A risk component-based model to determine pipes renewal strategies in water distribution networks

Salehi, S; Jalili Ghazizadeh, M; Tabesh, M; Valadi, S; Salamati Nia, SP

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.

Citation

Salehi, S., Jalili Ghazizadeh, M., Tabesh, M., Valadi, S., & Salamati Nia, S. (2021). A risk component-based model to determine pipes renewal strategies in water distribution networks. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 17(10), 1338-1359

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 10, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 10, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 3, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 2, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 10, 2021
• Journal: Structure and Infrastructure Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1573-2479
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-8980
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1338-1359
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2020.1842466
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/15732479.asp
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This Accepted Manuscript contains only the text of the article. Tables and figures are available on the published Version of Record, available on the journal website using the Official URL.; Access Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Structure and Infrastructure Engineering on 10th November 2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15732479.2020.1842466.