Computer-Based Educational Module for Exploring Genetic Algorithms in Surface Water Systems Analysis
Publication: World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2007: Restoring Our Natural Habitat
Abstract
An interactive educational module has been developed to introduce graduate-level students to genetic algorithms and their applications in surface water systems analysis. The module includes a user-friendly graphical user interface that is used to select genetic algorithm heuristics and parameters and explore their effects on the analysis of an irrigation canal network management problem. The simulation model for the canal network is an unsteady flow model that predicts the response of the water levels in the network to changes in boundary conditions and internal sluice gate operations, as well as irrigation requirements of different crops in the areas served by the network. This model is incorporated into a genetic algorithm-based search framework to find efficient strategies for scheduling gate operations and boundary conditions that address a certain objective (minimizing the amount of water consumed) and constraints (such as preventing flooding and water shortages, maintaining stability of gates, and maintaining adequate water levels at water supply intakes) over a period of time. This module has been developed primarily for use in graduate level water resources systems analysis courses, and is intended to help students visualize and understand the effects of different GA operators, parameters and constraint-handling techniques on the search process and the solution quality. This paper describes the capabilities of this educational module, and demonstrates ways that it can be implemented in a surface water systems analysis course.
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© 2007 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Published online: Apr 26, 2012
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