Article ID: | iaor2007835 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 38 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page Number: | 259 |
End Page Number: | 280 |
Publication Date: | Apr 2006 |
Journal: | Engineering Optimization |
Authors: | Geem Zong Woo |
Keywords: | engineering, optimization, networks |
This study presents a cost minimization model for the design of water distribution networks. The model uses a recently developed harmony search optimization algorithm while satisfying all the design constraints. The harmony search algorithm mimics a jazz improvisation process in order to find better design solutions, in this case pipe diameters in a water distribution network. The model also interfaces with a popular hydraulic simulator, EPANET, to check the hydraulic constraints. If the design solution vector violates the hydraulic constraints, the amount of violation is considered in the cost function as a penalty. The model was applied to five water distribution networks, and obtained designs that were either the same or cost 0.28–10.26% less than those of competitive meta-heuristic algorithms, such as the genetic algorithm, simulated annealing and tabu search under similar or less favorable conditions. The results show that the harmony search-based model is suitable for water network design.