Non-parametric optimization technique for water distribution in pipe networks Nikita Palod, Vishnu Prasad and Ruchi Khare ABSTRACT Water distribution networks (WDN) contribute the massive cost of pipes in total water distribution system (WDS) design, thus the optimal design of any WDN is more of a necessity than a requirement. Various evolutionary algorithms (EAs) proposed in the past involve the use of algorithm-specific parameters and their synchronizing to get the optimal solution and thus require more computational effort and time. To overcome this drawback, the present work introduces an optimization technique, JayaNet, which is the integration of the Jaya algorithm and hydraulic network solver EPANET 2. The best part of this technique is that no algorithm-specific parameter is to be synchronized for optimal cost but there needs to be adjustment of penalty parameter and population size based on network size. Four well-known benchmark networks with different sizes and layout have been taken and optimized using JayaNet. The results are compared with those obtained from other EAs. It is found that optimized costs obtained for four networks by JayaNet are either the same or less than the results obtained from other EAs even with a lower number of function evaluations (NFE). The NFE are found to increase with population size in all networks. The statistical parameter obtained from JayaNet is also compared for different networks. Key words | design, evolutionary method, Jaya, optimization, water distribution networks HIGHLIGHTS • A new optimization technique, JayaNet, has been developed for the very first time for the optimal design of water distribution pipe networks. • It is a parameterless optimization technique. • JayaNet performed better than other EAs in terms of optimal cost and number of function evaluations. • The effect of population size on JayaNet convergence is also studied. • JayaNet requires far fewer evaluations to reach the reported optimal solution. Nikita Palod (corresponding author) Vishnu Prasad Ruchi Khare Department of Civil Engineering, MANIT Bhopal (M.P.), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462003, India E-mail: npalod@gmail.com 3068 © IWA Publishing 2020 Water Supply | 20.8 | 2020 doi: 10.2166/ws.2020.200 Downloaded from http://iwaponline.com/ws/article-pdf/20/8/3068/814036/ws020083068.pdf by guest on 10 February 2022