A Framework for Improving Reliability of Water Distribution Systems Based on a Segment-Based Minimum Cut-Set Approach

Abstract

A framework is presented to effectively improve the water distribution system (WDS) reliability. The proposed framework first classifies pipes in a WDS into three reinforcement types through topological analyses and hydraulic simulations over the WDS; type 1: no reinforcement, type 2: increasing pipe durability, and type 3: installing valve(s) at both ends. Then two rules, rules 1 and 2, are implemented, in which rule 1 first reinforces the pipe with the lowest reliability but rule 2 preferentially reduces damage size by pipe failures represented as the expected number of customers out of service (EN). The proposed method was applied to Cherry Hill network, and considerably improved the WDS reliability from 0.137 to 0.483. Both approaches showed notable differences in changes of the EN at each step of reinforcement, where rule 2 showed a better capability to reduce the EN and detect vulnerable areas in the WDS than rule 1. In addition, a practical approach, maximizing valve installations and minimizing pipe replacements according to the reinforcement types in the system, provided an improved WDS reliability (0.423) close to that of the rule-based approach (0.483) using only 21% of the construction cost by the rule-based approach. The proposed framework can be guidelines for improving the WDS reliability under restricted budget and site conditions.

Emerging Issues and Methodologies for Resilient and Robust Water Distribution Systems

“…Kim et al [8] proposed a heuristic algorithm to improve WDS reliability (the expected number of customers not receiving the service), quantified based on segment failure. The proposed approach determines the type of improvements among the cases of taking no action, increasing pipe size (and durability), and installing additional valves to the current network configuration.…”

“…The papers are sorted in the order of publication date (Jun and Kwon [1], Yoo et al [2], Choi and Kim [3], Diao et al [4], Lee at al. [5], Jung et al [6], Lee et al [7], Kim et al [8], Balut et al [9], Lee et al [10], Li et al [11]). Among the 11 papers, Yoo et al [2] received the largest number of full-text views, whereas the abstract of Kim et al [8] was viewed the most often.…”

“…[5], Jung et al [6], Lee et al [7], Kim et al [8], Balut et al [9], Lee et al [10], Li et al [11]). Among the 11 papers, Yoo et al [2] received the largest number of full-text views, whereas the abstract of Kim et al [8] was viewed the most often. The average daily views of the papers tended to increase for papers published towards the due date of the Special Issue because the daily number of views tended to decrease over time.…”

Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization of Neural Networks for Water Supply Pipe Condition Prediction

“…This research could be used to establish potential water pipe replacement plans. Kim et al [33] researched how to boost the water delivery system efficiency. The pipes were first divided into three groups: no strengthening, increased pipe longevity, and installing valves on both ends.…”

Pipe and isolation valve failure-impact analysis and prioritization model for an urban water distribution network

“…Several researchers have recently focused on the optimization, reliability-based design, and analysis of WDN that include isolation valves (Kim et al 2019;Zischg et al 2019;Fiorini Morosini et al 2020;Giustolisi 2020). Zischg et al (2019) used complex network analysis to evaluate and compare the valving of various WDNs by examining their dual topology.…”