Risk-based prioritization of water main failure using fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique

Research Article| November 17 2015 Risk-based prioritization of water main failure using fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique Muhammad Al-Zahrani; Muhammad Al-Zahrani 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Research Group, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia E-mail: mzahrani@kfupm.edu.sa Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Amin Abo-Monasar; Amin Abo-Monasar 2Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hafr Al-Batin (UHB), Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Rehan Sadiq Rehan Sadiq 3Okanagan School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2016) 65 (2): 145–161. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2015.051 Article history Received: April 05 2015 Accepted: October 21 2015 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation Muhammad Al-Zahrani, Amin Abo-Monasar, Rehan Sadiq; Risk-based prioritization of water main failure using fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 24 March 2016; 65 (2): 145–161. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2015.051 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex The prioritization of water mains for renewal requires the consideration of their impact on the deterioration of water quality, in addition to their structural integrity and hydraulic capacity. The deterioration of water mains may lead to structural failure that may have grave economic impacts. This paper develops a fuzzy-based decision support system (DSS) to identify the vulnerable locations in water distribution network (WDN) that may cause overall system failure not only to compromise structural integrity, but also include failures related to water quality and hydraulic capacity. The developed DSS was applied to Al-Khobar WDN located in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To achieve the objectives of the study, an aggregate vulnerability index representing the likelihood of system failure was developed using multi-criteria decision models. In addition, the potential impacts in terms of sensitivity index were also evaluated using advanced soft computing methods. Finally, a risk index, based on both vulnerability and sensitivity indices, was developed to help water managers to prioritize the water mains based on the overall risk of failure. decision support system, fuzzy logic, risk, vulnerability, water supply system © IWA Publishing 2016 You do not currently have access to this content.