A risk component-based model to determine pipes renewal strategies in water distribution networks
Sattar Salehi, Mohammadreza Jalili Ghazizadeh, Massoud Tabesh, Somayeh Valadi, Seyed Payam Salamati Nia
Abstract
Among the main concerns of water companies are to maintain the optimal performance of pipes in water distribution networks (WDNs); this is achieved by activities, such as renewal works, maintenance actions, pressure management and other improvement operations. Accordingly, determining the risk associated with pipes is useful when planning such renewal works. In this study, a model is developed to determine a pipe renewal strategy (PRS) based on the risk components (RCs) of each pipe. Hence, comprehensive criteria relating to pipe characteristics are assessed to determine the RCs. The developed model is based on a fuzzy-based, multi-criteria decision-making method, known as risk component-based water distribution system renewal (RC-WDSR). This is an improved version of the WDSR model, which was presented in 2018 by the authors of this study. To investigate the accuracy of the analysis of this model, two known WDNs – Anytown and Two-loop – were examined. The results indicate that the PRSs determined for the Anytown network reflects the pipe renewal priorities obtained from the WDSR model. Furthermore, in the Two-loop network, the PRSs obtained corresponded with the technical conditions of the pipes. Hence, it reveals that the results of the RC-WDSR are reliable when determining PRSs in WDNs.