Brain teasers and challenges for hydraulic engineers

TY - GEN

T1 - Brain teasers and challenges for hydraulic engineers

AU - Vardy, Alan E.

AU - Tijsseling, Arris S.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Deltares 2026.

PY - 2026/4/17

Y1 - 2026/4/17

N2 - In contrast with usual practice, it is useful to begin with a statement of what this paper does not do. It does not extend the boundaries of human knowledge, either in academic research or in engineering practice. Instead, it illustrates possible consequences of an unavoidable complication that influences both of these - and even everyday life - namely human fallibility. Seven examples are given. Most are traps, into each of which at least one of the authors has fallen. The remaining few are ones that they have found in published papers (not cited: we are not pointing fingers). All are simple - with the benefit of hindsight. What matters in engineering practice, though, is whether such traps are detected before it is too late. It is assumed that readers have at least an elementary understanding of pressure surge phenomena. Not all of the examples require that, although all are relevant to surge analysts.

AB - In contrast with usual practice, it is useful to begin with a statement of what this paper does not do. It does not extend the boundaries of human knowledge, either in academic research or in engineering practice. Instead, it illustrates possible consequences of an unavoidable complication that influences both of these - and even everyday life - namely human fallibility. Seven examples are given. Most are traps, into each of which at least one of the authors has fallen. The remaining few are ones that they have found in published papers (not cited: we are not pointing fingers). All are simple - with the benefit of hindsight. What matters in engineering practice, though, is whether such traps are detected before it is too late. It is assumed that readers have at least an elementary understanding of pressure surge phenomena. Not all of the examples require that, although all are relevant to surge analysts.

UR - https://cms.deltares.nl/assets/common/downloads/Pressure-Surge-Conference-15-Programme-FINAL.pdf

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105040235202

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:105040235202

SP - 661

EP - 678

BT - 15th International Conference on Pressure Surges 2026

A2 - Jones, Sarah E. L.

PB - Deltares

T2 - 15th International Conference on Pressure Surges 2026

Y2 - 15 April 2026 through 17 April 2026

ER -