Academic project

Question

I am analyzing a water distribution network having 689 no. of pipes. This is purely academic purpose. In our institute, we are having an academic license with the limit of 250 pipes. Therefore I am unable to run entire network. To overcome this problem I am created 4 selection sets. Each selection set having less than 250 no. of pipes. To run entire network how to proceed? How to give Boundary conditions to these selection sets? After giving boundary condition how to proceed? To run an entire network with the help of selection sets how to proceed?

Scott Kampa · Answer

Hello, 
 Ideally, you would simplify or skeletonize you model to that you have only 250 pipes or less. This allow you keep the connectivity and the actual pump data at the boundaries. If you are using WaterGEMS you should be able to use Skelebrator to do this. 
 If that is not possible, and if you are able to divide up the model as you mention above, you could export submodels and open these submodels in new model files. This may require you to define boundaries, which may able to be estimated with flow tests. There is a model for modeling a connection to an existing system that could be used in such a case. 
 Regards, 
 Scott

Jesse Dringoli · Answer

Madhusudan, 
 
If by "flow reading in selected pipes" you mean a hydrant flow test that was done nearby, you can use the steps in the article that Scott linked to above for "modeling a connection to an existing system". This involves configuring a pump and reservoir with pump curve based on the static and residual flow test. This allows the model to simulate the pressure vs. flow relationship at that "boundary" point (where you are not modeling the upstream system) so mimic how the upstream system would respond. 
 
Ideally you would model the entire system or a skeletonized version all the way back to the water source.