HRDM Method for Rehabilitation of Pipes in Water Distribution Networks with Inaccurate Operational-Failure Data

Abstract

In this research, a hybrid risk-based decision-making (HRDM) method is proposed, in which by using pipe design parameters (PDPs), it is possible to determine a rehabilitation road map for water distribution networks (WDNs) in the future. This method can be useful for networks that have imprecise operational-failure data when planning rehabilitation. In this regard, based on PDPs, the water supply failure risks (WSFR) of pipes in the network are assessed; subsequently, the pipes are prioritized based on their rehabilitation potential indices (RPI), which are calculated using a decision-making model (DMM) called Fuzzy TOPSIS (technique for order preferences by similarity to an ideal solution). This method is used to plan the water network rehabilitation needs for Qods Town of Qom Province in Iran. The results indicate that, in the absence of accurate operational-failure data, a road map of future rehabilitation of water networks can be determined by using PDPs. Furthermore, the network zones and their pipes can be prioritized according to their rehabilitation needs. It was also found that pressure, flow velocity, flow rate, and pipe diameter are more reliable PDPs for rehabilitation planning.