This paper brings an in detail Genetic Algorithm (GA) based combinatorial optimization method used for the optimal design of the water distribution network (WDN) of Gurudeniya Service Zone, Sri Lanka. Genetic Algorithm (GA) mimics the survival of the fittest principle of nature to develop a search process. Methodology employs fuzzy combinations of pipe diameters to check their suitability to be considered as the cost effective optimal design solutions. Furthermore, the hydraulic constraints were implicitly evaluated within the GA itself in its aim to reaching the global optimum solution. Upon analysis, the results of this approach delivered agreeable design outputs. In addition, the comparison made between the results obtained by a previous study inspired by the Honey Bee Mating Optimization (HBMO) Algorithm and results obtained by the GA based approach, proves competency of GA for the optimal design of water distribution network in Gurudeniya Service Zone, Sri Lanka.

翻译：本文详细介绍了基于遗传算法的组合优化方法，用于斯里兰卡古鲁德尼亚服务区供水管网的最优设计。遗传算法模拟自然界适者生存原理，发展出一种搜索过程。该方法采用管径的模糊组合来检验其作为成本效益最优设计方案的适用性。此外，水力约束条件在遗传算法内部被隐式评估，以寻求全局最优解。分析结果表明，该方法产生了令人满意的设计成果。同时，将先前基于蜂群交配优化算法研究的结果与本文基于遗传算法的结果进行比较，证明了遗传算法在斯里兰卡古鲁德尼亚服务区供水管网优化设计中的有效性。