Browsing by Author "Papathanasiou, Michael"

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    Optimal reliability-based design of bulk water supply infrastructure-incorporating pumping systems
    (2015) Papathanasiou, Michael; Van Zyl, Jakobus E
    The optimal design of a bulk water supply system is centered on two major objectives: cost efficiency and the formation of a design solution that is appropriate for the conditions in which the system is to be implemented. The currently employed CSIR (2000) design guidelines utilise deterministic measures to size system components. The efficiency of following a deterministic approach to bulk water system design, involving pumping systems, was investigated. This was seen as necessary owing to the vast spectrum of influences and the interrelation of parameters that constitute a bulk water supply system. A model developed by Chang & van Zyl (2012) sought to address this inefficiency by optimizing a bulk water supply system, with the core objectives of cost and reliability. The determination of these objectives was achieved by using a capital cost model for cost determination and a stochastic model developed by Van Zyl et al. (2008) for reliability. While this produced workable results, the application was relatively limited, and applied only to non-pumped, gravity-fed flow. As such, the failure mechanisms of the supply system did not include the effects of pump failure, an important influence on overall system reliability. In addition, the costing system was based solely on capital cost and did not take into account the life-cycle cost involved with the implementation of a bulk water supply system. The investigation sought to expand the applicability of the model through the incorporation of pumping systems and life-cycle costing. It was further intended to compare the expanded model to both the model developed by Chang & van Zyl (2012) and the CSIR (2000) guidelines. A sensitivity analysis would also be performed.