I am Looking For Flow Network Analysis Software

[thomaslwyo]

I was wondering what types of flow network analysis software other folks here are using. We currently have Haestad Methods, but would like to get away from it. Any software out there at a reasonable price that will let you do unlimited nodes/pipes? Is anyone using HydrauliCAD? Looks cool. Any info or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thomas

 

[RWF7437]

Try EPANET. It's FREE !

 

[stanier]

AFT Fathom allows the modelling of netwroks. There are options to allow goal seeking, transient analysis of tankage etc and costings. Fathom allows heat transfer calculations. A chemical database called Chempak is an option. AFT's Impulse allows for steady and unsteady state analysis.

http://www.aft.com

 

[TonyBr]

InfoWorks is the best software and there are no hidden costs,

http://www.wallingfordsoftware.com/

other key competitors are synergee and mwh soft

 

[sokos]

you can use InfoWater, it works under GIS and i think it is better than Haestad Methods since you can use d"IifoWater Demand Allocator" which calculates the demand at each junction, also you can use it to caculate the elevations of the junctions by creating a 3D surface. But Watercad is more friendly

 

[Courn15]

Infowater does do GIS and demand allocation but then again so does Haestad with WaterGEMS, especially when they come out with their new version, never heard of hydraulicad...

 

[francesca]

I haven't used WaterGEMS but I have used SewerCAD and WaterCAD. The latter was okay, but the former was useless for anything beyond a single lift station application or an exclusively gravity system.

 

[stanier]

I have used AFTs Fathom, Epanet, Watercad and SewerCad. Fathom comes out on top.

Geoffrey D Stone FIMechE C.Eng;FIEust CP Eng

http://www.waterhammer.bigblog.com.au

 

[BigInch]

Epanet ... its free!

 

[mjd2000]

Recently there have been exhaustive studies completed that compare all the major hydraulic water modeling software. Some of the recent studies leave NO stone unturned. From one modeler to another, I highly recommend you do the same. To start, you really need to look within your agency and answer the basic questions. The type of questions you should ask yourself are, but not limited to;

- Data Management and Ownership of Data
- Annotation of Model Components
- Contour Plots of Model Result Areas
- Diagnostic Messaging (Error messages)
- Documentation Capabilities for Individual System Components
- Establishment of Open Links with Database Software
- Fire Flow Analysis Capabilities
- Graphing/Profiling of System Components/Model Results
- Links to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Links to SCADA system
- Online Help
- Scenario Management Capabilities
- Site Layout Capabilities
- Software User Support
- Water Hammer Analysis Capabilities
- Water Quality Analysis Capabilities
- Windows Environment
- On and on and on….

Buyer beware, some of the hydraulic modeling software on the market today are NOT based on a GIS platform. Software manufacturers have HUGH differences between them, which can make a night and day difference to the Owner and the End-User. It is highly recommended, before you purchase modeling software, get the manufacturer to provide you mulitple ON-SITE demonstrations.

Do not be afraid to ask the hardball questions. Like…

- Can you run your software with only Arcview, or do you need Arc Editor or ArcInfo?

- Create a contour of pressures in an ArcView environment. In contour creation, please demonstrate creation directly on the model itself. Show the routine how to export this into a personal geodatabase

- Change from one scenario to another while each time showing how each element set corresponds to which scenario.

- Show results of multiple scenarios overlaid in an ArcView environment.

- Demonstrate how you “deactivate” facilities so that they are not included as part of a model run and are not shown on the map. Example, deactivate a sub-division. Please discuss any limitations to the process.

- Demonstrate how you automatically assign elevations from a Shapefile of elevation contours. The shape file will be provided at the demonstration.

- Demonstrate your entire suite of network review and/or fix tools with respect to connectivity. Please show both the find and fix parts. Once fixed, run the model to show new results.

- Does your software work within ArcView 9.0? Please demonstrate.

- Is there minimum database hardware requirements?

- Is there a background process that runs on the database server to perform computational transactions?

- What are the minimum bandwidth requirements? Will staff be using this software at remote sites?

- On and on and on…


Yes some software is free; however the major drawback of it compared to commercial modeling programs is the use of the text editor for data input. It also lacks graphical (GIS) input capabilities and has NO technical support.

I am an end-user not a salesman. I purposely did not state any manufacturer’s names as to which software is better than the other. (That would be way too easy.) I strongly recommend the end-user (the Owner) must ultimately do the home work.

I hope this helps.

 

[civilreddy]

EPA-NET - its free... however if you dont mind spending a bit extra.... then WaterCAD is great....

 

[hydrae]

EPA net
unlimited nodes
duration analysis
controls features
quality parameter measurement
graphical interface
non proprietary data set (you can read the files with wordpad)

The only time I would recommend anything else is if you want integration with GIS or other databases

and of course as many of my colleagues say 'its free'

Hydrae

 

[water017]

I really like WaterCad I've used it for many applications. It is wonderful. I'm currently looking for a stormwater modeling software---any ideas on that?

 

[ladyinwater]

MOUSE by the Danish Hydraulic Institute is truly the best dynamic hydraulic model that I have ever used. Second, InfoWater, third, H20MapWater. There are advantages and disadvantages to all. Choose the one that best fits your needs. There is no ultimate modeling software, as all have their weaknesses and strengths.