Background

Extreme flow factors are generally used for computing peak discharges, and therefore are typically referred to as peaking factors or peaking equations. However, since they can also be used to compute minimum discharges, the term extreme flow factor is more accurate and will be used throughout the program and documentation.

Steps to Accomplish

Loading in SewerCAD is done through the Sanitary Load Control Center. Patterns can be applied are generally used for Extended Period Simulations (EPS). With Steady State runs using Unit Loading, a user will want to look at the peak flow to get a conservative analysis of system. That is where Extreme Flow Factors come in.

To begin, you need to set up the Extreme Flow. To do this, go to Components > Extreme Flow Setups.

To create a new Extreme Flow Setup, click the New button in the upper left. When you do this, a row will be added for each Unit Load associated with the model. You have the option to use a given load by placing a check box in the Use column. The other columns include the Extreme Flow Method and a couple of multipler options.

There are a couple of options available to the extreme flow method. If you leave the Extreme Flow Method column set to "None" you can enter a constant. This is the multipler that will be used on the loading derive from the Unit Load in the Sanitary Loading Control Center. However, you also have the ability to use one of several Extreme Flow Methods.

To create these, go to Components > Extreme Flows, or click the ellipsis button in the Extreme Flow Method cell in the Extreme Flow Setups dialog. Click the New button and choose from one of the four methods available

If you choose the Table methods, you will have to manually enter the base load value or the population and the extreme flow factor associated with it. Note that the keyboard shortcuts work with this table, so if you have the table values in a format like Excel, you can copy and paste the data into the table.

If you choose the Equation methods, you will need to enter the coefficients for the equation. For convenience, the equation used to calculate the Extreme Flow Factor can be found at the bottom of the Extreme Flows dialog

Once you have created the Extreme Flows, you must apply it to the Unit Load. Return to the Extreme Flow Setups dialog. In the Extreme Flow Method, select the table- or equation-based method you wish to use. If there is an extra adjustment you need to apply, you can enter a value for the Adjustment Multiplier. If you do not need to apply any extra adjustment, simply set the values in this column on 1.0.

Now that the Extreme Flow Setups are completed, you need to apply them to the Calculation Option of the model. Go to Analysis > Calculation Options and double-click the active calculation option to view the properties. Find the properties field Extreme Flow Setup and set this to the Extreme Flow Setup you wish to use.

Now when you compute the model, the extreme flow setup will be applied to the loading of an element.

Please note: Extreme Flow Setups are only used for Steady State simulations. They are not necessary for EPS runs.

When I run a pump shut down using the pump shut down after time delay setting I get residual flow through my pumps but, when I run the same model with the pumps set to the variable speed/torque type I don't see that flow. Why? What is the difference between these two types of pumps?

Background

The difference between the pump shut down after time delay and the variable speed/torque pump type options are the shut down after time delay assumes that the electrical torque applied to the pump impeller suddenly drops to zero, whereas with the variable speed type, you enter the pattern of pump impeller speed so you are directly controlling the speed of that impeller.  With the shut down after time delay, the impeller will take some time to spin down once power is cut based on the inertia/momentum.

Steps to Accomplish

1. If you wanted to have the variable speed/torque pump type act just like the shut down after time delay pump type then you could set it to use torque as the control variable instead of speed (this is the default) in the pump properties.
2. If you want to use the variable speed type, you would first need to decide how long it takes for the pump impeller to slow to a stop, after it shuts down.  If you need help in doing this, you could do a trial run using the "shut after time delay" transient pump type wiht a number in the "report period" field.  After computing the transient simulation, look at the bottom of the transient analysis details report to see the pump speed over time.
   Next, you will need to define a transient pump pattern (Components > Patterns) based on that delay and when you want the pump to restart.  You'll need to decide how long it takes for the pump to turn back on as well.  In the pattern, 1.0 represent full speed and 0.0 represents fully stopped.  Model the pump as being on in the initial conditions, set the transient pump type to variable speed, then select the pattern that you created.

Thanks all, this has worked out well, I now have them nicely ordered.

Problem Description

My element properties are set correctly but, my annotations (labels) are not displaying the correct values in the drawing pane.

Or

My flextables are not showing that same information as in element properties.

Reason

Sometimes the drawing pane gets out of sync with the database and needs to manually be forced back in sync

Steps to Resolve

Synchronize the drawing

1. In the software go to Tools > Database Utilities > Synchronize Drawing

2. When asked if you wish to synchronize the drawing now select "Yes". If asked to save the file before synchronizing do so.

Compact the database

1. In the software go to Tools > Database Utilities > Compact Database

2. When asked if you wish to compact the database now select "Yes". If asked to save the file before compacting do so.

 See Also

Compacting a database for optimal performance

Thank you , Jesse. I will check that.

Problem Description

When launching WaterCAD for AutoCAD, the following message is generated: "There is no valid WaterCAD V8i for AutoCAD licenses. WaterCAD is unloading."

Reason

Integration with AutoCAD for Bentley WaterCAD, as well as SewerCAD, StormCAD, and CivilStorm, is subject to an additional licensing agreement. If you do not have AutoCAD integration associated with the license, while you may see the icon for AutoCAD-integrated version of the product on your workstation, the product will not launch. You will need to speak with your account manager to get this feature for your license.

If you believe that you should have AutoCAD integration, try activating the license again. It is possible that the feature was not properly picked up when the product was initially activation. You can quickly see if AutoCAD integration is included by opening the Municipal License Administrator and selection Refresh Configurations. AutoCAD integration will be listed as one of the features.

Note that Bently WaterGEMS and Bentley SewerGEMS licenses both come with AutoCAD integration as a part of the license.

Ok just speaking with a colleague we changed our demand pattern for that ONE junction only...

This is the standard residential Pattern which was not working the way I needed it....

This is the NEW 1x multiplier

Thanks anyway, I just thought I would let others know of this solution to my problem.

-Cheers

How To:

Can a KYPipe model be imported into WaterGEMS or WaterCAD V8i?

Background

There is not a direct way of importing a KYPipe model in WaterCAD V8i, but it is possible to import the model into WaterCAD version 7.

Steps to Accomplish

To do this, you would go to File > Import > Network. There are a number of choice to choose from, including KYPipe (.kyp), KYPipe 2 (.ky2), and KYPipe 3 (.dat) files. After selecting the option you want, choose OK. Next, browse to the file you want to import and select it. When you click Okay, the file will import into an untitled worksheet. You would then save the file into the WaterCAD V7 format, with a .WCD and .MDB file associated with it.

Next, you will need to import the file into WaterCAD V8i. To do this, open WaterCAD V8i and go to File > Import > WaterCAD database. Next, browse to the .MDB file created when you saved the imported model into the WaterCAD V7 format. A file upgrade wizard will open that will import the database file into an untitled worksheet. Save the file and the model will then be in the WaterCAD V8i format.

How To:

What are the fields "Flow (Additional Subsurface)", "Flow (Additional Carryover)", and "Flow (Known)" and when should they be used?

Steps to Accomplish

These flows represent pre-calculated flows can be added directly to a catch basin.

If it the flow to be included is subsurface flow, you would use "Flow (Additional Subsurface)." If the flow is overland flow, you would use "Flow (Additional Carryover)". "Flow (Known)" is more of a catch-all, and something to be used with a bit of caution. It is ideal when the flow is being added to the beginning of a subnetwork. If a known flow is added to the middle of a subnetwork, it may override the flow already coming in from upgrade rather than add to it. In such a case, one of the other two options should be used.

Manholes in StormCAD and SewerCAD can only see known flows added to them. As noted above, known flows are best used at the beginning of a subnetwork, as they will override all incoming flow to a manhole or catch basin.

Problem Description

When a project is opened from a network drive, it can be opened by more than one person. Is there a way to make it so a project to only be opened by a single user?

Steps to Resolve

There is no switch on the program model files that will stop multiple users from opening a project that is saved to a network drive.

If the project needs to be saved to a network drive, you may want to look into the Bentley ProjectWise. Bentley ProjectWise allows a user to save a file where it is accessible to other users in the organization. However, ProjectWise allows for the files to be checked out by a user. When this is done, the file will not be available to other users, though it will still be listed in the ProjectWise database. Information on who has the file checked out is also available, so it will be easy to know who is working on what files at a given time. More information on Bentley ProjectWise can be found at the following link: http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Products/ProjectWise+Integration+Server/ or through your account manager.

If Bentley ProjectWise is not an option, and you cannot change the network drive configuration to stop files that are already access from being accessed again, it is sometimes better to have the model files saved to the local drive. If a user is working on a project, they can copy the SewerCAD files out of the network drive so they are literally no longer there for others to use. They can then work on file and save it back to the network drive.

Problem Description

Is it possible to have more than one CN value for a catchment, or to have more than one catchment go to a single outlet node?

Steps to Resolve

If you have a catchment area with different land and drainage types, you will see the rainfall runoff act differently. Pavement will see less infiltration than grassy areas, etc. To make sure you have the most accurate results, you may want to split these areas up so that the runoff is correctly applied to an outflow node. There are a couple of ways to do this.

First, you can model the different land types with different catchments. Each catchment area will have a different CN value. If these catchment areas drain to the same outflow node, it is possible to assign the same outflow node to multiple catchments.

The alternative to this is to model the different land types in the same catchment area, but use a composite CN value. To set this up, open the catchment properties and find the attribute "CN Area Type". Set this field to "Composite CN".

A new attribute will become available: CN Area Collection. Click the ellipsis (...) button in this field to open the CN Area Collection dialog.

In this dialog, you can enter a description, the CN value, and the area for each land type in the catchment. The program will calculate composite CN value based on this input.

Problem Description

In a model where the pump property "Pump Valve Type" is set to Check Valve, the check valve is correctly opening when the model is computed. However, when forward occurs again, the valve is not reopening

Steps to Resolve

This is working as designed. The check valve on a pump is designed to close only once and will not reopen. So it is working as designed in your model. If you want to have the check valve reopen in the model, try the following steps. Set the pump valve type to Control Valve. For the time to operate, set the value to a large number to assure that the control valve doesn't impact the results.

To simulate the check valve on the pump, you have two options. First, you can use the check valve element. Place this directly downstream of the pump. The check valve is useful if you need to set the time to open or time to close for a check valve. More information can be found at the Check Valve TechNote in the link below.

The second option is to open the pipe properties on the pipe directly downstream of the pump and set the property field "Has Check Valve?" to True. This type of check valve assume instant opening and instant closure.

See Also

Modeling Reference - Check Valves

Problem Description

When opening the Transient Results Viewer to view the profiles and graphs, I no longer have the option to use the old-style (Java) results viewer.  How can I access the old-style transient results viewer?

Steps to Resolve

1.  Close HAMMER and open Windows Explorer

2.  Browse to the following location:

     Windows Vista & Windows 7:  C:\ProgramData\Bentley\HAMMER\8\

     Windows XP:  C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\HAMMER\8\

3.  Right click on the file named TransientResultsViewerOptions.xml and choose to "edit".  This should open the file in Notepad.

4.  Read the instructions provided at the top of the file.  Basically you will change the UseNewViewer="Yes""        line to "UseNewViewer="No"" (to always open the old viewer).  You can also change it to "UseNewViewer="Prompt"" (to always ask which style of viewer to use when opening it.)

Problem Description

Can I import and export Pump Definitions from one model to another?

Reason

SewerGEMS ships with some information in the engineering libraries, but a lot of this is general and can be used by engineers in many locations, such as materials and minor losses. Data can be added to the engineering library using the Import and Export functions that are available when the Engineering Library manager is open. You can also add items to an existing library.

Something like the Pump Definition library is different. A pump definition can vary
widely. Because of this, no default information was added. You can, however, add
a new library and import a pump definition there for future use.

To do this, open your pump definitions (Components > Pump Definitions). Highlight
the pump definition you wish to export to the engineering libraries. Select the Synchronize Options and then "Export to Library". There is no library now, so
you would need to create one with the "New" icon and select "Create Library."

Once it's created, highlight the new library and choose Select. The pump
definition will now be the in the engineering library and available for use in
future models. You can verify this by opening the Engineering Library dialog and
browsing to "Pump Definition Libraries."

Problem

How can I find the total volume of water in my network?

Solution

To see the total pipe volume, click the Report menu and choose Pressure Pipe Inventory. This will show you the total physical volume of all pipes in the model, broken down by diameter and material. Since pipes are assumed to be pressurized, this also represents the total water volume stored in your network.

Note:

1) You will need to account for tank volume separately. See the "Volume Full (Calculated)" or "Volume (Calculated)" fields in your tank(s).

2) If you need to see the total volume of water that has passed through a particular element, you should instead use the Totalizing Flow Meter, accessible from right clicking on the element, or from the Analysis menu.

3) If you need to see the total volume of water demanded during a simulation, see the below related wiki solution:

http://communities.bentley.com/products/hydraulics___hydrology/w/hydraulics_and_hydrology__wiki/finding-total-demanded-volume-for-a-scenario.aspx

Hello Indu,

The answer to your question can be found in the below solution wiki article:

http://communities.bentley.com/products/hydraulics___hydrology/w/hydraulics_and_hydrology__wiki/how-to-find-total-pipe-water-volume.aspx

We hope you will find our wiki to be a useful resource for answers to future questions as well.

Hope this helps,

How To:

Model a Connection to an Existing System

Background

When possible, it is always best to model a water system back to the source. But this is not always possible. In such a case, it is possible to model a connection to an existing system using a reservoir and a pump with a three-point pump curve may be used instead.

NOTE: This method is only an approximation, so the results will not be as accurate as if you modeled the system back the actual source. It is also important to note that you cannot model multiple connections to an existing system. The results in such a case could be skewed and will not be viable.

Steps to Accomplish

The reservoir simulates the supply of water from the system. The Elevation of the reservoir should be equal to the elevation at the connection point. The pump and the pump curve will simulate the pressure drops and the available flow from the existing water system. The points for the pump curve are generated using a mathematical formula (given below), and data from a fire flow test. The pipe should be smooth, short and wide. For example, a Roughness of 140, length of 1 foot, and diameter of 48 inches are appropriate numbers. Please note that it is ALWAYS best to model the entire system back to the source. This method is only an approximation, and may not represent the water system under all flow conditions.

Qr = Qf * [(Hr/Hf)^.54] where:

Qr = Flow available at the desired fire flow residual pressure
Qf = Flow during test
Hr = Pressure drop to desired residual pressure (Static Pressure minus Chosen Design Pressure)
Hf = Pressure drop during fire flow test (Static Pressure minus Residual Pressure)

EXAMPLE: DETERMINING THE THREE-POINT PUMP CURVE

1. The first point is generated by measuring the static pressure at the hydrant when the flow (Q) is equal to zero.

Q = 0 gpm
H = 90psi or 207.9 feet of head (90 * 2.31)

(2.31 is the conversion factor used to convert psi to feet of head).

2. The engineer chooses a pressure for the second point, and the flow is calculated using the Formula below. The value for Q should lie somewhere between the data collected from the test.

Q = ?
H = 55 psi or 127.05 feet (55 * 2.31) (chosen value)

Formula:

Qr = Qf * (Hr/Hf)^.54

Qr = 800 * [((90 - 55) / (90 - 22))^.54]

Qr = 800 * [(35 / 68)^.54]

Qr = 800 * [.514^.54]

Qr = 800 * .69

Qr = 558

Therefore, Q = 558 gpm

3. The third point is generated by measuring the flow (Q) at the residual pressure of the hydrant.

Q = 800 gpm
H = 22 psi or 50.82 ft. of head (22 * 2.31)

Pump curve values for this example:

Head (ft.)        Discharge (gpm)

207.9                0
127.05              558
50.82                800

How To:

Import old WaterCAD or WaterGEMS files (such as WaterCAD V7 and older) into WaterCAD or WaterGEMS V8i

Background

Sometimes a user would like to work on or use an older model in the latest version of WaterCAD or WaterGEMS. Below are the steps needed to import older models into WaterCAD V8.

Steps to Accomplish

WaterCAD or WaterGEMS files from version 7 or version 6.5

If you have a model files from WaterCAD or WaterGEMS version 6.5 or version 7, the model files will have a .WCD and .MDB file to store the data. The .WCD file contains presentation settings, such as color coding and labeling. The .MDB file contains most of the model data.

If you have the .MDB file, you can import the older model by opening WaterCAD or WaterGEMS V8 and going to File > Import > WaterCAD/WaterGEMS database. Browse to the .MDB file for the older model and select it. A file upgrade wizard will open. Following the steps. The model will open in a new untitled worksheet. Save the model and the model will now be in the WaterCAD/WaterGEMS V8 format.

Any color coding or annotations with the older model will not be available. These can be recreated through Element Symbology (View > Element Symbology). However it is possible to create a .XML file that contains the presentation settings. This requires that WaterCAD/WaterGEMS V7 and WaterCAD/WaterGEMS V8i is installed on the same machine. Further steps to do this can be found below in the section "Exporting Presentation Settings".

WaterCAD or WaterGEMS files from version 6.0 or older

If you have a model files saved in version 6.0 or older, you need to use WaterCAD V7 as a bridge. Previous to WaterCAD 6.5, all WaterCAD data was saved into the .WCD file. Starting in WaterCAD version 6.5, most of the modeling properties were stored in the .MDB file, while presentation settings were stored in the .WCD file.

To import the old model files, the first step is to open the WCD file in WaterCAD/WaterGEMS version 7. There is a version of WaterCAD/WaterGEMS version 7 that will work with SELECTserver licensing, however version of the program is not compatible with Windows Vista or later operating systems. However, if you are installing on a Windows XP machine (or a virtual machine using XP) it can be installed on the same machine as the current WaterCAD V8i program. It will use the same licensing information as well.

Next, open the WCD file is WaterCAD/WaterGEMS version 7. You will receive a message that the program has detected that it is an older version and that it will upgrade the files to the verison 7 format. Once the program opens, save the file. If you now browse to the folder that the model is stored, you will find a .MDB file as well.

Now open WaterCAD/WaterGEMS V8i. Go to File > Import > WaterCAD/WaterGEMS database. Select the .MDB file associated with the model and follow the steps in the file upgrade wizard. The model will open in an untitled worksheet. Save the file and it will now be in the V8i format.

Exporting Presentation Settings

Note that presentation settings, such as color coding are not included, since these are stored in the .WCD file. You can recreate them in the Element Symbology manager in WaterCAD V8i, but if you have WaterCAD/WaterGEMS version 7 installed on the same machine as WaterCAD/WaterGEMS V8i, there is way to include the color coding in the installation.

To do this, after saving the .WCD file into the version 7format, go to File > Export > Bentley WaterCAD V8 XM Presentation Settings.

This will create a .XML file in the folder that the model is stored. When you import the .MDB file and open the file upgrade wizard, the .XML file should be automatically detected as long as the file is stored with the .MDB file. Continue through the wizard to upgrade the model. Once it is imported, go to View > Refresh Drawing. The color coding should now be applied.

How do import multiple point pumps curves into a model using modelbuilder?

Background

1) You will need to create a spread sheet like the one I have attached.

2) One sheet will be set up for importing the pump definition label name and the
pump definition type. ( For this example this sheet is named "Creating the Pump
definition")

The second sheet will be for importing the actual multiple point
curve data for flow vs. head. (For this example this sheet is named "Importing
Multipoint Curves") **Please Note** that the cells which contain the values for
head and flow need to be formatted as text cells, otherwise the import from
modelbuilder will not work.

3) After you get your excel sheets set up you can open modelbuilder and create a new modelbuilder run

4) You will want to select the check boxes on step 3 of the modelbuilder wizard to "Add objects to destination if present in source" and "Update existing objects in destination if
present in source".

5) On step 4 you will want to specify your key field, which is likely just going to be "Label".

6) On the field mapping step you are going to map the sheet that I called "Creating the Pump Definition" to the table type titled "Pump Definition". In my example, the" pump definition importing" column is the key field. This is the label that you are going to call
your pump definition in WaterCAD/GEMs. You will want to map this 'pump definition importing' column to the WaterCAD/GEMS property 'Label' and map the "Type (Label)" column to the property of Pump Definition Type (Label).

7) On the field mapping step for the sheet that I called "Importing Multipoint Curves"
to the table type titled "Pump Defintion, Pump Curve". In my example, the" pump
definition label" column is the key field and contains the label names for the
pump definitions you are having modelbuilder create in step 6. In the column
mapping you will only map the Flow column on my sheet to the Flow property in
WaterCAD/GEMs and map the Head column to the head property in
WaterCAD/GEMS.

8) Click the "Next" button and the proceed to build your model. This should create all your pump definitions as Multiple Point with the values for flow vs. head for each definition.

Problem Description

What is the following user notification: Mass balance for routing volumes vary by more than 0.5%

Reason

This user notification typically occurs when there is an instability in the interconnected pond routing (ICPM)calculations. Below are some possible steps to resolve the issue

Steps to Resolve

First, make sure that the ponds connected to the ICPM outlet structures are not flooding. This can cause instability in the calculations and make it difficult for the program to achieve mass balance.

Second, you can adjust the calculation options. For instance, try a different value for Output Increment and ICPM Time Step. A smaller value will mean the model will take longer to compute, the results may be more stable.

Third, you can adjust the ICPM settings in the outlet structure itself.