Optimization Methods: Advanced Topics in Optimization - Applications in Civil

Engineering

Module 8 Lecture Notes 6

Applications in Civil Engineering
Introduction
In this lecture we will discuss some applications of multiobjective optimization and
evolutionary algorithms in civil engineering.
Water quality management, waste load allocation
Waste Load Allocation (WLA) in streams refers to the determination of required pollutant
treatment levels at a set of point sources of pollution, to ensure that water quality standards
are maintained throughout the stream. The stakeholders involved in a waste load allocation
are the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) and the dischargers (municipal and industrial) who
are discharging waste into the stream. The goals of the PCA are to improve the water quality
throughout the stream whereas that of the dischargers is to reduce the treatment cost of the
pollutants. Therefore a waste load allocation model can be viewed as a multiobjective
optimization model with conflicting objectives. If the fractional removal level of the pollutant
is denoted by x and the concentration of water quality indicator (e.g., Dissolved Oxygen) is
denoted by c, then the following optimization model can be formulated:
Maximize

(1)

Minimize

(2)

c = f (x )

(3)

Eq. (3) represents the relationship between the water quality indicator and the fractional
removal levels of the pollutants. It should be noted that the relationship between c and x may
be nonlinear and therefore linear programming may not applicable. In such cases the
applications of evolutionary algorithm is a possible solution. Interested readers may refer to
Tung and Hathhorn (1989), Sasikumar and Mujumdar (1998), and Mujumdar and Subbarao
(2004).

D Nagesh Kumar, IISc, Bangalore

M8L6

Optimization Methods: Advanced Topics in Optimization - Applications in Civil

Engineering

Reservoir Operation
In reservoir operation problems, to achieve the best possible performance of the system,
decisions need to be taken on releases and storages over a period of time considering the
variations in inflows and demands. The goals of a multipurpose reservoir operation problem
can be:
A) Flood control
B) Hydropower generation
C) Meeting irrigation demand
D) Maintaining downstream water quality
Therefore deriving the operation policy for a multipurpose reservoir can be considered as a
multiobjective optimization problem. A typical reservoir operation problem is characterized
by the uncertainty resulting from the random behavior of inflow and demand, incorporation
of which in terms of risk may lead to a nonlinear optimization problem. Application of
evolutionary algorithms is a possible solution for such problems. Interested readers may refer
to Janga Reddy and Nagesh Kumar (2007), Nagesh Kumar and Janga Reddy (2007).
Water Distribution Systems
The typical goals of water distribution systems problem in designing urban pipe system can
be:
A) Meeting the household demands.
B) Minimizing cost of pipe system.
C) Meeting the required water pressure at all nodes of the distribution system.
D) Optimal positioning of valves.
Therefore designing urban water distribution system is a multiobjective problem, which is
also characterized by nonlinearity resulting from the simulation model (e.g., Hardy Cross
method). Multiobjective techniques with search algorithm or evolutionary algorithm are
therefore used for solving such problems. Apart from these, determination of optimum

D Nagesh Kumar, IISc, Bangalore

M8L6

Optimization Methods: Advanced Topics in Optimization - Applications in Civil

Engineering

dosage of chlorine is also another important problem which is highly nonlinear because of the
nonlinear water quality simulation model. Evolutionary algorithms are successfully applied
for such problem in various case studies by different researchers.
Transportation Engineering
Evolutionary algorithm has become a useful tool for solving many problems in transportation
systems engineering. The problem, to efficiently move empty or laden containers for a
logistic company or Truck and Trailer Vehicle Routing Problem (TTVRP), is one among the
many potential research problems in transportation systems engineering. A general model for
TTVRP, consisting of a number of job orders to be served by trucks and trailers daily, is
constructed for a logistic company that provides transportation services for container
movement within the country. Due to the limited capacity of vehicles owned by the company,
the engineers of the company have to decide whether to assign the job orders of container
movement

to

its

internal

fleet

of

vehicles

or

to

outsource

the

jobs

to

other companies. The solution to the TTVRP consists of finding a complete routing schedule
for serving the jobs with - 1. minimum routing distance and 2. minimum number of trucks,
subject to a number of constraints such as time windows and availability of trailers.
Multiobjective evolutionary algorithm can be used to solve such models. Applications of
evolutionary algorithm in solving transportation problems can be found in Lee et al. (2003).
Suggested Reading
Janga Reddy, M., and Nagesh Kumar, D. (2007), Multi-objective differential evolution with
application to reservoir system optimization, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering,
ASCE, 21(2), 136-146.
Lee, L.H., Tan, K. C., Ou, K. and Chew, Y.H. (2003), Vehicle capacity planning system
(VCPS): A case study on vehicle routing problem with time windows, IEEE Transactions on
Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Part A (Systems and Humans), 33 (2), 169-178.
Mujumdar, P.P. and Subbarao V.V.R (2004), Fuzzy waste load allocation model for river
systems: simulation optimization approach, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering,
ASCE, 18(2), 120-131.

D Nagesh Kumar, IISc, Bangalore

M8L6

Optimization Methods: Advanced Topics in Optimization - Applications in Civil

Engineering

Nagesh Kumar, D. and Janga Reddy, M. (2007), Multipurpose reservoir operation using
particle swarm optimization, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, ASCE,
133(3), 192-201.
Sasikumar, K., and Mujumdar, P. P. (1998), Fuzzy optimization model for water quality
management of a river system, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management,
ASCE, 124(2), 79-88.
Tung, Y. K., and Hathhorn, W. E. (1989), Multiple-objective waste load allocation, Water
Resources Management, 3, 129-140.

D Nagesh Kumar, IISc, Bangalore

M8L6