How to Calculate the Freeboard of a Node in InfoSWMM/H2OMAP SWMM from the Model Results

Note:   How to Calculate the Freeboard of a Node in InfoSWMM/H2OMAP SWMM from the Model Results

The freeboard for a node in InfoSWMM/H2OMAP SWMM can be calculated with a 5 step process:

 1.       Copy the Node Rim Elevations from the DB Tables for Junctions to Excel,  you need to use the Preference Option  Store Absolute Junction Rim to have the absolute elevation and not just the maximum depth of the node. 

2.      Run the model and then copy the Maximum HGL from the Junction Summary Output Report Manager table to Excel,

3.      Calculate the Freeboard in Excel as the Rim Elevation minus the Maximum HGL in Excel, this will be either positive or negative depending on whether you are using the surface ponding option.  Positive if there is Freeboard and negative if there is flooding.

4.      Create a new column called Freeboard in the Junction Information DB Table and paste the Freeboard from Excel.  You will first have to make a new column called Freeboard and specify the type of number.

5. You will now be able to perform Map Displays or Map Queries using the new Freeboard information column.

Node Comparison in InfoSWMM and InfoSewer

Note:  Node Comparison in InfoSWMM and InfoSewer 

1)    Is there an option to set the manhole sealing method (i.e. locked 

or unlocked) in InfoSWMM?  You set the Surcharged depth to a positive value to prevent flooding and keep the pipes under pressure.  You will still have flooding once the water surface elevation reaches the maximum depth + surcharge depth.  Unlike in InfoSewer the depths are not unlimited.

 2)    Is defining manhole diameter in InfoSWMM available?  You can set the default surface area of a node or make it a storage node.  

 3)    Does InfoSWMM allow me to create parallel pipes with the same 

attributes similar to InfoSewer?  You can set the number of barrels in the attribute browser of DB Editor in InfoSWMM.

 

 4)    Can you please confirm that the only element allowed to leave a 

storage unit in InfoSWMM is a pump?  No, this is not true.  You can have a gravity main, orifice or weir leave a storage pond or lake.

 5)    Is there a tool to check for pipe diameter discrepancies in 

InfoSWMM similar to InfoSewer?  Yes, we have a similar Engineering Review and Network Audit Tools

 6)    For load patterns, I do not see an option between stepwise and 

continuous in InfoSWMM, or is there?  InfoSWMM really only has stepwise linear DWF pattern though you can have a time series of inflows as well which gives you complete flexibility.

 7)    Does InfoSWMM offer modeling I&I using pipe length, pipe surface 

area etc… like in InfoSewer?   You can but there in not an easy translation,  You have Rainfall Induced Infiltration at a Node.  You can relate this to the pipe length but it is not straightforward.

 8)    Is steady state simulation and design simulation available in 

InfoSWMM similar to InfoSewer?  You can do Steady State easily but design uses a Genetic Algorithm technique if you have InfoSWMM Suite.

 

InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer New Features in 2011

Subject: InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer New Features in 2011

InfoSewer for Arc GIS 9 and 10 and  H2OMAP Sewer had a many engine and GUI enhancements during 2011 to allow the programs to work better for models up to 50,000 elements that simulate water quality and hydrology.  The improvements now allow large models to be run with smaller report and simulation time steps and provide a Mass Balance Check  at the end of the report file for the user to easily check the model results.  The new ForceMain Solution for EPS simulations now allows the simulation of complicated Force Main Loops in the network without the need for making simplifying network connection assumptions.  The engine changes make InfoSewer andH2OMAP Sewer more robust for large models and small time steps while  providing better solution error checking and routing.  The enhanced Output Report Manager shows all of the possible Node and  Link Output Variables in Graphs, Tables and Advanced HGL Labeling.  The year 2011 was a year in which the internal engine of InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer were improved and also a year in which more simulation output information was shown to the user so that they can both understand and explain the modeling results in a more confident fashion.

 

Figure 1.  Three Temporal Solutions in InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer

 

The three types of solutions in InfoSewer and  H2OMAP Sewer: Steady State, Design and Extended Period Simulations had other new features in InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer which include

·         Advanced Forcemain Network Support (Figure 3)

·         Plan Profile Plotting of the Input Network

·         Mass Balance Table for EPS Simulations (Figure 3)

·         Advanced Node and Link labeling for HGL Plots

·         A complete list of node, link graphics for all Output Attribute Browser Variables

·         Better memory allocation for long simulation and enhanced memory allocation for plot with many data points

·         Improved Memory Management for Water Quality, Pumping and Unit Hydrograph Simulations

·         Expanded Output Manager Tabular Reports for EPS Simulations

·         Expanded Warning and Error messages in the text report file

·         Enhanced water quality routing through force mains, pumps and wet wells (Figure 2)

·         Enhanced export to H2OMAP SWMM

·         Enhanced simulation of small hyetograph time steps for hydrographs

·         Expanded output for the Design Feature of H2OMAP Sewer

·         Improvements to the DB Editor for Import of GIS and  OBDC data

·         The ability to run longer simulations with shorter report time steps

·         Enhancements to the pump allocation routine for Steady State and EPS runs

·         Improvements to the ranges of the solution parameters for the Muskingum-Cunge modified solution

·         Output Graphics can now be shown down to a 1 second report step.

Figure 2.  Example InfoSewer Network with Multiple Upstream and Downstream Force Main Links.

Figure 3.  The new ForceMain Solution allows InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer to simulate Force Main Splitting and Joining

Figure 4.  Mass Balance Check in InfoSewer and H2OMAP Sewer now shows the user the  total inflow, storage and  total outflow during the EPS Simulation.

Pump Volume per Pump Event in SWMM 5

Subject: Pump Volume per Pump Event in SWMM 5

You can calculate the volume per startup event by using the Pump Summary Table in SWMM 5 and copying a few columns to Excel.   

1.   Go to the Pump Summary

2.   Copy Pump Name, Total Volume and Pump Startups to Excel

3.   Divide to get Pump Volume per Event

You will now have the average volume per event.

Pump

Total

Total Volume

Pump

Name

Volume (ML)

L Per Event

Startups

PUMP-11

0.006082

202.73

30

PUMP-13

0.005539

184.63

30

PUMP-15

0.006241

208.03

30

PUMP-17

0.0064

213.33

30

PUMP-19

0.005405

180.17

30

PUMP-21

0.006199

206.63

30