Optimising Water Distribution Network Design Using Entropy Surrogates for Network Reliability

Abstract

Two optimisation formulations for design of water distribution networks under reliability considerations are presented. The formulations incorporate entropy derived statements of redundancy to impose redundancy, and therefore reliability of supply, in the network. One formulation maximises the network wide redundancy subject to a maximum allowable network cost. This model is demonstrated by application to a simple example network. The variation in the layout and redundancy values of this network arising from changes in the levels of maximum allowable cost are analysed. The second formulation minimises network capital cost subject to minimum acceptable levels of nodal redundancy. This model is demonstrated by application to a well known network from the literature and the resulting design compared to the design generated by an established technique. A close similarity was found in the designs produced by the two techniques.