Integration of a Model for Hydraulic Analysis of Water Distribution Networks with an Evolution Program for Pressure Regulation

: This paper describes a computational model for hydraulic analysis of water distribution networks specifically developed to be used with an evolution program (EP) for optimal pressure regulation. The hydraulic solver uses a method based on loop equations, namely, the linear theory method (LTM). Network topology analysis is performed using depth-first-search and breadth-first-search algorithms that are devised to ensure the connectedness of a network and to enable easy identification of loops. The model developed enables rapid evaluation of a network for different topologic conditions (i.e., the connectivity of the nodes caused by different valve settings) as required by the EP. A variable number of LTM iterations throughout the evolution process is used to speed up the search. A sample network problem is used to illustrate the efficiency of both the model for hydraulic analysis and the EP.