Importing Hydraflow data into SWMM 5.0

[Trackfiend]

I have been using Hydraflow Hydrographs for some time now and feel fairly efficient with the program in producing runoff for both Rational and SCS methods. I have recently been utilizing SWMM 5.0 more frequently for modeling underground stormwater systems and detention structures. I find the hydrology part of SWMM (i.e. producing runoff, generating flows) cumbersome. I have been exporting the hydrographs from Hydraflow into SWMM 5.0's time series data in order to produce a flow for a particular node.

My question would be is this method acceptable? My runoff rates are exactly the same in SWMM as they are in Hydraflow so I know the conversion works. Am I taking to many steps for an operation that would be easier if I just used SWMM's hydrology capabilities?

 

[RWF7437]

"The Intelisolve programs are no longer available as standalone programs and are, sadly, no longer supported by Intelisolve. They have been sold to Autodesk and are now part of that company's offerings. Whether or not Autodesk can or will help, it might be worth trying to contact them."

As to your original questions, I don't have much experience with SWMM but I too have found it cumbersome. If what you are doing is working and gives identical results, why change ? For most projects we do the rainfall data is "accurate" only within 30% to 40% so small differences in computer programs seem pretty trivial compared to the errors inherent in the data.

good luck

 

[mjwoodruff]

Why not use Hydraflow to model your detention ponds? It has underground pond capabilities.

Michael

http://www.revisionblock.com

Import Hydraflow Into Excel

 

[Trackfiend]

"Why not use Hydraflow to model your detention ponds?"

I have been using Hydraflow for quite some time now to exclusively design detention ponds. However, I have always wanted to learn SWMM and from what I understand, it is quite the powerful program. Basically I would like to use it primarily to model underground stormwater systems. I am noticing now, that after comparing different simulation models, that the results sometimes vary dramatically. I almost feel more like a weather forecaster than a civil engineer sometimes.

And yes, I have read both the Voodoo Hydro and the 9 uncalibrated model articles. Very interesting.

 

[psmart]

If you're modeling underground storage, have a look at the chamber library that's included with HydroCAD. It includes most of the storage options (plastic, concrete, CMP, etc.) and avoids the need to use external spreadsheets for calculating stage-storage curves.

http://www.hydrocad.net/chambers.htm

Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software

http://www.hydrocad.net