Optimal urban water distribution design

Abstract

A heuristic linear programming‐based procedure has been developed for the least cost layout and design of water distribution networks. The methodology is capable of analyzing a wide range of demand pattern and pipe failure combinations. Hydraulic consistency is ensured throughout the procedure through the use of the Hardy‐Cross network solver technique. The procedure can also be extended for use in the expansion or reinforcement of existing network systems. While the techniques used to reduce the size of the constraint set to enable the procedure to handle a wide range of loading conditions do not guarantee global optimality, a pragmatic “reasonable” optimum is achieved. The method is demonstrated by application to the design of a new network and the expansion of an existing network. In the expansion of the existing network problem the solution obtained was less expensive than any previously published solution.