Detecting topological changes in water distribution systems featuring one-way devices

This paper proposes the use of two iterative algorithms, namely those of Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel, to solve a linearized hydraulic simulation model and identify connected and disconnected nodes in water distribution networks following the isolation of failing pipes. The benefit of such a system is that it enables detection of the active part of the network, that which remains connected to the source(s) despite pipe removal, on which simulations may be performed for reliability assessment. The main advantage of the algorithms proposed herein lies in the fact that, unlike other methods based on the solution of linearized hydraulic equations previously proposed in the scientific literature, they yield reliable results when applied to networks fitted with one-way devices. In fact, their application herein to two case studies proved them to be more robust and reliable in comparison with other methods in use.