InfoSWMM SA Tools Menu and How They Help You create Networks for Modeling

Tools Menu - This menu contains the basic tools of InfoSWMM SA that allow you to run the simulation and report the results. The basic modeling and analysis tools are incorporated into the Tools Menu.

Connectivity Menu

The Connectivity sub-menu is used to verify network connectivity before running a simulation. When importing a model network from an external data source (GIS, infrastructure inventory, other hydraulic model, etc.), it is critical that the network representation be properly formed (each pipe is connected to exactly two nodes, each node is connected to at least one pipe). Otherwise, errors will be reported when attempting to run a simulation.

To verify network connectivity, go to the InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Tools and select Connectivity. There the user will see the following options:

• Display Connectivity - Draws a simple straight-line to graphically represent the connectivity for the selected pipe(s). The connectivity line drawn represents to FROM and TO nodes in the database. This allows the user to graphically confirm that the database matches the graphics. If it appears that a match does not exist, use either the DB from Map or the Map from DB commands to rectify the discrepancy.
• Show Connected Pipes - Highlights pipes connected to the selected node.
• Orphan Nodes - Lists the ID for any orphan nodes. An orphan node is defined as a node not connected to any links in the current InfoSWMM SA model.
• Orphan Pipes - Lists the ID for any orphan pipes. An orphan pipe is defined as a pipe without either a FROM or TO node, or more specifically, a pipe whose from and to-node ID's do not reference existing nodes in the current InfoSWMM SA model.
• Fill Pipe Connectivity - Based on a user defined tolerance and subsequent parameters, fills the connectivity information for all InfoSWMM SA pipes based on the graphic overlap of the selected pipes. This tool is used to "weed out" very small pipes that connect two nodes that are very close together. After running this command, use the Orphan Nodes and Orphan Pipes commands.
• Update Pipes - Updates the connectivity for the selected pipe(s) by connecting that pipe to the correct nodes as indicated by the FROM and TO node IDs assigned to that pipe.
• Verify/Fix Pipe Direction - Checks/fixes the graphic direction of the selected pipes. Any differences will result in having the graphic direction automatically reversed to match the connectivity as listed in the InfoSWMM SA databases.
• Find Invalid Connectivity - Examines valves and/or pumps for proper connectivity. The search may be limited to the currently active domain or to the entire model. This function can also attempt to fix pump and/or valve direction if the connectivity is found to be invalid.

Locate/Fix Menu

The Locate/Fix sub-menu is used to verify network connectivity before running a simulation. When importing a model network from an external data source (GIS, infrastructure inventory, other hydraulic model, etc.), it is critical that the network representation be properly formed (each pipe is connected to exactly two nodes, each node is connected to at least one pipe). Otherwise, errors will be reported when attempting to run a simulation.

To verify network connectivity, go to the InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Tools and select Locate/Fix. There the user will see the following options:

• Locate/Fix Nodes in Close Proximity (Overlapping/Duplicate Nodes) - Nodes in close proximity designate nodes that overlap (accidentally duplicated) as shown in the figure below. The Network Review/Fix Tool allows the user to instantly view every node in close vicinity of another node (based on any specified distance) and automatically merge the identified nodes into one where necessary.
• Locate/Fix Pipe-Split Candidates - Pipe-split candidates represent separate pipe sections that should be connected by a common node as depicted in the expanding text.
• Locate/Fix Crossing/Intersecting Pipes - Crossing pipes refer to those pipes that cross but do not intersect at a common node as shown in the expanding text.
• Locate Junction Closest to Pipe - Junction(s) closest to a pipe may be located using this feature. This is especially useful when data is imported from a GIS may be used to identify the closest junction(s) to the pipe. Additionally you may also use this functionality to specify a distance from the pipe in map units and locate all the junctions within this specified distance.
• List Parallel Pipes IDs - Parallel pipes are identified as pipes sharing the same start and end nodes and are not required to share identical vertices. The Network Review/Fix Tool is able to rapidly identify all parallel pipe candidates in the network model. The user can then verify each parallel pipe identified and, if necessary, re-route (redraw) the pipe in a noticeable manner or remove/delete it from the model if it represents a parallel pipe that does not actually exist in the actual system. Please note that the pipes identified by this tool are limited to the currently active network.
• Parallel Pipes as Domain - Parallel pipes are identified as pipes sharing the same start and end nodes and are not required to share identical vertices. The Network Review/Fix Tool is able to rapidly identify all parallel pipe candidates in the network model. The user can then verify each parallel pipe identified and, if necessary, re-route (redraw) the pipe in a noticeable manner or remove/delete it from the model if it represents a parallel pipe that does not actually exist in the actual system. Please note that the pipes identified by this tool are limited to the currently active network in the Domain.
• Locate Duplicate Pipes - Duplicate pipes are a subset of the parallel pipes that share the same start/end nodes and have identical pipe vertices. The Network Review/Fix Tool is able to rapidly identify all duplicate pipe candidates in the network model. The user can then verify each duplicate pipe identified and, if necessary, re-route (redraw) the pipe in a noticeable manner or remove/delete it from the model if it represents a duplicate pipe that does not actually exist as shown in the expanding text. Because duplicate pipes are a subset of Parallel pipes, duplicate pipes will also show up when running the Locate Parallel Pipes tool. Please note that the pipes identified by this tool are limited to the currently active network.

Utilities Menu

The Utilities sub-menu is used to verify network connectivity before running a simulation. When importing a model network from an external data source (GIS, infrastructure inventory, other hydraulic model, etc.), it is critical that the network representation be properly formed (each pipe is connected to exactly two nodes, each node is connected to at least one pipe). Otherwise, errors will be reported when attempting to run a simulation.

To verify network connectivity, go to the InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Tools and select Utilities. There the user will see the following options:

Animation Menu

• The Animation sub-menu is used to create animation after running a simulation.
• To use Animation, go to the InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Tools and select Animation. There the user will see the following options for Animation: Animation Editorand Animation Viewer.

Trace Menu

• Trace Connected Nodes - The Trace Connected Nodes function launches a spanning tree to identify all nodes in the network that can be reached from any specified source or target node via a connected path. The source node does not need to be a tank or reservoir. This function allows the user to instantly view all nodes of the network model that are disconnected from other nodes as shown in the figure below. The user can then easily determine if a hydraulic connection actually exists and, if so, make the connection in the model. The connected nodes will be placed in a domain and highlighted on the map. To remove the highlight, go to InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA and select the Clear button.
• Trace Network - The Network Trace function launches a spanning tree to identify all pipes and nodes in the network that can be reached from any specified location (source node) via a connected path. The source node does not need to be a tank or reservoir. This function allows the user to instantly view all portions of the network model that are disconnected from any node as shown in the figure below. The user can then easily determine if a hydraulic connection actually exists and, if so, make the connection in the model. The connected elements will be placed in a domain and highlighted on the map. To remove the highlight, go to InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Home and select the Clear button.
• Trace Upstream Network - The Trace Upstream Network function uses the Start Node and End Node of the pipe to trace the connected pipes in the upstream direction. A trace in the upstream direction will begin at the Start Node of the pipe tracing to the End Node to find all connected pipes. In the figure below assuming that the nodes and pipes are input the order shown, the upstream trace would be conducted as follows. The connected elements will be placed in a domain and highlighted on the map. To remove the highlight, go to InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Home and select the Clear button.
• Trace Downstream Network - The Trace Downstream Network function uses the Start Node and End Node of the pipe to trace the connected pipes in the downstream direction. A trace in the downstream direction will begin at the End Node of the pipe tracing to the Start Node to find all connected pipes. In the figure below assuming that the nodes and pipes are input the order shown, the downstream trace would be conducted as follows. The connected elements will be placed in a domain and highlighted on the map. To remove the highlight, go to InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Home and select the Clear button.

Validation Menu

• The Validation sub-menu is used to Validate before running a simulation.
• To use Validation, go to the InfoSWMM SA Ribbon -> InfoSWMM SA Tools and select Validation. There the user will see the following options for Validating a Network: Engineering Validation and Network Audit Tool.