Water Supply (May 2024)
Development of a user-friendly hydraulic model for simulating hybrid water distribution networks: a transition toward sector sustainability
Abstract
The conventional computational approach for modeling and simulating drinking water distribution networks (WDNs) is time-consuming and prone to human errors. Therefore, this study developed and implemented a hydraulic modeling tool, the ‘Kyema-Net model’, based on the modified Hardy Cross algorithm in Visual Basic, to simulate a hybrid WDN with the inclusion of pipe cost assessment. The model's accuracy was validated by comparing its outputs with those of EPANET 2.2 software. The Kyema-Net model and EPANET 2.2 simulation results were comparable. Considering the WDN case study, the proposed model initialized nodal inflows in proportions of 60 and 40% for any two pipes exiting the node, reducing the computational steps. The model executed three trials to achieve the final solution against four trials for EPANET 2.2. The mean absolute percentage error, coefficient of determination (R2), and root mean square error metrics for flow velocity were ∼0.00%, 1.00, and ∼0.00 m, respectively. The modified resilience index values ranged between 0.30 and 1.09. Implementing the proposed hydraulic modeling tool in designing and/or rehabilitating WDNs demonstrated compliance with numerous social-, economic-, and technological-related Sustainable Development Goals. This would assist various water sector stakeholders in the sustainable planning, operation, and management of WDNS globally. HIGHLIGHTS A user-friendly Kyema-Net model was built for steady and unsteady states analysis.; Nodal demand estimation was automated and pipe flows were initialized.; The hydraulic model was tested on a hybrid network under steady/unsteady-state conditions.; The Kyema-Net model yielded comparable results with those of the EPANET software.; Implementing hydraulic models in WDN analysis could meet numerous Sustainable Development Goal targets.;
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