Design of a Pipe Network Using the Finite-Element Method Coupled with Particle-Swarm Optimization

Abstract

In this study, the optimal design of a pipe network is proposed using a simulation–optimization model. Simulation and optimization were performed using the finite-element method (FEM) coupled with particle-swarm optimization (PSO). A finite-element–based simulation was applied to solve two benchmark problems: two-loop and Hanoi networks. The FEM-simulated results were compared with results from a software model, which revealed good agreement between these results. In addition, the developed FEM–PSO model was applied to design a real-life large pipe network. The results revealed a faster convergence of the proposed FEM–PSO model for designing pipe networks. The present study shows that the FEM can be used as an alternative simulation method in pipe network analysis and can also be easily coupled with search-based optimization techniques such as PSO.