Seismic design of water distribution networks using auto-generation techniques

Abstract

A feasible approach that uses an auto-generation technique is proposed to design and retrofit water distribution networks (WDNs) subjected to earthquakes. Because pipelines are laid along roads, the road information is extracted and then integrated into the auto-generation technique whereby the rules relevant to laying the pipelines are established. An optimisation model with parameters of network topology and pipeline diameter is developed to design and retrofit WDNs, whose seismic functional reliability index serves as a constraint. An intelligent optimisation program via a particle swarm algorithm is employed to generate the optimal network after a number of evaluations and evolutions. For illustrative purposes, a hypothetical and a real WDN model are investigated, respectively. Numerical results indicate that the optimisation and design method developed in this paper provides a new perspective towards the rational balance between risk and investment.

Keywords:

• Water distribution networks
• network topology
• seismic optimisation design
• particle swarm algorithm
• auto-generation technique