Path entropy method for multiple-source water distribution networks

Over the past decade, one of the key research areas for water distribution networks has been the quantification of network reliability. An interesting approach in this research topic is the use of informational entropy as a surrogate measure for the reliability of water distribution network. Research on water distribution network entropy has progressed to the stage where practical applications are possible, but the actual meaning of the network entropy has never been fully elucidated. Recently, an alternative approach to calculate network entropy was proposed, which was termed the path entropy method (PEM). This alternative method was shown to be useful for the case of single-source water distribution networks. The purpose of this article is to explore the use of the PEM on multiple-source networks. A two-source and two-demand water distribution network is analysed to gain insight into the differences between single-source and multiple-source networks in terms of maximum-entropy flow distribution. This leads to the formal proof of the principle governing maximum-entropy flow ratios in multiple-source water distribution networks.