Effects of Variations in Pipe Leakage Diameter and Pipe Leakage Distance to the FFT Diagrams

Abstract

Abstract A method for detecting leaks in plastic water supply pipes through analysis of the pipe’s surface vibration using an accelerometer is proposed. Various diameter of leaks and distance of leaks are examined. The method involves identification of the changes vibration spectrum in Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) diagram caused on the pipe by various leak scenario. It is showing that FFT diagram on pipe small leak is difficult to be distinguished with FFT diagram with pipe no leak scenario. However, pipe big leak shows narrow frequency dominant in FFT diagram with high values on acceleration. The further leakage points from accelerometer, trend of frequency dominant in the FFT diagram is getting lower.