Wednesday, December 31, 2014

What does Percent Not Converging Mean in SWMM5?

"SWMM 5's Routing Time Step Summary is your window into the model's heart, offering valuable insights with each pulse of data 🌟📈:

  • Minimum Time Step: How swiftly the model can adapt to change, with a record speed of just 0.52 seconds! ⏱️✨
  • Average Time Step: Balancing precision and performance, the model averages a comfortable 8.76 seconds. 🔄
  • Maximum Time Step: Never missing a beat, the maximum cap is a steady 10.00 seconds. ⏳
  • Percent in Steady State: A tranquil sea with 0.00% time in a steady state, reflecting constant motion. 🌊
  • Average Iterations per Step: A modest 2.14 iterations, showcasing the model's efficiency. 🔄
  • Percent Not Converging: Only 1.69% of the time, the model's predictions and reality don't quite align. 🛠️

Figure 1 illuminates the maximum trials per time step. This number reflects the model's persistence in seeking convergence during dynamic wave routing. 🌐🔍

Convergence in the Dynamic Wave Solution:

  • The dance of calculation continues until the steps match the maximum number of trials. 🕺💃
  • At each time step, the flows and depths are reassessed. If all nodes agree within the head tolerance, the iteration halts. 👍
  • A single non-convergent node increments the Non-Converge Count, a rare occurrence. 📊
  • Efficiency tip: Links that can be bypassed are noted, speeding up the process when dynamic wave calculations are unnecessary. 🏎️💨

With SWMM 5, you're not just running a model; you're conducting an orchestra of data where each note is a time step, each rest a chance to converge, and the symphony is the fluid mechanics of urban water systems. 🎼🌆"


  *************************
  Routing Time Step Summary
  *************************
  Minimum Time Step           :     0.52 sec  
  Average Time Step           :     8.76 sec
  Maximum Time Step           :    10.00 sec
  Percent in Steady State     :     0.00
  Average Iterations per Step :     2.14
  Percent Not Converging      :     1.69

Figure 1.  Maximum number of trials per time step


In the dynamic world of SWMM 5, the Routing Time Step Summary serves as a crucial indicator of model stability and efficiency 🌐🔧. Here's a snapshot:

  • Percent Non-Converging: This is the fraction of time when at least one element in the model's intricate network didn't align within the set number of trials per step. It's the ratio of the total non-convergent steps to the overall number of steps taken during the simulation 🔍💡.


  • Dynamic Wave Solution Mechanics: Like a conductor leading an ensemble, the program meticulously iterates until the number of steps aligns with the maximum trials allowed. Each step is a note, each calculation a beat 🎶🧮.


  • Convergence: It's a delicate balance. If all node depths settle within the accepted variance (below the head tolerance) after more than one step, the model ceases iterations. Harmony is achieved ✅🔄.


  • Non-Convergence: However, should even a single node remain unresolved, the Non-Converge Count ticks up, a rare but noted event in the symphony of simulation 🚦📊.


  • Efficiency: Not every link needs a detailed calculation at each step. By identifying which can be bypassed, the program conserves energy, speeding up like a swift current bypassing a tranquil pool 🏎️💨.

Figure 2 likely illustrates this concept further, capturing the essence of a model that is both robust and refined. By understanding these dynamics, you can ensure a smoother, more accurate simulation, leading to more reliable predictions and planning in urban water systems 🌟🌊.

Figure 2.  Link Bypass is based on the Upstream and Downstream Nodes

    // --- keep iterating until convergence 
    while ( Steps < MaxTrials )
    {
        // --- execute a routing step & check for nodal convergence
   initNodeStates();
   findLinkFlows(tStep);
   converged = findNodeDepths(tStep);
        Steps++;
        if ( Steps > 1 )
        {
            if ( converged ) break;

            // --- check if link calculations can be skipped in next step
            findBypassedLinks();
        }
    }
    if ( !converged ) NonConvergeCount++;

    //  --- identify any capacity-limited conduits
    findLimitedLinks();

    return Steps;


Tuesday, December 30, 2014

How to Make a Trapezoidal Inflow Time Series in InfoSWMM

You can make a Trapezoidal shaped Time Series in InfoSWMM by using the following steps:
  1. .       Use the Inflow Icon at a Node in the Attribute Browser
  2. .       Use either an Inflow Time series with date/time/value or
  3. .       A baseline flow value with a pattern
  4. .       The time series comprise a Date that matches your simulation time period
  5. .       A hour:minute:second Time value in the Time Series Table
  6. .       A flow unit with the units used in the General Tab of Run Manager
  7. .       This time series is entered in the Attribute Browser under Time Series in the Operation Tab
How to Make An Inflow Time Series at a Node in InfoSWMM



Sunday, December 28, 2014

The EPA SWMM 5 code and the various versions of Visual Studio

The EPA SWMM 5 code and the various versions of Visual Studio. If you have multiple versions of Visual Studio on your computer you might have toolset issues.  Visual Studio 2010 and 2012 are for Windows 7, Visual Studio 2013 is for Windows 8


Visual Studio 2012 uses the v11 toolset

Visual Studio 2013 uses the v12 toolset

Visual Studio Configuration Properties

Thursday, December 25, 2014

How to Make Scatter Graphs in InfoSWMM and H2OMap SWMM

How to Make Scatter Graphs in InfoSWMM and H2OMap SWMM


Scatter graphs of velocity on the X axis and depth on the Y axis are important to help understand the reason for flow/depth relationships in flow surveys.  You can make a scatter graph in InfoSWMM by plotting the link flow and the by clicking on the Report button.  A right mouse click will bring up the Data Scatter Plot option. The column on the left of the selected columns will be the X Axis column of data. The column on the right will be the Y Axis column of data.  The default is depth followed by velocity. The order variables can be changed by using the Format Icon (bullet 1) followed by the Scatter Plot selection of velocity/depth (see Figure 1 for an example).  Figure 2 shows how to make a Log/Log Scatter Graph in InfoSWMM using the Properties Icon.


Figure 1.  The Basic Velocity vs Depth Scatter Graph in InfoSWMM

Figure 2.  The Log/Log Options for a Scatter Graph.


Saturday, November 29, 2014

A rise in Pipe Inverts Across a SWMM 5 Node, What Node and Link Invert Elevations Does SWMM 5 Use?

A rise in Pipe Inverts Across a SWMM 5 Node

Subject:  This is how SWMM 5 handles  jumps in pipe invert across a node. 
 The water surface in the node determines the flow in the link, as the depth increases due to upstream inflow eventually the downstream link will start flowing.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Showing Multiple Link Attributes in InfoSewer

This blog shows how to display multiple link parameters.

The 1st method would be to use Arc Map Layer properties and label multiple parameters for each gravity main or force main.  The image below shows and example and here is the code inside of Arc Map to do this

Function FindLabel ( [DIAMETER], [Pipe.SHAPE_Length], [COEFF] )
  FindLabel = [DIAMETER] & " m / "  & " " & [Pipe.SHAPE_Length]  &  " m / n "   & [COEFF] 
End Function
Arc Map Label Annotation

Or 

Function FindLabel ( [DIAMETER], [Pipe.SHAPE_Length], [COEFF] )
  FindLabel = " D= " & [DIAMETER] & " m / L="  & " " & [Pipe.SHAPE_Length]  &  " m / n "   & [COEFF] 
End Function
 
Label Properties in Arc Map or Arc GIS

The 2nd method is to use Annotation and Map Display in InfoSewer

If you want to show both pipe diameter and slope on the map of InfoSewer you will have to workaround the limitation of having only one map variable:
1. You can map the diameter using Map Display and then
2. Use the Annotation tool to show the 2nd variable such as Length or slope.
3. Here is an example with different colors for diameter and length

Map Display and Annotation in InfoSewer

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

InfoSWMM 2D Version 13 Brings Significant 1D and 2D Simulation Advancements To Power Users

InfoSWMM 2D Version 13 Brings Significant 1D and 2D Simulation Advancements To Power Users

Latest Release Confirms Product as Leading GIS-centric Urban Drainage Modeling and Management Solution

Broomfield, Colorado, USA, November 18, 2014

Innovyze, a leading global innovator of business analytics software and technologies for smart wet infrastructure, today announced the worldwide availability of the V13 Generation of its industry-leading InfoSWMM 2D for ArcGIS (Esri, Redlands, CA). InfoSWMM 2D delivers new ways to quickly and accurately build and analyze very large and comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) models that reliably simulate complex urban stormwater, sanitary sewers, river flooding and pollutant transport. It allows users to accurately predict the extent and duration of urban and rural flooding for comprehensive stormwater management directly within the powerful ArcGIS environment.

A fully hydrodynamic geospatial stormwater modeling and management software application, InfoSWMM 2D can be used to model the entire land phase of the hydrologic cycle as applied to urban stormwater systems. Built atop ArcGIS and using exceptionally robust and efficient numerical simulation capabilities, the model can perform single-event or long-term (continuous) rainfall/runoff simulations accounting for climate, soil, land use, and topographic conditions of the watershed. In addition to simulating runoff quantity, InfoSWMM 2D can reliably predict runoff quality, including buildup and washoff of pollutants from primarily urban watersheds. It also features very sophisticated Real-Time Control (RTC) schemes for the operational control and management of hydraulic structures.

A hallmark of InfoSWMM 2D is its dynamic integration of one-dimensional (1D) hydrodynamic simulation of flows in open channels, HEC-22 inlets and closed pipe networks with two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic simulation of surface runoff, evaporation, infiltration and flooding in the urban environment. The dynamic integration, achieved through an explicit coupling of 1D and 2D flow equations, provides a powerful solution for simultaneously modeling belowground and aboveground elements of watersheds to accurately represent all flow paths and improve understanding of holistic processes. InfoSWMM 2D also directly simulates the rainfall and infiltration on both the watershed and the 2D surface to better simulate 1D flooding, 2D surface flooding, 2D shallow groundwater recharge and complex 1D and 2D surface interactions.

The full 2D free-surface shallow water equations are solved using a highly advanced finite volume method, which is particularly suitable for rapidly varying flood flows such as those moving through steep streets and road junctions and those associated with bank overtopping or breaching. The unparalleled 1D/2D dynamic linking capabilities of InfoSWMM 2D give engineers the unprecedented power to analyze and predict potential flood extents, depth and velocity and accurately model the interaction of surface and underground systems in an integrated 1D/2D environment. The software can be used to simulate point sources, 2D boundaries, multiple 2D mesh and simulation polygons in a sewer or stormwater network. The combined water level and velocity results throughout the flooded areas can be viewed as various comprehensive graphs; tables; or animated, thematic flood maps.

Among its many new enhancements, Version 13 uses a significantly improved 2D simulation engine, the flexible InfoSWMM ArcMap polygon tools, a 1D InfoSWMM engine based on the latest EPA SWMM 5.1, a new 1D and 2D graphics engine and a comprehensive Output Report Manager and Statistical Event Manager for both 1D and 2D output. In addition, the new release allows users to instantly visualize the maximum extent of flooding in vivid 2D and 3D maps.

“We’re deeply committed to providing a geospatial modeling experience that is both intuitive and powerful, and InfoSWMM 2D V13 embodies that commitment,” said Paul F. Boulos, Ph.D., BCEEM, NAE, Hon.D.WRE, Dist.D.NE, F.ASCE, President, COO and Chief Technical Officer of Innovyze. “This release delivers major geotechnological and computational enhancements in short release cycles to make sure our customers are always equipped with the ultimate ArcGIS-centric decision support tool for stormwater and urban drainage systems. It greatly extends the core features of InfoSWMM, providing the most powerful and comprehensive ArcGIS-centric tool kit ever for managing the risks of urban and rural flooding. This is a must have for effectively controlling and managing sanitary sewer and combined sewer overflows.”

Monday, November 17, 2014

Arc Map Backwards Compatibility for InfoSWMM


Arc Map Backwards Compatibility for InfoSWMM:
  1. Use windows explorer to, make a zero byte mxd file with the same name as your isdb folder, 
  2. click on the blank mxd file and initialize InfoSWMM or InfoWater, 
  3. Use the Table of contents to zoom to an InfoSWMM layer, 
  4. fix the extents of the map in arc gis by using Data Frame, 
  5. save the Arc Map to make a model in your version of Arc Map


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Three Key Parameters in InfoSWMM/SWMM5 for Time Steps, Iterations Tolerance



Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The 10 year Anniversary of the release of EPA SWMM 5

A colleague mentioned that this is the 10th year anniversary of EPA SWMM 5. I thought this important or noteworthy anniversary was worthy of a short blog.

The release dates for SWMM 5 are from


which is in the download section of the EPA SWMM site 

-----------------------
Build 5.0.002 (11/1/04)
-----------------------
Engine Updates
1. Modifications made to the Picard method used for dynamic wave
   flow routing routine.

------------------------
Build 5.0.001 (10/29/04)
------------------------
First official release of SWMM 5.

since there were 4 releases during a 4 week period, it might be better to consider the whole month the release date for SWMM 5.0.001 to SWMM
5.0.004

Wikipedia has the whole timeline of SWMM 1/2/3/4/5



Saturday, November 8, 2014

Legacy SWMM 5 and SWMM 5.1 Installs

I have a somewhat hidden website on Ning with this URL

http://swmm5code.ning.com/

that has legacy SWMM 5 and SWMM 5.1 installs for the interested

Here is what the site looks like - the text box or blog feature you will want is on the right at the top

Legacy SWMM 5 and SWMM 5.1 Installs



Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Innovyze Releases InfoSWMM Generation V13, Spearheading New Era in GIS-Centric Smart Wastewater Modeling

Innovyze Press Release
 Insider BlogLinkedInTwitterYouTubeYouTube
Innovyze Releases InfoSWMM Generation V13, Spearheading New Era in GIS-Centric Smart Wastewater Modeling
Latest Release Gives Communities Groundbreaking Network Simulation Power and Full Compatibility with SWMM 5.1
Broomfield, Colorado, USA, October 21, 2014 — In its ongoing quest to equip the wastewater industry with the world’s most comprehensive and innovative smart network modeling and management solutions, Innovyze, a leading global innovator of business analytics software and technologies for smart wet infrastructure, today announced the worldwide availability of the V13 Generation of its industry-leading InfoSWMM for ArcGIS (Esri, Redlands, CA). InfoSWMM V13 provides unique new capabilities and enhancements that comprise the most advanced approach to guiding and optimizing collection systems planning, designs, operations and management.
The only urban drainage modeling solution certified by the National Association of GIS-centric Software, the full-featured InfoSWMM analysis and design program delivers the highest rate of return in the industry. All operations of a typical sewer system — from analysis and design to management functions such as water quality assessment, pollution prediction, sediment transport and deposition, urban flooding, real-time control, and record keeping — are addressed in a single, fully integrated geoengineering environment. The program’s powerful hydraulic and water quality computational engine is based on the latest SWMM 5.1 version, which is endorsed by the USEPA and certified by FEMA. These features and more deliver an enhanced modeling experience and greater realism of displayed results — advantages that translate to increased productivity, reduced costs, higher accuracy, better efficiency, and improved designs.
InfoSWMM also serves as a robust base platform for advanced modeling, operational, capital planning, and analytics-driven asset management extensions. Some of these critical applications include InfoSWMM 2D (two-dimensional surface flood modeling), CapPlan (risk-based capital planning and asset performance modeling), InfoMaster (GIS-centric asset management), and RDII Analyst (rainfall-dependent inflow and infiltration planning and analysis).
The release of InfoSWMM V13 extends previous generations’ capabilities with over 50 new features, improvements, and groundbreaking innovations in geoengineering productivity and efficiency. These advances greatly simplify, accelerate, and integrate urban drainage network engineering, helping wastewater engineers develop better designs and operational improvements faster. Among the new features are new LID modules specifically for Green Roofs and Rain Gardens, addition of a modified Horton method for infiltration, the ability to use a second user-supplied equation for groundwater outflow as well as a conduit’s OPEN/CLOSED status in both control rules premise conditions and action clauses, addition of both evaporation and seepage from conduits, ability to save a hot start file that contains the full state of the system, the addition of  conduit flow volume as a time series output variable, and summary tables enhancements.
“Our priorities have always been to advance the frontiers of smart network modeling technology and support our customers’ successes by helping them be more productive, innovative and competitive —imperatives in today’s economy,” said Paul F. Boulos, Ph.D., BCEEM, NAE, Hon.D.WRE, Dist.D.NE, F.ASCE, President, COO and Chief Technical Officer of Innovyze. “This major InfoSWMM release delivers on our promise to equip our customers with the ultimate ArcGIS-centric decision support tool for sewer collection and urban drainage systems. Like its predecessors, InfoSWMM V13 sets a new standard for quality and high-performance network modeling and management with unrivaled power and speed, cutting-edge capabilities, rich functionality and ease of use. From top to bottom, it is designed for record modeling performance that enables users to increase their productivity and quality while achieving their engineering, sustainability and business goals.”
Pricing and Availability 
Upgrade to InfoSWMM V13 (and H2OMAP SWMM V13) is now available worldwide by subscription. Subscription members can immediately download the new version free of charge directly from www.innovyze.com. The Innovyze Subscription Program is a friendly customer support and software maintenance program that ensures the longevity and usefulness of Innovyze products. It gives subscribers instant access to new functionality as it is developed, along with automatic software updates and upgrades. For the latest information on the Innovyze Subscription Program, visit www.innovyze.com or contact your local Innovyze Channel Partner.

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