Network-based optimization modeling of manhole setting for pipeline transportation

This study proposes a network-based methodology for the optimization of manhole setting problem, which is a key component of pipeline transportation. The objective is to minimize the total social cost which involves the construction cost and the maintenance cost including the negative impact of manholes on the ground transportation. We first consider a special model which is efficiently solved by a topological sort-based approach. Later, we build a generic model and prove it to be NP-hard. A metaheuristic method is developed to obtain good-quality solutions. Finally, the models and solution methods are validated by numerical examples.