H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
(OP)
We are a small civil engineering company that designs civil/site plans for residential developments in SC with the majority of our projects ranging from 25-35 acres. We also do some small commercial sites and flood studies as needed for a site. The majority of our sites require on-site detention and the use of the SCS 24-hour storm events along with volume based pond routings. We have been using a dos-based program called "Drain:Edge" which has worked very well for our needs but there is no windows-based version.. We are looking for another computer program to replace it. I have been researching and the programs Hydraflow Hydrographs, HydroCad and SWMMS5 are mentioned a lot. We need to be able to size and design the storm drainage system along with the detention pond. I used the HydroCad sampler and liked it a lot. I have inqured about Hydraflow but we cannot purchase it without purchasing AutoCAD Civil 3D. We already use the TerraModel CAD system which calculates and plots the HGL for storm pipe systems when given the peak flows. I've read some on the SWMMS5 but not so sure about it.
Based on what our company does, I would like some opinions as to which of the programs would be a good fit and if there are some other programs that would be better??
Based on what our company does, I would like some opinions as to which of the programs would be a good fit and if there are some other programs that would be better??





RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
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RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
I am a long time user of HydroCAD and would highly recommend going with it. I have used Pondpack, TR-55, TR-20 Hydraflow Hydrographs, ICPR and other packages. For the uses you describe, I think HydroCAD will serve you best. Your impressions from the demo probably speak for themselves.
The only time I set HydroCAD aside is when I need to have full dynamic routing. In these cases I use ICPR (reviewers around here prefer Hydrocad reporting...mostly due to familiarity).
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
I was in the same fix when I started my firm last year, doing work primarily in Georgia, and have been very pleased with HydroCAD. Go to their website and pay them a few bucks and they'll email you a code that will turn your evaluation copy into a 'real' copy. Pay a few bucks more and they'll upgrade you to whatever number of nodes you need, and you can pay in increments depending on what your node limit is.
I have experience with:
Hydraflow Hydrographs
XP-SWMM
HEC-HMS
HydroCAD
and I prefer HydroCAD of those.
francesca is correct, though, if you want to stick with free stuff all the ones she mentioned will encompass just about anything you'd ever need to do. I'm defaulting to HydroCAD for site hydrology and to free stuff for everything else.
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
HydroCAD does have a "dynamic routing" and "sim-route" options which account for downstream tailwater dynamically. However, neither truly handles reverse flows (some trickery can be done with "sim-route", but it's not worth it imho).
http://www.hydrocad.net/tailwater.htm
http://www.hydrocad.net/simroute.htm
Other software (ICPR, Pondpack, SWMM...) does handle backwater and reverse flows using FULL dynamic equations (conservation of mass/energy).
For the majority of projects, especially those outlined in the original post, this won't be necessary.
(I prefer HydroCAD most of the time. However, I am in a FLAT coastal area where backwater effects and reverse flows can sometimes be quite significant in a design with small tolerances.)
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
Exporting to Excel is simple.
The "outflow structures" method for the outlet is quite easy to use when you have orifice, spillway, dam tops, etc.
Free.
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
I would reiterate that the free software definitely has its uses, particularly HY-8 and Hydraulic Toolbox from the FHWA link that gbam noted; and, of course, HEC-RAS. I have used the Bentley/Haested software – they work well, but (at least the last time I looked) were quite expensive. I tend to fall back on HydroCAD for the type of work you describe. I find HydroCAD a simple (but powerful software), particularly for the cost.
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
RE: H&H computer models for small civil engineering frim
Here's an overview: www.hydrocad.net/info.htm
Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software
www.hydrocad.net