The evolution of optimizing water distribution system applications

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Water distribution systems present many interesting and challenging optimization problems. For example in the pipe sizing problem, the interactions between decisions are complex and not always easily understood or expected. Also, assumptions about decision and problem form alter the problem structure and permit a range of methods to be applied. Constraints and the objective can be linear or nonlinear. Some problems can be posed in a stage-wise structure. Thus, an abundance of optimization applications are found in the literature for the range of water distribution problems. This talk attempts to provide context of the maturity of optimization techniques applied in the area over time. Clearly, computer power is central to the improvement of methodologies and movement toward more complex problems. From the initial consideration of branched systems, other key causes of change include the evolution to considering looped systems, the development of fast hydraulic simulation models that led to the linking of optimization and simulation models, the emergence of water quality as a central issue in distribution systems, and the movement of water distribution oriented optimization software from research to practice through commercialization. Timelines of advances in the application of optimization methods to water distribution system problems are presented. They relate the types of problem considered over time, the methods applied, and the general formulation structures with the changes listed in the previous paragraph and others that altered the way problems were posed and solved. Copyright ASCE 2006.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages5
Number of pages1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Event8th Annual Water Distribution Systems Analysis Symposium 2006 - Cincinnati, OH, United States
Duration: Aug 27 2006Aug 30 2006

Other

Other8th Annual Water Distribution Systems Analysis Symposium 2006
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCincinnati, OH
Period8/27/068/30/06

Keywords

  • History
  • Optimization
  • Review
  • Water distribution

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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