Optimal Layout for Branching Distribution Networks

A branching network consisting of several sources and demand nodes is considered to find its optimal geometrical layout. Initially a one‐source two‐demand‐node network is considered and for it, optimality criteria are developed, a procedure is evolved and then illustrated through an example. It is shown that the optimal layout of one‐source two‐demand‐node network is mostly the one in which the demands of the two demand nodes are first jointly transported to a junction point through one link and then from the junction point to the two demand nodes through two separate links. The junction point generally lies within the triangle formed by the nodes but exceptionally may coincide with one of the nodes. The procedure is then extended to a multiplenode system consisting of several sources and demand nodes and can be applied to water supply systems for large urban areas in which the several service reservoirs are supplied from one or more sources.