Pipeline Planning System

Abstract

This paper describes a research and development (R & D) effort on a Pipeline Planning System (PPS). Research was first conducted to identify the aspects of pipeline planning and pipeline-network design that could benefit from a computer-assisted approach. The barriers described in this study are as follows: hydraulic-analysis programs that are difficult to use; inadequate media for geographic/spatial information; and insufficient supporting tools for design refinements. Building upon these findings, a cohesive computer environment was designed and developed to integrate the hydraulic analysis and geographic information processing with a graphical user interface (GUI) in order to improve the effectiveness of pipeline-design functions. A system prototype was implemented and is currently being applied in real-world pipeline-network planning and design for municipal and industrial water conveyance.