Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology—AQUA Vol 56 No 4 pp 233–244 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/aqua.2007.002

A new theoretical analysis on organizing principles of water supply networks

L. H. Chai and H. B. Li

Structural features of water supply networks remain unresolved despite decades of research. An efficient statistical mechanics method was applied for exploring the water consumption elements interactions, and the self-organized emergence of evolving water supply networks was revealed. Basing upon this new framework, the paper discussed hierarchical structures of fractal growth of water supply networks and their fractal dimensions. The paper made a renewed effort to deepen the theoretical understanding of water network systems, and also has the potential to give important scientific guides to the engineering practice of water supply networks.

Keywords: fractal growth; self-organization; water supply network

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