Optimal design of water-supply pipe network based on improved particle swarm optimization algorithm considering reliability

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is a heuristic global optimization technology based on colony intelligence. For improving the searching ability of this algorithm, a search factor is added into the movement of the particle to develop it, and the developed PSO algorithm is used for optimal design of water-supply pipe network. Reliability constraint, which is based on the principle of average distribution flux, is added into the process of optimal design to avoid producing tree pipe network for the reason of economic flux distribution. The algorithm is applied to a simple test network. Comparison with the results of basic PSO algorithm shows that the developed algorithm has stronger global optimizing ability and better search accuracy for optimal design of water-supply pipe network.