Hydraulic performance of post-earthquake water distribution networks based on head driven simulation method

Abstract

Water distribution networks are one of the most important infrastructures in urban areas. Evaluating their real hydraulic performance after being damaged by earthquake loadings is crucial for future planning. In this study, pipeline damage caused by seismic wave propagation is modelled using relationships obtained from 1994 Northridge earthquake. Damaged network is hydraulically analysed using the head driven simulation method (HDSM). This analysis helps to obtain actual performance of the water distribution network damaged by seismic waves, without the usual need to handle negative nodal pressures generated from demand driven simulation method. Pressure performance indicator and the total leakage of the network are used as indicators to show the hydraulic performance of the system. Comparison of the damages from different seismic scenarios and the hydraulic indicators of the network, illustrate the probable condition of the water distribution network after the earthquake. The proposed methodology is applied on a reservoir zone of the Tehran water distribution network. The results indicate the degree of damage in terms of pipe burst and leak points in this network.