Optimization of Area-Reduction Method Parameters for Sediment Distribution in Dam Reservoirs Using Ants Colony Algorithm (Case Study: Karaj Dam)

Area-Reduction method is one of the experimental methods to determine sediment distribution in dam reservoirs. In this method reservoir on the base of geometrically are divided into four types, and sediment distribution in each reservoir type are on the base of the parameter that is given in each reservoir type. Results and researches were shown that in many cases; determining the type of reservoir with the Borland and Miller method didn’t lead to high accuracy. So, determining the optimized coefficient for Area-Reduction method can increase accuracy of sediment distribution prediction in this method. In this study initially a computer model based on Area-Reduction method was provided by using MATLAB software, then optimize model was prepared by using Ant Colony algorithm and this two models were combined. Best coefficients of Area-Reduction method for Karaj Dam were achieved by using this model. Results were shown that there was a significant increase in accuracy of sediment prediction using optimal parameters. Using the optimal parameters, values of objective function reduced up to 68.41%.