An Optimization Model for Crucial Key Pipes and Mechanical Reliability: A Case Study on a Water Distribution System in Taiwan

This study develops a new method to calculate the water distribution system’s mechanical reliability and locates crucial pipes by using the minimum cut‐sets method, exhaustive enumeration method and an optimal allocation model. First, a full domain optimization model was established to analyze the water distribution system. Next, the minimum cut‐sets method and exhaustive enumeration method were used to discover the water distribution system’s key pipes. At last, water distribution system’s mechanical reliability can be calculated. The major contributions are that we can use optimal allocation model to locate crucial pipelines in the water distribution whose failure will severely impair the source‐demand connectivity. Besides, we can calculate water distribution system’s mechanical reliability. Thus we can offer these results for hydraulic construction funds consulting. The developed methodology is applied to a water distribution system in Hsin‐Chu, Taiwan.