Water distribution system calibration using the Finite Element Method coupled to a Genetic Algorithm

Water distribution systems (WDS) are a fundamental part of the infrastructure in our cities, for this reason increasingly capable numerical models have been developed in recent years to allow hydraulic systems be analyzed in great detail. Calibration process let get accurate and reliable information for those involved in design, operation, construction and maintenance of public WDS. In this study a calibration process is proposed using a Genetic Algorithms (GA) methodology with real number coding coupled to the Finite Element Method as hydraulic simulator GA-FEMH. The method proposed was applied to two calibration cases; one reported in literature and a real network.The results show that the proposed calibration process is reliable, and the WDS model can represent real conditions of the network according to the regulations that international organizations such as AWWA and WAA recommend. Moreover high correlation values were obtained after the calibration process, with values of R2 higher than 95 % for pressure and flow. Likewise, the FEM can be an alternative to use it as a hydraulic simulator due to its rapid convergence and its ease of integrating hydraulic accessories.