Graph-based approach for generating virtual water distribution systems in the software VIBe

Application of virtual case studies (VCS) is a well established technique in environmental engineering to test measures, approaches, models or software. However, preparation of VCS for an infrastructure network is a tedious task. In literature, approaches can be found which generate very simplified VCS, which are only partly comparable with real world case studies. VCS which are more comparable with real world case studies can be generated with the software VIBe (Virtual Infrastructure Benchmarking). With VIBe, a methodology for algorithmic generation of VCS with varying spatially distributed boundary conditions was presented. Therein the investigated infrastructure is constructed accordingly to the state-of-the-art design rules meeting the requirements of the generated virtual urban environment. In this paper the module for the generation of water distribution systems (WDS) is presented. The generated WDS are set in context with data from real world WDS and systematically investigated. A set of 75,000 virtual WDS with varying properties is characterized and stochastically analysed in order to identify system coherences e.g. impact of mesh degree on hydraulic, water quality performance and costs. An example involving the systematic investigation of a simple pipe sizing algorithm with the set of 75,000 WDS is shown.