vessel technology, which define the allowable final crack depth for multilayer vessels. The proposed procedure has been carried out on a number of examples. The results show that, with proper combination of operations significant life enhancement can be achieved using the optimization procedure.

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simply supported boundary conditions, an analytical solution is employed for verification of the method. For both cases studies, numerical results from the hybrid approach are compared with experimental data measured in two different anechoic wind tunnels.