Darwin Optimization Framework
Darwin Optimization Framework is designed and developed as the general tool for rapid implementation of optimization applications. The framework encapsulates the search algorithms, parallel computing/evaluating possible solutions and constraint handling methods. The core search engines are generalized from three Bentley products Darwin Calibrator and Darwin Designer and Darwin Scheduler as embedded and released as optimization modeling tools of Bentley Water Solution. Darwin framework allows parallel optimization on a single many-core machine and a cluster of many-core machines. It enables user to solve single and multi objective optimization problems with linear, nonlinear, inequity and equity constraints.
The framework relives developers from implementing and integrating the optimization algorithm with an analysis solver, and thus allows developers to focus on defining, formulating and implementing the domain applications. The application can be implemented in a class library, which is built as an independent DLL dynamically loaded at run time. Therefore, Darwin optimization framework enables rapid prototype and implementation of optimization projects.
Darwin Sampler for Hydraulic and Water Quality Modeling
Darwin Sampler is developed to facilitate the sampling design for water distribution modeling. Sampling design is to determine how many locations and where they are in a system to collect field data for calibrating a water distribution model. The field data collection includes, but not limited to, logging the pressures, measuring the hydrant flows and recording the chemical (usually chlorine) concentrations.
Darwin Sampler helps engineers to optimize pressure logger placement, hydrant selection for flow test, network flushing, and water quality sensor and logger placement.
Design Evolution
Bentley Design Evolution (DE) is a plug-in prototype for Bentley Generative Components (GC). It enables Evolutionary Design, an innovative approach for achieving cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions by computationally emulating the process of natural evolution and the key principles of genetic reproduction. Design Evolution employs the Darwin Optimization Framework (DOF), a generic parallel optimization platform based on evolutionary computation, automatically generates and evaluates tens of thousands of the alternative solutions, thus the quality of the design solution is expected to be improved and consequently cost efficiency is maximized. It is effective at handling various design optimization tasks with and without the criteria of the structural finite element analysis and/or building energy analysis. With DE, users are able to select the desirable parameters as the decision variables, connect the implemented GC transactions (dedicated as objectives) with fitness functions and the GC transactions (dedicated as constraints) with the constraint. The optimization run is conducted by invoking DOF and multiple top- or near-optimal solutions are saved for users to further evaluate in GC design environment. Bentley DE plug-in prototype is to be productized with Generative Component and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization projects.
BWN-FIT
BWN-FIT evaluation tool does the following:
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Check the feasibility (nodal pressures and final tank levels) of the BWN solution for normal operation condition over 168 hours.
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Check the feasibility (nodal pressures) of the solution for power outage conditions as specified for BWN-II problem, namely performing 2-hour simulation at each hour of 168 hours with the pumps that are connected with diesel generators only.
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Compute the cost of diesel generators connected to pumps.
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Compute annual pumping cost, annual pumping GHG and the normalized water age (WAnet).