Pipe Diameter Optimization using Genetic Algorithm- A Case Study

A systematic study on the application of genetic algorithm (GA) in pipe diameter optimization was carried out. The aim of the study was to develop a genetic based programme and apply it to a case study, distribution system of Weligama water supply scheme. Then the performance of Genetic algorithm was compared with non linear programming (NLP).

It was found that the genetic algorithm method using the standard three operators is particularly effective in finding global optimal solution for the case study network. It should be noted that the genetic algorithm technique is ideally suited to discrete problems such as selection of commercially availably pipe sizes.