Abstract
Judging from the situation in developing countries, the water infrastructure market is likely to see future growth. At present, however, the provisioning of water lifelines is not keeping up with increasing demand from population growth and rapid industrial and commercial development. Moreover, due to the less than optimal pipeline layout and deterioration of existing water systems, they often suffer from problems such as leaks and inadequate pressure. In undertaking the upgrading of water pipelines in developing countries, a planning model is needed that can achieve efficient pipeline provisioning and renewal within budgetary limits.
This study therefore focuses on pipeline upgrading plans in developing countries. It proposes an optimization model for selecting more appropriate pipe diameters and materials from the two standpoints. One is to satisfy the hydrological constraints of the water distribution network dealing with future water demand increases. The other is to reduce life cycle costs utilizing some part of existing pipes. The model is based on genetic algorithms (GA), and internalizes pipe network analysis. Applying the proposed model makes possible “selection and concentration” of the upgrading process, by eliminating pipelines with small investment benefit and giving priority to renewal of other pipelines, which gives us an efficient renewal plan with long-range.
