Hydraulic Analysis

[Ottavia Delamar]

Withover 50 years of experience and over 10,000 pipeline studies completed in over 50 countries, we are the leading global experts for the provision of pipeline Digital Twins, tailored hydraulic real-time leak detection modelling solutions, surge analysis studies and specialised on-site diagnostics.

Using VariSim, developed within the group by Simulation Software Limited, we model and optimise pipelines and pipe networks at the design stage and we also investigate operating problems and proposed changes in operating philosophy on existing systems to verify pipeline and control system design.

Advantages of our software when compared to other commercially available products is the use of a continually varying pipeline wave speed together with the ability to model complex control systems. When combined with our ability to model accurate temperature variations along the system, this results in truly accurate computer simulation of pipelines.

We have an extensive portfolio of validation cases to demonstrate the proven accuracy of our software, including many operational real-time liquid and gas systems. Our software typically shows just a 1% or 2% difference between recorded values on site.

VariSim has been developed over a 50 year period and is used worldwide. It is integral to all our solutions and with its plug-in applications, it provides the ultimate support for the Engineering, Operational and Training environments that are integral components to the businesses of all pipeline owners. As a desktop product it supports the design, planning and analysis of hydraulic and control system behaviour for safety, efficiency and damage avoidance.

Hydraulic Analysis Group and Rogue7 Inc. are delighted to announce the signing of a partnership to deliver state of the art pipeline management systems to the water, oil & gas industries.

The simulator engine can handle large volumes of data to show the true operation of the network, so operators have full confidence in the output of the Network Energy Optimisation System. By using Machine Learning, the simulator will show the forecasted operation of the network with the optimisation and operational schedule implemented. For more information of the potential benefits, please download here.

The partnership will allow us to work together to implement advanced real-time pipeline applications using the very latest machine learning tools. This unique combination will equip control centres and data factories with accurate, reliable & self-learning digital twins.

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone has heard about any upcoming features for Pipe Networks. I heard through grape vine a while back that Autodesk purchased Boss International with the intent to incorporate some new Hydraulic Analysis tools for pressure systems. We do a lot of pump station design and water system plans, and currently use WaterCAD for analysis, and do any drafting manually. It sure would be nice to get some "real fittings" in Civil 3D someday, without creating them all. Just wondering what the status is before we look into another solution for making our drafting easier and faster. Thanks!

Maybe I am missing something but can't you create your pipe network in Civil 3D and then convert it to xml and pull it up in WaterCAD? I can do it in SewerCAD. I do have to make some adjustments but for the most part it is all there along with elevations and what not.

I agree I would like to see some more structures and fittings in the part library. I am really surprised that manufacturers would not already have these items setup so that you would be more inclined to specify their products.

I thought he was curious to know whether or not Civil3d will be able to do everything within one program so that he does not have to do multiple programs for his drawings. I guess my statement was more of a question as to you can transition your theoretical model in Civil3d then turn around and export to SewerCAD or WaterCAD run it and any changes there, xml it back to the site layout and be done. If the intent by having intricate parts like bushings, manifolds, reducing tees, etc. to account for minor losses, I don't think any program will account for that unless you assign it manually. Personally, I would like to see more small pipes, null structures be 45 degree or 90 degree elbows and sweeps, cleanouts, air relief valves, valves in general, etc. and in proper classification...SDR35, Sch40, Sch80, C900, ASTM...(PS I am biased toward PVC and HDPE).

In regards to Bently products, for an additional 1,200-2,000/program and 100-250 pipes you can get the bentley products as a plugin for Civil3d....only if you run 32 bit...64 bit will not work right now. I run them as a stand alone at this point but I may be making the switch once Bently and Autodesk work out the issues regarding 64-bit (which I am thinking is going to be a pipe dream if Civil3d is making the investment into its own hydraulic analysis especially in pressure pipe design andcuts Bentley lose all together).

I guess the point is that drafting domestic water pipe networks has not been ideal in Civil3D for awhile. I was just wondering if there is any plan to integrate the Boss International Products and the features in Civil3D to create a better/ more complete solution for Water Systems. It looks as like the WaterNet program is very similiar to WaterCAD and the workflows would be pretty much the same. I know you can export a pipe network to XML and import in WaterCAD or WaterNet, but it appears it easier just to model it in WaterCAD at current, unless of course it is all proposed and construction documents are also required. Many of the reports and analysis' we perform is on existing systems, where nothing is being proposed. But we do some work on massive new water systems as well, it would sure be nice to use 1 solution, that is well integrated for either proposed or existing systems.

I feel your pain in terms of having one software do all for the most part. I like watercad and sewercad because well that is actually something that Iearned in school (unfortunately AutoCAD was not part of the curriculum) and I am used to it. Also Haested Methods writes pretty good hydraulic books to read and are easy to follow (also used in my school); hence my reluctance to change especially since they have invested time and money to truly understand the background into hydraulic analysis. Unfortunately it would appear that the separation is only going to get worse between Haested Methods/Bentley and AutocadCivil 3d. Eventually, I will be using solely Civil 3d because it will eventually contain everything that is in watergems and sewergems combined with basic civil3d tools and Map3d. For me that means i lose money because I have invested money and subscription to Bentley. The good news about Civil3d, at this point you have unlimited pipes whereas for Bentley you pay per pipe. Honestly, I wish the two would get along and coexist together. However, if you have civil3d 2011 and using the 64-bit version that is impossible at the moment (hence why I say it will get worse) since WaterCAD and SewerCAD are only 32-bit.

If you have your Civil 3D subscription with us, we give you a pretty good discount. Also, if you need to purchase several licenses and you don't have your subscription with us, we will work with you on a discount.

Not sure myself. Personally, I would rather them work more on beefing up the program in terms of structures, pipes, and appurtenances along with better pipe trenching subassemblies than work on putting on analysis tools as some of us, if not most, have already some form of analysis tools that import the layout from Civil3D or LDD anyway. Once you can get multiple networks of various dimensions and capabilities linked to each other and work dynamically both in plan and profile, then you can work on analysis in my opinion. Even if it is not for water or sewer works, you could still use pipe networks for telecoms, electric, gas, and any other subsurface utilities. I have already placed this into the wish section.

No one from Autodesk will tell you when things will be released until they are JUST about to be released. Apparently, because they are a publicly traded company, if they say, "We will release such and such on this date" and they don't, they will be fined by the SEC.

Autodesk still hasn't released any pressure network analysis tools that work in or with Civil 3D. There is a new program in Autodesk Labs called Project Dalton that looks like it might have some potential though I haven't investigated it much yet.

We just found something that just came out to market that has worked great for us! It uses EPANET directly in Civil 3D and can get you the reports pressure analysis that our Civil guys needed. www.pressureCAD.com

The Stream Restoration Program utilizes hydrologic and hydraulic models for estimating runoff quantities, rates and the hydraulic forces impacting a reach of stream. These analyses provide parameters for use in stable channel design. For projects within an existing floodplain, generally the existing FEMA hydrology and hydraulic models are used. For smaller projects models are developed for each specific project. Common models used are:

Results from the H&H analyses are used to estimate channel boundary shear stresses and sediment transport capacities, which allow for prediction of future short- and long-term channel erosion and provides data for design of channel stabilization measures.

Hydrologic analyses are performed to quantify the volumetric flow rate of water draining from a watershed (i.e., drainage area) over time. The amount of water that flows from a watershed depends on the characteristics of the watershed (e.g., size, land cover, antecedent moisture, and steepness) and the presence of water (e.g., the intensity and duration of a precipitation event, or regulation from a dam). Hydraulic analyses are performed to determine the depth of flow, flow velocity, and forces from flowing water on a surface or at hydraulic structures. These studies are necessary components in the hydraulic design and analysis of structures.

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