# No-Deposition Sediment Transport in Sewers Using Gene Expression Programming

Document Type : Regular Article

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1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

The deposition of flow suspended particles has always been a problematic case in the process of flow transmission through sewers. Deposition of suspended materials decreases transmitting capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to have a method capable of precisely evaluating the flow velocity in order to prevent deposition. In this paper, using Gene-Expression Programming, a model is presented which properly predicts sediment transport in sewer. In order to present Gene-Expression Programming model, firstly parameters which are effective on velocity are surveyed and considering each and every of them, six different models are presented. Among the presented models the best is being selected. The results show that using verification criteria, the presented model presents the results as Root Mean Squared Error, RMSE=0.12 and Mean Average Percentage Error, MAPE=2.56 for train and RMSE=0.14 and MAPE=2.82 for verification. Also, the model presented in this study was compared with the other existing sediment transport equations which were obtained using nonlinear regression analysis.

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{1. Introduction} \noindent Transmitting flow through sewage channel is often accompanied by solid materials. Sediment deposition takes place because of solid materials wide range entry into the sewer as well as the intermittent and variable nature of flow regimes within the sewer. Therefore, the management of sediment transport in sewers is considered one of the most important items in sewer designing and operation. During wet weather flow, the flow rate is enough to suspend the solid sediments. Solid materials deposition in sewers takes place especially in low flow rate cases such as the beginning of the layout period, low consumption hours or warm seasons of the year. Permanent deposition on the pipe bed causes cross-sectional variation and bed roughness and therefore velocity, and shear stress distribution change and sewer hydraulic resistance consequently influences sediment transport capacity and finally causes operation maintenance cost increments. In order to convey minimum entry flow into the sewer, the slope ought to be as much to be able to prevent sediment deposition, or for a fixed channel slope, the minimum transmitting flow rate shall be as much to be able to transport solid materials. In addition, to design the velocity that is somehow capable of transmitting no-deposition solid materials, pipe diameter shall be selected in a way that transmitting maximum flow rate becomes possible. \noindent Therefore, methods are needed to manage deposit transmission in a way that the transmitting flow would be capable of cleansing deposited sediments. Also, hand design process needs to be economical and optimized [1]. The traditional method of designing sewage channels to prevent sediment deposition in the flow uses minimum velocity or minimum shear stress. In this method, sewer designing was done by presenting a fixed velocity or minimum shear stress at a determined flow depth or specified period. For example, ASCE [2] proposes the constant velocity for full and semi-full flow equal to 0.6 m/s for sanitary sewer and 0.9 m/s for storm sewer. British Standard [3] proposes 0.75 m/s for full flow and storm sewer and 1 m/s for combined sewer. European Standard [4] considers the constant velocity for pipes with diameters less than 300 mm equal to 0.7 m/s. While this criterion has not presented any suggestion for larger diameter pipes, flow conditions are not denoted in this standard. Also, for constant shear stress criterion, ASCE [2] has proposed shear stress within the range of 1.3 to 12.6 N/m${}^{2}$${}^{,} and Lysne [5] has proposed shear stress between 2 to 4 N/m{}^{2}. Therefore, we can conclude that velocity or minimum shear stress values are not equal in different conditions and countries. This is related to implemented experiments, size of sediments in a different region and other parameters. So, in order to determine self-cleansing velocity, one has to achieve factors effective on sediment transport such as sediment concentration and size, flow hydraulic depth or radius, pipe roughness, and diameter, so that the designer can achieve minimum required velocity according to regional conditions. \noindent To survey sediment transmission in the no-deposition case within sewers, sediment transport has been presented in two general ways: using dimensional analysis and semi-experimental relations. In order to present sediment transport relations with the use of dimensional analysis, dimensionless parameters are determined after implementing various experiments and studying the effect of effective parameters on sediment transport, and finally, sediment transport relations are presented. In order to present semi-experimental relations with the use of effective forces exerted on a particle in an equilibrium state, relations are presented. Using dimensional analysis, presented relations are given in three different states. The first approach evaluates densimetric Froude Number (\textit{Fr}) with the use of volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C{}_{V}}), relative flow depth (\textit{d/R}) and overall sediment friction factor (\textit{\lambda$${}_{s}$}) [6--9]. The second approach calculates \textit{Fr} similar to the first case, but the difference is that in this approach in addition to the presented parameter in the first case, dimensionless particle number (\textit{D${}_{gr}$}) is also used [10--13]. The third approach of the presented relations which uses dimensional analysis evaluates Fr by using volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C${}_{V}$}) and flow proportional depth (\textit{d/R} or \textit{d/y}) [11,14,15]. Semi-experimental relations are also presented in different ways and will be briefly presented. May [16] obtained his model of bed load transport based on effective loads which are exerted on particles transmitted at the limit of deposition. Using dimensional analysis, the author simplified the theoretical model in order to present his model and fit it with experimental data. May et al. [17] modified the relation of May [16] by using seven different sets of data. This relation is considered as the best sediment transport relation at the limit of deposition, which is achieved semi-experimentally [18]. Correcting the relation by Ackers and White [19] and in order to consider flow cross section form in pipes, Ackers [20] presented his relation. May [17] presented his relation in a semi-experimental way to transport at the limit of deposition based on effective shear stress on the sediments surface. To develop a new practical methodology for sewer, a comprehensive research project conducted in the UK based on available experimental knowledge. The results of this project were offered by Butler et al. [21]. The harvest of this study is presented as a self-cleansing sewer design methodology based on a new definition of self-cleansing. The authors considered an efficient self-cleansing sewer which has sediment transport capacity by considering a minimum amount of deposited bed to balance between consolidated expenses of construction, operation, and maintenance. Banasiak [22] investigated the behavior of non-cohesive and partly cohesive deposited sediment in a partially full sewer pipes and its effect on the hydraulic performance of sewer. They found the presence of cohesive- like beds is more desirable than granular ones in terms of the bed roughness. Because the attendance of fine sediments as deposited sediment results in partly cohesive deposited solids so that decrease or in such cases prevent bed forms development. Ota and Perrusquia [23] conducted several experimental tests in two sewer pipes at the limit of deposition condition to the measurement of sediment particle and sphere velocity. As regards, sediment transport depends on sediment repose angle; the authors developed a new semi-theoretical equation based on a reclaimed non-dimensional bed shear stress. Safari et al. [24] carried out a series of experiment tests on trapezoidal channel cross-section. Using these samples and collected a wide range of experimental data of U-shape, rectangular and circular channel cross sections from the literature, the authors developed a self-cleansing model based on the definition of a shape factor to consider the effect of channel cross section. \noindent In recent years, using soft computing (SC) in different sciences has led to desirable results [25--29]. To overcome the uncertainty and complexity accompanied with bed load sediment transport estimation in sewers, Azamathulla et al. [13] presented multi-nonlinear regression-based model and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS). They found that the offered ANFIS model could employ as a strength alternative tool in sediment transport prediction at the clean pipe. Ebtehaj and Bonakdari [30] evaluated the performance of artificial neural network (ANN) in the estimation of sediment transport using self-cleaning concept. They found the superior results of ANN in compared with existing regression-based methods. Ebtehaj and Bonakdari [31] employed two different algorithms; back-propagation (BP) and hybrid of back-propagation and least-square (BP-LS); to train ANFIS in predicting of sediment transport in sewers. Moreover, to the generation of fuzzy inference systems (FIS), sub-clustering (SC) and grid partitioning (GP) were utilized. Based on these methods, they introduced four different methods of ANFIS training. The results illustrated that a combination of GP and Hybrid results in the most precise sediment transport prediction. \noindent All computational methods have different advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of problems, the decision on whether or not to use it. In ANN, the learning and computations are easy, but the major drawbacks of this approach are as arriving at the local minimum, less generalizing performance, over-fitting problem and slow convergence speed. Moreover, attaining the optimal structure of a constructed ANN is not simple [32]. The main shortcoming of fuzzy logic (FL) is in finding the shape of each variable, and suitable membership functions are untangled by trial and error [33,34]. To overcome the disadvantage of ANN and fuzzy logic, ANFIS has been introduced which are known as a most popular strong SC tool. ANFIS is an adaptive fuzzy system which allows to the utilization of ANN topology with FL simultaneously. It not only contains the features of both approaches but also removes some shortcomings of their lonely-utilized case. Indeed, ANFIS consists of ANN advantages such as understanding mathematical details is not obligate and acquaintance with the job data is enough, employed different algorithm within learning course and solving nonlinear complex problems with strong capacity [35]. Moreover, the advantages of ANFIS in comparison with ANN have attained highly nonlinear mapping, better learning capacity, and involves fewer tunable parameters. However, the most constraints in ANFIS are more complex than FIS, not exist for all types of FIS [32] and there is no law for tuning the membership functions. \noindent In addition to these drawbacks, the main problem in both of ANN and ANFIS is the existence of a black-box and don't provide a certain equation to apply in practical applications. Therefore, it needs to a technique to overcome this shortcoming. One of the newest presented models in soft computing topic is Gene Expression Programming (GEP). The main shortcomings of this method are premature convergence due to the derivation of this method from genetic programming and genetic algorithm, preservation of best individual based on roulette-wheel selection method with elitism so that results in losing other better individuals [36] and CPU time-consuming. Azamathulla and Ab. Ghani [37] predicted pipeline scoured depth with the use of GEP and concluded that in comparison with existing models, the presented model provides better results. Khan et al. [38] used GEP to predict bridge pier scour. The authors compared their presented model with artificial neural network and regression relations and concluded that the presented model leads to more satisfactory results when compared to existing models. Chang et al. [39] compared three different methods available in soft computing, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, feed-forward neural network, and GEP, to survey bed load in the rivers. Azamathulla and Ahmad [40] used GEP model to predict transverse mixing coefficient in open channels flow. Using laboratory results mostly, the authors presented a relation to estimate transverse mixing coefficient which presented the results with more precession compared with the existing relations. With the use of Gene-Expression Programming (GEP) in this study, sediment transport in sewerage channels has been studied. The presented model is applicable to the no-deposition case. \noindent To increase the accuracy of the presented model in this study -- in comparison with the existing models [41] which only used the four basic mathematical operations multiplication, subtraction, division, and addition -- various functions which can be seen in Table 1 were used. Firstly, considering the effective parameter on sediment transport, six different models have been presented. Comparing the presented models with data sets which were not used in presenting models, the best model has been selected. To assess the accuracy of the models presented through GEP algorithm versus the existing equations, the experimental results of Ota and Nalluri [14] which had no role in the training of the GEP were used. \noindent \section{2. Non-deposition sediment transport equations} \noindent May et al. [17], with the use of seven different data sets [11,12,42--46] studied the existing sediment transport relations. Laboratory data was used to evaluate these relations. Results of studying the relations showed that each relation presents good results only for data sets which have been used for relation presenting, thus in order to present a relation for sediment transport studying at the limit of deposition, they presented following relation: $$\label{GrindEQ__1_} {\it C}_{{\it V}} ={\it 3.03}\times {\it 10}^{-{\it 2}} {\it (}\frac{{\it D}^{{\it 2}} }{{\it A}} {\it )(}\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} {\it )}^{{\it 0.6}} {\it (}\frac{{\it V}^{{\it 2}} }{{\it g(s}-{\it 1)D}} {\it )}^{{\it 1.5}} {\it (1}-\frac{{\it V}_{{\it t}} }{{\it V}} {\it )}^{{\it 4}}$$ $$\label{GrindEQ__2_} {\it V}_{{\it t}} ={\it 0.125[g(s}-{\it 1)d]}^{{\it 0.5}} {\it [}\frac{{\it y}}{{\it d}} {\it ]}^{{\it 0.47}}$$ where \textit{C${}_{V}$} is volumetric sediment concentration, \textit{D} pipe diameter, \textit{A} Cross-sectional area of the flow, \textit{d} median diameter of particle size, \textit{g} gravitational acceleration, \textit{s} specific gravity of sediment (=\textit{$\rho$${}_{s}/\rho}), \textit{V} flow velocity, \textit{V{}_{t} }the required velocity for incipient motion of sediment (Eq. 2) and \textit{y} flow depth. \noindent In order to sediment transport at the limit of deposition Ackers et al. [18] considered the above relation as the best existing relation for designing usage and Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] too used Eq. 1 for verification of his relation. Considering volumetric sediment consideration (\textit{C{}_{V}}) and relative flow depth (\textit{d/R}), Ebtehaj et al. [47] presented the \textit{Fr} in the form of following relations: $$\label{GrindEQ__3_} {\it Fr}=\frac{{\it V}}{\sqrt{{\it g(s}-{\it 1)d}} } ={\it 4.49C}_{{\it V}} ^{{\it 0.21}} \left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)^{-{\it 0.54}}$$ Ab. Ghani and Azamathulla [41] used GEP to predict the bed load transport in sewers. The authors presented their equation by considering the parameters of volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C{}_{V}}), the relative depth of flow (\textit{d/R}), dimensionless particle number (\textit{D{}_{gr}}) and Overall sediment friction factor (\textit{\lambda$${}_{s}$=1.13D${}_{gr}$${}^{0.01}C{}_{V}$${}^{0.02}$$\lambda$${}_{C}$${}^{0.98}}, \textit{\lambda$${}_{C}$} clear water friction factor) as follows: $$\label{GrindEQ__4_} \frac{{\it V}}{\sqrt{{\it gd(s}-{\it 1)}} } ={\it 1.425}+\left(\frac{-{\it 0.41}}{{\it (}\frac{{\it R}}{{\it d}} {\it )}} \right)+\left(\frac{\frac{{\it C}_{{\it V}} }{{\it 5.91}} -{\it 1}}{{\it D}_{{\it gr}} } \right)+\left(\frac{{\it 0.014}}{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} } +{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} -{\it 8.43\lambda }_{{\it s}} ^{{\it 1.5}} {\it D}_{{\it gr}} \frac{{\it R}}{{\it d}} \right)$$ \section{3. Data Collection} \noindent In this research, a combination of the\textbf{ }lab test results by Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] and Ota and Nalluri [14] was used. The model is proposed using experimental results presented by Vongvisessomjai et al. [15], and the results of lab experiments are used to verify the feasibility of the model proposed by Ota and Nalluri [14]. Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] conducted their tests on pipes in two sizes of 100 and 150 mm in diameter and 16 m in length. They employed two sections to measure the flow: one at a distance of 4. 5 m upstream, and the other at the distance of 5.5 m downstream. These two points were 6 m apart. In each section the velocities were measured at flow surface, middle depth and near bottom and their mean average were taken as the average velocity. For the air/water phase of the flow, the Manning coefficient of roughness (\textit{n}) was equal to 0.0125. Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] tests were conducted in a non-deposited bed\textbf{ }state. More details are given in Vongvisessomjai et al. [15]. To validate the accuracy of results presented in this article, Ota and Nalluri [14] data were used for a limit of deposition. For the purpose of their tests at the limit of deposition, Ota and Nalluri [14] used six different dimensions of d (ranging from 0.71 mm to 5.61 mm). They conducted 24 tests in total. Moreover, to test the impact of granulation on sediment transport, they conducted 20 further experiments using five different ranges of sediments with an average diameter of d = 2 mm. More details are given in Ota and Nalluri [14]. Table 1 shows the range of the data used in their tests. \noindent \textbf{Table 1.} Range of data in Ota and Nalluri [14] and Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] studies \begin{tabular}{|p{1.2in}|p{0.6in}|p{0.6in}|p{0.6in}|p{0.6in}|p{0.5in}|} \hline ~ & \textit{y/D} & \textit{V} (m/s) & \textit{R} (m) & \textit{C${}_{V}$}${}_{ }$(ppm) & \textit{d} (mm) \\ \hline Ota and Nalluri (1999) & 0.39-0.84 & 0.515-0736 & 0.005-0.076 & 16-59 & 0.6-6.3 \\ \hline Vongvisessomjai et al. (2010) & 0.2-0.4 & 0.24-0.63 & 0.012-0.032 & 4 to 90 & 0.2-0.43 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \noindent \section{4. Overview of Gene Expression Programming} \noindent Gene expression programming (GEP) is an expansion of genetic programming (GP) [48]. GEP belongs to the family of evolutionary algorithms and is closely related to genetic algorithms and genetic programming. From genetic algorithms it inherited the linear chromosomes of fixed length, and from genetic programming, it inherited the expressive parse trees of varied sizes and shapes [49]. The GEP procedure is such that initially required functions for model creation and terminal set are being selected. In the next step, in order to evaluate the aimed parameter (in this study \textit{Fr}) and comparing it with the real value, existing data sets are being recalled. Afterward, in order to randomly present the initial population, chromosomes are being produced. In the next step, for population mass production with the use of existing chromosomes, the program is run, and the fitness of target function is surveyed. If we arrive at pause conditions, the program is stopped, otherwise with the use of new chromosomes - which have been corrected via genetic operators - as well as new population; again target function is being evaluated. This action continues until program pause conditions are present. \noindent The fitness of an individual program (\textit{i}) for fitness model (\textit{j}) has been presented by Ferreira [50] in the following form: $$\label{GrindEQ__5_} If_{}^{} E(ij)\le p,_{}^{} then_{}^{} _{}^{} f_{(ij)} =1,_{}^{} else_{}^{} _{}^{} f_{(ij)} =0$$ Where \textit{p} precision and \textit{E(ij)} the error of program \textit{i} for fitness case (\textit{j}). For the absolute error, it is being stated as in the following the form: $$\label{GrindEQ__6_} {\it E(ij)}=\left|{\it p}_{{\it (ij)}} -{\it T}_{{\it j}} \right|$$ Also, the fitness value (\textit{f${}_{i}$}) for an individual program is stated in the following form: $$\label{GrindEQ__7_} {\it f}_{{\it i}_{} } =\sum _{}^{}{\it (R}-{\it |p}_{{\it (ij)}} -{\it T}_{{\it j}} {\it )}$$ where \textit{R} is selection range, \textit{p${}_{(}$${}_{ij}$${}_{)}$}${}_{ }$the predicted value by the individual program (\textit{i}) for fitness case (\textit{j}) and \textit{T${}_{j}$}${}_{ }$the target value for fitness case (\textit{j}). After fitness function determination, the terminal set (\textit{T}) and function set (\textit{F}) have to be determined in order to select chromosomes. \noindent \section{5. Methodology} \noindent In order to survey sediment transport in pipes, effective parameters on flow and sediment particles movement have to be recognized. According to laboratory studies by researchers [12,15,17], the most important surveyed and utilized parameters to present their relations, include parameters like flow velocity (\textit{V}), dimensionless particles number (\textit{D${}_{gr}$}), volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C${}_{V}$}), median diameter of particles size (\textit{d}), pipe diameter (\textit{D}), flow depth (\textit{y}), hydraulic radius (\textit{R}), cross-sectional area of the flow (\textit{A}), overall sediment friction factor (\textit{$\lambda$${}_{s}}) and special gravity of sediment (\textit{s}). Thus dimensionless parameters could be considered in the form of movement, transport, sediment, transport mode, and flow resistance. Movement parameters are respectively stated as densimetric Froude number (\textit{Fr}) or (\textit{\psi}) which uses shear stress instead of velocity. Transport parameter contains volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C{}_{V}}) or the presented transport parameter (\textit{\varphi}), dimensionless particle number (\textit{D{}_{gr}}), proportional average size of particles (\textit{d/D}) and specific gravity of sediment (\textit{s}). Transport form parameter includes the ratio of hydraulic radius to the median diameter of particles size (\textit{R/d}), the ratio of squared pipe diameter to the flow cross-sectional area (\textit{D{}^{2}/A}), relative flow depth (\textit{y/d}) - instead of which usually \textit{R/d }is being used - and the flow resistance parameter that considers flow overall frictional coefficient (\textit{\lambda$${}_{s}$}). Based on these explanations, in order to study the effect of each and every parameter in different dimensionless groups, dimensionless parameters can be presented in order to predict \textit{Fr} in the form of Table 2. \noindent \textbf{Table 2.} Dimensionless sediment transport parameters in clean pipes \begin{tabular}{|p{1.4in}|p{1.6in}|} \hline Dimensionless groups & Parameter type \\ \hline ${\it Fr}=\frac{{\it V}}{\sqrt{{\it gd(s}-{\it 1)}} } {\it ,}\frac{{\it 1}}{{\it \psi }} =\frac{{\it \tau }_{{\it 0}} }{{\it \rho g(s}-{\it 1)d}}$ & Movement \\ \hline ${\it C}_{{\it V}} {\it ,\phi }=\frac{{\it C}_{{\it V}} {\it VR}}{\sqrt{{\it g(s}-{\it 1)d}^{{\it 3}} } }$ & Transport \\ \hline ${\it D}_{{\it gr}} {\it ,d/D,s}$ & Sediment \\ \hline ${\it d/R,D}^{{\it 2}} {\it /A,d/y,y/D}$ & Transport mode \\ \hline ${\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} {\it ,(k}_{{\it 0}} -{\it k}_{{\it s}} {\it )/D}$ & Flow resistance \\ \hline \end{tabular} \noindent It is necessary to use different statistical indexes to verify the feasibility of the proposed model. The statistical indexes used in this study include dimensionless coefficient criteria called R-Squared (\textit{R${}^{2}$}), the relative criteria of Mean Average Percentage Error (\textit{MAPE}) and absolute criteria of Root Mean Squared Error (\textit{RMSE}). The R-Squared (\textit{R${}^{2}$}) index is the ratio of the combined dispersion of the estimated model and the observed value to the dispersion of the estimated and observed models. The \textit{MAPE} expresses the estimated value in relation to the observed value. \textit{MAPE} is a non-negative index which has no higher limit. The \textit{RMSE} is a criterion of mean error that has no upper limit and has the lowest possible value of zero, representing the best estimation by the model. $$\label{GrindEQ__8_} {\it R}^{{\it 2}} =\left[\frac{\sum _{{\it i}={\it 1}}^{{\it n}}\left({\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } -\overline{{\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } }\right)\left({\it Fr}_{{\it GEP}_{{\it i}} } -\overline{{\it Fr}_{{\it GEP}_{{\it i}} } }\right) }{\sqrt{\sum _{{\it i}={\it 1}}^{{\it n}}\left({\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } -\overline{{\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } }\right)^{{\it 2}} \sum _{{\it i}={\it 1}}^{{\it n}}\left({\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } -\overline{{\it Fr}_{{\it GEP}_{{\it i}} } }\right)^{{\it 2}} } } \right]^{{\it 2}}$$ $$\label{GrindEQ__9_} {\it RMSE}=\sqrt{\frac{{\it 1}}{{\it n}} \sum _{{\it i}={\it 1}}^{{\it n}}{\it (Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } -{\it Fr}_{{\it GEP}_{{\it i}} } {\it )}^{{\it 2}} }$$ $$\label{GrindEQ__10_} {\it MAPE}={\it (}\frac{{\it 100}}{{\it n}} {\it )}\sum _{{\it i}={\it 1}}^{{\it n}}{\it (}\frac{{\it |Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } -{\it Fr}_{{\it GEP}_{{\it i}} } {\it |}}{{\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } } {\it )}$$ The indexes mentioned above present the estimated amounts as the average of the forecasted error and do not present any information on the forecasted error distribution of the suggested models. It is obvious that a high correlation coefficient (80- 90\%) is not always considered as an indication of the high accuracy of a model; on the contrary, this index may lead to showing high accuracy for mediocre models [51]. In addition, \textit{RMSE} index indicates the model's ability to predict a value away from the mean [52]. Therefore, the presented model must be evaluated using other indexes such as average absolute relative error (\textit{AARE}) and threshold statistics [53--56]. \textit{TS${}_{x}$ }index indicates forecasted error distribution by each model for \textit{x}\% of the anticipations. This parameter is determined for various amounts of average absolute relative error. The amount of the \textit{TS} index for \textit{x}\% of the predictions is determined as explained below: $$\label{GrindEQ__10_} {\it TS}_{{\it x}} =\frac{{\it Y}_{{\it x}} }{{\it n}} \times {\it 100}$$ $$\label{GrindEQ__11_} {\it AARE}=\left(\frac{{\it 1}}{{\it n}} \right)\sum _{{\it i}={\it 1}}^{{\it n}}\left(\frac{{\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } -{\it Fr}_{{\it GEP}_{{\it i}} } }{{\it Fr}_{{\it EXP}_{{\it i}} } } \right)$$ Where \textit{Y${}_{x}$} is the number of the forecasted amounts of all the data for each amount of \textit{AARE} is less than \textit{x}\%. \noindent \section{6. Derivation of densimetric Froude number based on GEP} \noindent This section concentrates on GEP method to calculate densimetric Froude number (\textit{Fr}). The training set must be selected from amongst all the existing data to present a model. To that end, the data presented by Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] was selected as training set, and the data presented by Ota and Nalluri [14] was selected as a testing set. The training environment of the system has been defined after selecting the training set. After classifying the data, various parameters must be defined to make a model. To ,create the generation the initial population of the individuals, multi-genic chromosomes, are used which include four genes. We must now determine the number of the initial population. Considering Ferreira's [49] suggestion stating that using the size population within the range of 30- 100 can lead to good results, the size of the used population includes 50 chromosomes in this study which was selected through trial and error. After selecting the population size, the individuals are evaluated, and their fitness function is calculated using \textit{MSE} as follows: $$\label{GrindEQ__12_} f_{i} =\frac{1000}{1+E_{i} } _{}^{} _{}^{} for_{}^{} _{}^{} E_{i} =P_{ij} -O_{j}$$ Where \textit{Q${}_{ij}$} is the amount observed for fitness case, and \textit{P${}_{ij}$} is the amount predicted by using i individual chromosome for fitness case j. The best state is when the equation \textit{E${}_{ij}$}= 0 is obtained. This means that the amounts predicted using i individual chromosome for fitness case j is equal to the amount observed for fitness case j (\textit{P${}_{ij}$= E${}_{ij}$}). The set of terminals and the set of the function must be determined for each gene in the chromosome after selecting fitness function. The function sets used in this study include $\{$$\times, -, \div, \times, \textit{Gau2}\} while the set of terminals are as follows: $$\label{GrindEQ__13_} {\it T}=\left\{{\it F}_{{\it r}} {\it ,C}_{{\it V}} {\it ,D}_{{\it gr}} {\it ,}\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} {\it ,}\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} {\it ,}\frac{{\it D}^{{\it 2}} }{{\it A}} {\it ,}\frac{{\it R}}{{\it D}} {\it ,\lambda }_{{\it s}} \right\}$$ Afterward, the number of genes and their head and tail length must be determined for each gene in the chromosome. By using trial and error and the succeeding rate, four genes were selected in the present study in each chromosome. The head length was selected to be 5 (\textit{h}=5), and while the maximum number of arguments per function is equal to 2 (\textit{n{}_{max}}= 2), the length of the tail turns out to be equal to 6 (\textit{t}= 5 \times (2-1) +1). The genetic operator rate must now be determined. Genetic operators such as mutation, inversion, transportation (IS, RIS, gene transportation), recombination and crossover (one point, two points, and gene recombination) were used. The rates of the mentioned parameters are presented in Table 3. We must finally determine the linking function. Considering the fact that using four different sub-expressions in this study has led to having four genes, the genes must be bound for us to reach the final result. Therefore, \{+\} operator has been used as the linking function among the genes in this study. Simulating the model begins after determining the essential parameters. \textit{Gau2\{x, y\}} function presented in Table 2 returns \textit{exp (-(x+ y){}^{2})} amount. \noindent \textbf{Table 3.} Parameters of GEP model \begin{tabular}{|p{1.3in}|p{1.8in}|} \hline Parameter & Setting \\ \hline Population size & 50 \\ \hline Number of generations & 250000 \\ \hline Number of chromosomes & 50 \\ \hline Number of genes & 4 \\ \hline function set & \times, -, \div, \times, Gau2 \\ \hline Linking function & Addition \\ \hline Mutation rate & 0.03 \\ \hline Inversion rate & 0.15 \\ \hline IS transposition rate & 0.1 \\ \hline RIS transposition rate & 0.1 \\ \hline Gene transposition rate & 0.15 \\ \hline One-point recombination rate & 0.3 \\ \hline Two-point recombination rate & 0.3 \\ \hline Gene recombination rate & 0.15 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \noindent \section{7. Result and Discussion} \noindent To study sediment transport, different parameters in no-deposition stage and to present a model which could estimate the best results in comparison with actual values, dimensionless parameters in Table 2 have been used. As considered in this table, dimensionless parameters that effect on the sediment transport in no-deposition mode are categorized into five groups. In order to present a model, the effect of four groups of transport, deposition, and transport form and flow resistance on movement group was surveyed. Thus, six different models are listed in Table 4. In the presented models, volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C{}_{V}}) which is related to transport dimensionless group and overall sediment frictional coefficient (\textit{\lambda$${}_{s}$}) which is related to flow resistance dimensionless group have been considered constant. For sediment group \textit{D${}_{gr}$} and \textit{d/D} parameters and transport form group, \textit{d/R}¡ \textit{D${}^{2}$/A} and \textit{y/D} have been considered. \noindent \textbf{Table 4.} Dependent parameters in predicting \textit{Fr} considering the effect of dimensionless group parameters \begin{tabular}{|p{0.3in}|p{0.5in}|p{0.9in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.4in}|p{0.4in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.4in}|p{0.4in}|} \hline Model & Dependent & Independent & \multicolumn{3}{|p{1.1in}|}{Train} & \multicolumn{3}{|p{1.1in}|}{Test} \\ \hline & parameter & parameters & R${}^{2}$ & MAPE & RMSE & R${}^{2}$ & MAPE & RMSE \\ \hline 1 & \textit{Fr} & \textit{C${}_{V}$, D${}_{gr}$, d/R, $\lambda$${}_{s}} & 0.98 & 2.66 & 0.16 & 0.96 & 2.94 & 0.12 \\ \hline 2 & \textit{Fr} & \textit{C{}_{V}, D{}_{gr}, D{}^{2}/A, \lambda$${}_{s}$} & 0.89 & 6.58 & 0.73 & 0.81 & 11.09 & 0.30 \\ \hline 3 & \textit{Fr} & \textit{C${}_{V}$, D${}_{gr}$, y/D, $\lambda$${}_{s}} & 0.89 & 5.33 & 0.53 & 0.90 & 7.84 & 0.32 \\ \hline 4 & \textit{Fr} & \textit{C{}_{V}, d/D, d/R, \lambda$${}_{s}$} & \textbf{\underbar{0.99}} & \textbf{\underbar{2.56}} & \textbf{\underbar{0.12}} & \textbf{\underbar{0.99}} & \textbf{\underbar{2.82}} & \textbf{\underbar{0.14}} \\ \hline 5 & \textit{Fr} & \textit{C${}_{V}$, d/D, D${}^{2}$/A, $\lambda$${}_{s}} & 0.92 & 5.70 & 0.65 & 0.85 & 9.39 & 0.27 \\ \hline 6 & \textit{Fr} & \textit{C{}_{V}, d/D, y/D, \lambda$${}_{s}$} & 0.97 & 2.94 & 0.20 & 0.96 & 3.05 & 0.19 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \noindent Table 3 shows sextet presented models with the use of Table 1. In order to present models, laboratory results by Vongvisessomjai et al. [15] have been utilized. After presenting different models to evaluate the estimated results, via each model, the \textit{Fr} has been surveyed with the use of Ota and Nalluri [14] laboratory results. According to verification criteria presented in Table 3, model 4 which uses volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C${}_{V}$}), relative flow depth (\textit{d/R}), proportional average size of particles (\textit{d/D}) and overall frictional factor (\textit{$\lambda$${}_{s}}) to estimate \textit{Fr }delivers the best result. The \textit{MAPE} index in \textit{Fr} evaluation with the use of this model is about 2.56\% for the test, and 2.82\% for train and \textit{RMSE} is 0.12 for train and 0.14 for the test. It is considered that the effect of data sets alternations on the precision of this model is about less than 1\%. Other presented models in this table, compared to the mode with train data, show better results than test data, and this is an indication that using these models (models 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) would not be trustworthy. Therefore, it could be said that to present a model which could well estimate \textit{Fr} in a sewer at the limit of deposition state, effective parameters can be considered like model 4 in Table 3. This means that using \textit{C{}_{V}} as transport parameter, \textit{d/R} as transport form parameter, \textit{d/D}as sediment parameter, and \textit{\lambda$${}_{s}$} as flow resistance parameter in \textit{Fr} evaluation, leads to good results. The presented equation through using the parameters of model 4 and expression tree presented in Figure 1 can be presented as follows. The amounts of the parameters presented in this figure have been shown in Table 5. $$\label{GrindEQ__14_} \begin{array}{l} {{\it F}r=\left[\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} -\left(\left({\it 89.66}-\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)\right)-\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)\right)+\frac{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} -\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)}{{\it C}_{{\it V}} +\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)} \right]+\left[\frac{{\it 33.1}\times {\it C}_{{\it V}} \times \left(\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+{\it 15.45}\right)}{\frac{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} }{{\it 4.23}} +\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)-\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)} \right]+} \\ {\left[\frac{{\it C}_{{\it V}} }{\frac{\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} +{\it 67}\times {\it C}_{{\it V}} }{\frac{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} }{\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)} +{\it 132.42}} } \right]+\left[{\it exp}\left(-\left({\it C}_{{\it V}} -{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} +\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)\right)^{{\it 2}} \right)\times \left(\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+{\it 92.4}\right)+\left(\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+\frac{-{\it 5.9}}{{\it 9.54}} \right)\right]} \end{array}$$ We can rewrite the above-mentioned formula as follows: $$\label{GrindEQ__15_} \begin{array}{l} {{\it F}r=\left[{\it 2}\times \left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)-{\it 89.66}+\frac{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} -\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)}{{\it C}_{{\it V}} +\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)} \right]+\left[\frac{{\it 33.1}\times {\it C}_{{\it V}} \times \left(\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+{\it 15.45}\right)}{\frac{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} }{{\it 4.23}} +\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it R}} \right)-\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)} \right]+} \\ {\left[\frac{{\it C}_{{\it V}} \times \frac{{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} }{\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)} +{\it 132.42}}{\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+{\it 67}\times {\it C}_{{\it V}} } \right]+\left[{\it exp}\left(-\left({\it C}_{{\it V}} -{\it \lambda }_{{\it s}} +\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)\right)^{{\it 2}} \right)\times \left(\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)+{\it 92.4}\right)+\left(\left(\frac{{\it d}}{{\it D}} \right)-{\it 0.62}\right)\right]} \end{array}$$ \includegraphics*[width=5.70in, height=8.75in, keepaspectratio=false]{image1} \noindent \textbf{Fig. 1.} Expression Tree (ET) for GEP formulation \noindent \textbf{Table 5.} Values of the parameters used in ET (Figure 1) \begin{tabular}{|p{0.2in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.2in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.4in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|p{0.3in}|} \hline d0 & d1 & d2 & d3 & G1C5 & G2C2 & G2C0 & G2C5 & G3C8 & G3C6 & G4C7 & G4C0 & G4C6 \\ \hline \textit{C${}_{v}$} & \textit{d/R} & \textit{d/D} & \textit{$\lambda$${}_{s}} & 89.66 & 33.10 & 4.23 & 15.45 & 132.42 & 67.08 & 92.40 & -5.90 & 9.54 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \noindent Figure 2 shows the \textit{Fr} results predicted by model 4 (Eq. 15) in both training and testing stage. Due to the fact that the accuracy of GEP model presented in Table 4 in this research (Eq. 15) has been studied quantitatively for both test (\textit{MAPE}= 2.82 \& \textit{RMSE}= 0.14) and train (\textit{MAPE}= 2.56 \& \textit{RMSE}= 0.12) states, in this figure, we will attend to studying the prediction results of the GEP model. The figure indicates that the forecasted \textit{Fr} which were obtained through using GEP presented fairly good results in both train and test states while almost all estimated amounts have a relative error of less than 10\%. The data used for the purpose of test and train of equation 15 have different ranges of \textit{Fr} in such manner that the \textit{Fr} used in training the model was within the range of 4 to 9 while the \textit{Fr} range used in testing the model is 3 to 6. Therefore, it could be stated that while studying the model accuracy in test state all the \textit{Fr} are not within the range which was used in training the model, thus, considering the qualitative results (Table 4) and quantitative results (Figure 2), it proves the accuracy of the presented results obtained by this equation. \noindent \includegraphics*[width=3.97in, height=3.16in, keepaspectratio=false]{image2} \noindent \textbf{Fig. 2.} Comparison of GEP result for both of train and test stages with actual values \noindent Figure 3 compares the prediction results of \textit{Fr} by using the GEP model presented in this study (Eq. 15) and the existing regression equation with the actual values. The figure shows that the results of the presented predictions using GEP are almost accurate in a way that all forecasted points have an error less than ten percent and taking into consideration Figure 4 which shows the accumulative distribution of the error, we can see that the maximum relative error in estimating \textit{Fr} through using GEP is almost equal to 6 \%. Also, this figure indicates that approximately 90\% of the anticipated amounts have a relative error of less than 5\%. Now in case, we intend to study the results of the presented model through statistical indexes, referring to Table 6 shows us that the amounts of the presented statistical indexes for this model with an \textit{R{}^{2}}= 0.99, \textit{MAPE}= 2.82 and \textit{RMSE}= 0.14 is minimum in an amount in comparison to other equations presented in this table. The equation presented by Ab. Ghani and Azamathulla [41] is less accurate (\textit{R{}^{2}}= 0.74, \textit{MAPE}= 13.18 and \textit{RMSE}= 0.49) considering Table 6 and Figure 4. The figure indicates that in the majority of the points the results are presented with an error more than 10 percent. Figure 4 shows that only 25\% of the amounts estimated by this model have a relative error of less than 10\%. Also, it indicates that some of the \textit{Fr} forecasted by this equation have a relative error of more than 30 percent which indicates the uncertainty of the equation presented by Ab Ghani and Azamathulla [41]. Therefore, using this equation for the purpose of estimating \textit{Fr} cannot be that much confidence. Ebtehaj et al. [47] equation are fairly accurate because it estimates the majority of \textit{Fr} with a less-than-10-percent relative error, but it is less accurate in comparison with the equation presented in this study. This is in a way that considering Figure 4, which indicates the distribution of the estimation error by different models, we can see that approximately 70 percent of the estimation results of this model have an error less than 5\% while for the model presented in this study the predicted amounts have an error of less than 5\% for almost 90\% of the \textit{Fr}. At times, May et al. [17] equation which has been obtained through semi-experimental method and has been known as one of the best sediment transport equations in limit of deposition [15] presents the estimated amounts with a more- than-15\% relative error according to Figure 5 while the equation presented in this study has a maximum relative error of 6\%. Also, considering Figure 6, the amounts of statistical indexes presented by this equation (\textit{R{}^{2}}= 0.93, \textit{MAPE}= 5.74 and \textit{RMSE}= 0.24) indicates lesser estimation accuracy of this equation in comparison with that of the presented equation. \noindent \includegraphics*[width=3.96in, height=3.17in, keepaspectratio=false]{image3} \noindent \textbf{Fig. 3.} Comparison of proposed equation and existing equations \noindent \includegraphics*[width=3.93in, height=3.04in, keepaspectratio=false]{image4} \noindent \textbf{Fig. 4.} Error distribution of for GEP and existing equations \noindent \textbf{Table 6.} Validation of proposed equation and existing equations with statistical indexes \begin{tabular}{|p{1.7in}|p{0.5in}|p{0.5in}|p{0.5in}|} \hline Equation & \textit{R{}^{2}} & \textit{MAPE} & \textit{RMSE} \\ \hline Proposed Equation (Eq. 15) & \textbf{\underbar{0.99}} & \textbf{\underbar{2.82}} & \textbf{\underbar{0.14}} \\ \hline Ab. Ghani and Azamathulla (Eq. 4) & 0.74 & 13.18 & 0.49 \\ \hline Ebtehaj et al. (Eq. 3) & 0.97 & 3.70 & 0.18 \\ \hline May et al. (Eq. 1) & 0.93 & 5.74 & 0.24 \\ \hline \end{tabular} Accordingly, in this study, the effects of GEP model output on the variations of dimensionless particle number (\textit{D{}_{gr}} in this study) were investigated. The discrepancy ratio (\textit{DR}) (ratio of predicted to actual values) was employed to measure the sensitivity of the GEP model to \textit{D{}_{gr} }parameter. A \textit{DR} value of 1 shows a perfect agreement, while values smaller (or greater) than 1 indicate under (or over) prediction of discharge coefficient inside weir. The result of the GEP model for variations of the discrepancy ratio (\textit{DR}) values is plotted versus the dimensionless particle number (\textit{D{}_{gr}}) in Figure 5. The maximum, mean and minimum \textit{DR} values for GEP model were obtained 1.06, 1.005 and 0.93, respectively. As Figure 5 shows it, for almost all the \textit{Fr} estimated, the \textit{DR} is close to 1. When GEP predicts the model using the over design way, the dimensionless particle number will be equal to 1.7 (\textit{DR}= 1.06), and when it uses the under-design way to predict \textit{Fr}, dimensionless particle number is equal to 2.15 (\textit{DR}= 0.93). \noindent \includegraphics*[width=4.35in, height=3.30in, keepaspectratio=false]{image5} \noindent \textbf{Fig. 5.} DR values versus \textit{D{}_{gr}} for GEP model \noindent \noindent Based on explanations given in Figures 3 and 5, and Table 6, the equation presented in this study is more accurate than the existing regression equations. While it is more accurate in studying the estimation accuracy through using statistical indexes, it is also more accurate in studying the estimation error distribution in Figure 4 and can be utilized as a substituting method in \textit{Fr} estimation for sediment transport in no-deposition mode. \noindent \section{8. Conclusion} \noindent Transmitting flow from sewerage systems often contains suspended materials. Therefore, transporting suspended materials and preventing their sedimentation are important matters inflow transport through sewerage networks. Different methods have been presented for sediment transport in sewage, but due to the lack of recognition of effective factors on sediment transport, these methods show different results in different conditions. Hence, in recent years, soft computations have been utilized in order to estimate densimetric Froude number (\textit{Fr}) in these systems. In this paper, with the use of the presented model by Gene-expression programming (GEP), \textit{Fr} has been estimated. In order to present the effective factor on \textit{Fr} estimation, six different models were presented. In these models, the effect of movement, transport, sediment, transport mode and flow resistance parameters have been considered. After \textit{Fr} estimation, the precision of all sextet models has been studied. The results indicated that among the three parameters provided by Transport mode'' group, the best and the worst accuracy were achieved by using \textit{d/R} and \textit{D{}^{2}/A} (respectively) as improper use of the parameters of this group, up to two-fold increase relative error. In addition to, Also, with the constant parameters in the groups transport'', flow resistance'' and transport mode'', the parameter \textit{d/D} in all input combinations, leading to better results than when used \textit{D{}_{gr}} as sediment'' parameter. Therefore, it was revealed that the model which considers volumetric sediment concentration (\textit{C{}_{V}}), relative flow depth (\textit{d/R}), proportional average size of particles (\textit{d/D}), overall friction factor (\textit{\lambda$${}_{s}$}) for \textit{Fr} estimation, shows the best results. The presented model estimates \textit{Fr} with an average error value of about 2.82\%. The comparison of existing methods illustrated the high level of accuracy of Ebtehaj \textit{et al.} (Eq. 3) method in comparison with others. It should not be an inappropriate use of GEP functions such as Eq. \eqref{GrindEQ__4_} results in weak performance of the model. The presented model with existing values was also studied, and the results showed that in proportion with existing relations the model well estimates the \textit{Fr}. Incidentally making use of the proposed GEP-based technique in the form of the most superlative formulations has a dominant role to experience in the attaining astonishing and remarkable successes for real-world application. Another plus aspect of this study is the use of extracted mathematical expressions as a realistically valuable technique for practical engineering as an alternative for existing methods. \noindent \section{Notation:} \noindent \textit{A} Cross-sectional area of the flow \noindent \textit{C${}_{V}$} Volumetric sediment concentration \noindent \textit{D} Pipe diameter \noindent \textit{d} Median diameter of particle size \noindent \textit{D${}_{gr}$} Dimensionless particle number \noindent \textit{E${}_{(}$${}_{ij}$${}_{)}$} Error of program \textit{i} for fitness case \textit{j} (Eq. 5) \noindent \textit{Fr} Densimetric Froude number \noindent \textit{P} Precision (Eq. 5) \noindent \textit{P${}_{(}$${}_{ij}$${}_{)}$} Value predicted by individual program i for fitness case j (Eq. 6) \noindent \textit{R} Hydraulic radius, Selection Range (Eq. 6) \noindent \textit{s} Specific gravity of sediment (=\textit{$\rho$${}_{s}/\rho}) \noindent \textit{V} Velocity of flow \noindent \textit{V{}_{t}} Incipient flow velocity which follows from equation \eqref{GrindEQ__2_} \noindent \textit{y} Flow depth \noindent \textit{\lambda$${}_{c}$} Clear Water friction factor \noindent \textit{$\lambda$${}_{s}$} Overall sediment friction factor \noindent \textit{$\psi$} Flow parameter \noindent \textit{$\varphi$} Transport parameter \noindent \end{document}

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### History

• Receive Date: 26 May 2017
• Revise Date: 13 June 2017
• Accept Date: 14 June 2017