Designing Water Distribution Networks in Quasi-Real and Real-World Scenarios Using the Fractal-Based Approach

The primary objective of water supply systems is to ensure a reliable delivery of water in appropriate quantity, quality, and pressure. Designing water supply networks involves determining their geometric layout and capacity by selecting suitable pipe routes and sizes. Since the network layout influences pipe diameters, routing and sizing should be conducted simultaneously. This paper presents an application of the fractal-based method for designing water distribution networks (WDNs) in which the pipe routes and diameters are mathematically justified. The proposed approach takes into account the total pipe length, the total angular change in pipeline routing, construction costs, and water delivery priorities. Additionally, the method was tested under both quasi-real conditions (in the virtual city of Micropolis) and in real-world complex settlement. The results of the sizing process were also compared with those obtained using the genetic algorithm approach. Verification of the proposed method in both quasi-real and real-world scenarios showed a smaller total pipe length (by 9.53% and 12.17%), a lower maximum water age (11 and 87 h), and a comparable energy demand. The SRS method enables simultaneous determination of pipe diameters and layout routing, while ensuring proper hydraulic performance of the network due to the application of evolution theory rules which results in quasi-optimal solutions for WDN designing.