AWWA JAW72576

Skeletonization, the reduction of data required to represent the hydraulic performance of a pipe network, is used to model water systems that otherwise would exceed the practical limitations of computer processing. Lossless network skeletonization achieves the major objective of traditional skeletonization but avoids the adverse effects on model results that often stem from traditional skeletonization. The hydraulic model methodology described in this article offers significant advantages over previously available methods and foregoes some of the shortcuts used in those methods, such as not actually closing pipes. The ability to provide computational efficiency and correct results in situations in which other solution methods do not lead to increased levels of confidence and new applications for hydraulic network models. Hydraulic network modeling is essential for many aspects of water system operation, including operational problem-solving, automated operation, planning, and water quality analysis. Improved methods for hydraulic network solutions should have positive consequences for all of these applications.

Includes 6 references, tables, figures.