Review and Evaluation of Reliability Concepts for Design of Water Distribution Systems

摘要

This study assembles information related to the applicability of mechanical reliability concepts to the evaluation of water distribution systems. Included in the report is a detailed review of water resources and reliability literature and development of a conceptual basis for a technique or methodology to apply reliability concepts to the design and evaluation of water distribution systems. A comprehensive review of the reliability literature indicates that even the term 'reliability' is ill defined when applied to the analysis of water distribution systems. The concept of availability proved to be a more valuable concept. Methods for quantifying availability of discrete water distribution system components are developed. Specific examples of pump station and pipe reliability analysis are presented. An extensive list of applicable references is included as Appendix A. Of primary interest to the designer of water distribution systems is the inventory of computer codes available for reliability analysis. (Author)