How did the massive water line explosion occur?

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SUMMARY

The massive water line explosion outside the Toronto Skydome was likely caused by a drainage line failure due to excessive pressure from surging water. Contributing factors included inadequate venting systems and air compressibility issues exacerbated by a heavy rainstorm. A specific incident involving a 1200-meter pipe with a 400mm diameter and 0.6 Mpa pressure illustrates the dangers of improper hydraulic testing procedures, particularly when air is not adequately purged from the system. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correct pressure testing methods to prevent such catastrophic failures.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydraulic systems and pressure dynamics
  • Knowledge of drainage line design and maintenance
  • Familiarity with pressure testing protocols for pipelines
  • Basic principles of fluid mechanics, particularly air compressibility
NEXT STEPS
  • Research proper hydraulic testing methods for pipelines
  • Learn about air venting systems in drainage design
  • Investigate case studies on drainage line failures and their causes
  • Study the principles of fluid dynamics related to pressure surges
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, construction managers, and maintenance personnel involved in drainage system design and management, as well as safety inspectors focused on hydraulic testing protocols.

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111111 said:
I saw this video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDfZdfeJ1nc&feature=related . Does anyone know how this happened? I read through some of the comments and no one seems to have a good explanation.
THis is outside the Toronto Skydome during the 7th inning stretch.
 
My guess right now is that it was a drainage line that was fed by hundreds or more street drains located at a higher altitude which caused the water at the bottom to be under huge pressure, except that doesn't explain why it did it in surges where it was completely calm and then suddenly exploded. Unless DaveC426913 is correct :rolleyes:.

Or if they have some kind of system that will reroute the water if there is too much coming down one drain, and it got rerouted to this one, that could explain the surges.
 
Last edited:
The surges were possibly from air compressibility, with an inadequate drain venting system, plus a huge rain-storm.
 
Unfortunately I can't get Youtube stuff here at work. It was a drainage line that blew?
 
Like momentun Waves said it was a air compressibility problem I'm sure. I saw a 1200 Meters pipe, 400mm diameter 0,6Mpa explode due to the fact that when they do the hidraulic test, the put the purge in the lower level area and the pump in the high one. I't opposite actually, but the chief of that construction was an architect. Need to ad more?

when you have bubbles in a pipe and by Water column you have pressure. If you don't have an air exhaust you are creating a cannon

Pablo
 
They put the purge at the lowest point? Oh man. There's someone that needs to revisit 8th grade science class.

That's a great example of why we pressure test with water and not air. Of course, if you can't get rid of all the air...
 

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