Optimal transient network design: A multi‐objective approach

Abstract

The most advantageous way to formulate the design of a water distribution system under transient conditions is as a multi‐objective optimization problem. The first objective in such a design is a least‐cost optimization problem using pipe diameters as decision variables. The second objective is to minimize the likelihood of a damaging transient event. In this article, a new surge damage measure called surge damage potential factor is introduced. Evolutionary algorithms are applied to produce a set of Pareto‐optimal solutions in the search space of pipe cost and surge damage potential. The model was tested on the New York City tunnel system. Comparison of the proposed method with that of a conventional approach shows that the modifications of pipe size in the design process can result in an effective and inexpensive surge control strategy.