A Framework for Alternative Formulations of the Pipe Network Equations

The aim of this paper is to revisit the formulations of the equations for flows and heads in water distribution systems and provide clarity for a logical presentation of a framework for the different formulations. Five formulations are described including 1) flow equations where the equations are formulated only in terms of the unknown flows in a network 2) head equations 3) loop flow equations 4) flow and head equations and 5) the Todini and Pilati flow and head formulation. Graph theory is used to show how many unknowns are required to be solved for in each of the five formulations. A Newton solution method is derived for the flow formulation and the Todini and Pilati formulation.