Developing a Novel Method for Friction Factor Calibration in Water Distribution Networks

The friction factor of pipes in water distribution networks is different from the laboratory values due to the connections, installation method and created bights. Passing of time, erosion and sedimentation in pipes are also factors affecting roughness. Therefore, the roughness of pipes should be calibrated during network modeling. In this research, a new optimization method, called sensitivity analysis method was introduced for roughness calibration. In this method, first the pipes are grouped based on the material and diameter of pipes. Then, using sensitivity analysis it is determined what the effect of changing the roughness of different groups on node pressures is. In the following, roughness calibration is performed according to the importance of the groups respectively. This method was investigated on a real network with assumed changes. In order to compare the efficiency of the present method, the results obtained were compared with the results obtained from the calibration tool of WaterGEMS software. Fitness that is obtained by present study method and output of WaterGEMS in studied network are 0.02 and 8.11 centimeters, respectively. Obtained results show the high ability of this method in pipes network roughness calibration.