Optimal design of urban water supply pipe networks

This paper approaches the optimisation of looped water distribution networks supplied from one or more sources, according to demand variation. The pipe networks have concentrated outflows or uniform outflow along the length of each pipe. An optimisation model coupled with a computational iterative procedure of optimal discharges through pipes is developed on the basis of linear programming for the design of new or partially extended water distribution networks. The optimum solution obtained by this model consists of one or two pipe segments of different discrete sizes between each pair of nodes. The improved linear optimisation model guarantees a high reliability. Also, it is possible to take into account the network pipes with variable discharge on route. Additionally, the paper compares the linear optimisation model to some others, such as the classic model of economical velocities, the Moshnin model and a nonlinear model. This shows a good performance of the proposed model.