Journal des sciences de la Terre et du changement climatique

Abstrait

Identification of Optimal Alignment for a Real-World Canal in India

Chhatrapati Singh, Mohammed Sharif

Optimizing the design of irrigation channels is crucial for the effective distribution of water while considering the cost of earthwork in excavation, which is a major cost in the construction of a canal. Changes in precipitation patterns due to climate change can affect the water availability in canals. Therefore, efforts are needed to ensure the continued functionality and sustainability of canal systems in the face of a changing climate. In this research, a methodology has been presented for identifying the optimal alignment for a canal, focusing on the cost of earthwork in cutting and filling. The practicality of the approach presented herein has been demonstrated through its application to real- world canal in Arjun Sahayak Pariyojna in the Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The objective function in the optimization process is the total cost of excavation including the cost of earthwork in cutting and filling. Four distinct canal alignments were considered and cost of cutting and filling have been computed for each alignment based upon the topography of the ground for different alignments. The methodology presented herein is robust in nature and can be applied with minimal adjustments to determine optimal canal alignments for other canal systems. The present research has the potential to significantly reduce costs in medium to large-scale irrigation projects.