ABSTRACT
The research presented in this chapter aims at support tool for generation of multiple networks with preset or randomised properties. The purpose is twofold: the use for research, and more practically, for design of water distribution networks and their extensions. To explore particular phenomena, water distribution research may require a coherent set of cases. Readily available in the literature are simple networks used for benchmarking, either real-life cases that are too diverse in size and configuration. The network generation tool (NGT) developed on the principles of graph theory connects any seed of nodes prepared in EPANET, by applying the rule of maximum number of (closest) connections, and avoiding pipe crossings or unnecessary duplications. The pipe properties are assigned in different ways: by specifying a range of arbitrary lengths and diameters, by using coordinates to calculate the lengths, or by GA optimisation of initial diameters. Equally, the nodal elevations and demands can be arbitrarily assigned when not predefined in EPANET. Several sets of networks have been generated, up to 200 junctions, some of them used in the analyses described in Chapters 6 and 7. The upgrade and the use of NGT for design purposes have been further discussed in Chapter 9.
