Author(s): Lina Sela; Lu Xing; Gerardo Riano

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Transient Simulations in Water Networks; burst and leak detection; sensor placement; model calibration; risk assessment

Abstract:

Modeling transient flow conditions in water distribution networks has become increasingly valuable for applications such as burst and leak detection, sensor placement, model calibration, and risk assessment. However, transient modeling remains challenging, as it is often confined to commercial software, limiting accessibility and usability for the broader community. This workshop introduces two open-source Python packages developed by the University of Texas at Austin to address these challenges and facilitate the integration of transient modeling into simulation-based applications. The first package, Transient Simulations in Water Networks (TSNet), utilizes the Method of Characteristics (MOC) to solve the partial differential equations governing unsteady hydraulics, enabling users to simulate various scenarios, including operational changes in valves and pumps, background leaks, and pipe bursts. Building on this foundation, Parallel Transient Simulation in Water Networks (PTSNET) introduces a novel parallel implementation of the MOC for networked systems, leveraging vectorization and distributed parallel computing (DV-MOC) to enhance scalability and computational performance. The workshop will also include a discussion of future directions to improve the accessibility, usability, and long-term support of these tools, as well as how the research community can contribute to advancing and maintaining open-source solutions for transient modeling in water networks.

DOI:

Year: 2025