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What's New in StormCAD SELECTseries 4

Product(s):	StormCAD
Version(s):	V8i SELECTseries 4
Area:	Other

Overview

The SELECTseries 4 release of StormCAD includes many new features and improvements. Let's explore each of these in detail.

- Support for Newer Platforms and Operating Systems
- New Database Format
- Independent of Microsoft Office
- Digital Terrain Models
- Downstream Trace
- Headwall Elements
- Bentley Map Mobile
- ProjectWise Cross-discipline
- Direct Import of MX Drainage Files
- Redesigned Conduit Catalog
- Improvements to Constraint Based Design
- New Time of Concentration Methods
- Improvement to Calculation Options
- New Layout Toolbar
- Inlet-only Hydraulic Calculations

For more information and a demonstration of the new features, a free webinar is available here: What's new in SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, CivilStorm and StormCAD V8i (SELECTseries 4)

Support for Newer Platforms and Operating Systems

StormCAD now supports the following:

Windows 7 SP1 (32 bit/64 bit)**
Windows vista SP2 (32 bit/64 bit)**
Windows 8, 8.1 (32 bit/64 bit)**
MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 3 (build 08.11.09.xx)
AutoCAD 2014 (32 bit/64 bit)*
AutoCAD 2015 (32 bit/64 bit)*
ProjectWise V8 XM Edition or later

* StormCAD V8i for AutoCAD license required.

** Note: Windows XP is not supported for StormCAD SELECTseries 4.

New Database Format

For this SS4 version, StormCAD uses SQLite as the database; previously it was Microsoft Access Database (MDB). There are some noticeable advantages with the SQLite database, such as:

- Smaller database files (50% smaller then MDB files on average).
- Smaller deployment - SQLite's library is less than 1 MB, compared to MDB's which is 25MB+
- Transparent cross-platform support (x86, x64 - and others - with no conflicts with other programs like Microsoft Office).
- Cross-device support (Desktop PCs, smartphones, tablets, etc.).
- Faster than MDBs in general (percentage caries per type of query/operation).

Independent of Microsoft Office

In previous builds of StormCAD, there was a conflict with 32 bit versus 64 bit Microsoft Office when installing the product. Thanks to the SQLite database, it no longer matters whether a computer has 32 bit or 64 bit Microsoft Office.

Digital Terrain Models

This new tool automatically assigns elevation data to node elements. The node elevation can be updated automatically when the element is moved.

To learn more about the digital terrain models, click here.

Downstream Trace

Downstream trace works with the terrain models. With an active terrain model, you can find the path from a starting point to a lower point with the greatest gradient.

To learn more about the downstream trace, click here.

Headwall Elements

StormCAD now supports headwalls and endwalls.

Headwall elements:

connect to open channels and closed conduits
can be headwall or endwall
can perform culvert calculations
- Is Culvert? = True
- Library of culvert inlets available
can define properties of connected conduit at headwall
better integration with 3D design
can be
- inflow from catchment
- outlet from pond
- inlet to pond
- connected to adjacent link element

Here is a support solution that has more information on headwalls.

Headwalls

Bentley Map Mobile

This tool publishes a StormCAD model, including results, for use in Bentley Map Mobile, a free application that works on Android, iPad and iPad mini tablets.

To export a model to Bentley Map Mobile, in StormCAD go to File > Export > Publish Map Mobile i-model. The following dialogue box will appear. You can select which elements will get exported. If you have GPS integration with the same coordinate system that the model is in, you can actually see where you are in the map.

When you have the i-model open on your device you can do searches for example on the word catch to get a list of the catchments that are in the current model. You can zoom into an individual element and look at the properties.

When you select File > Export > Publish to Map Mobile the following appears. You can select which elements will get exported.

ProjectWise Cross-Discipline Coordination Services

Using ProjectWise to share information between Bentley products
Use a Consensus Repository to store shared data
File
- Create repository
- Update repository
Can view differences between updates
Already used in building/structural products

ProjectWise Cross-Discipline Coordination Services refers to a shared library of code and tools used to facilitate the communication of model engineering data between two or more separate applications. Repository management allows communication between two different applications, one being StormCAD. Repository needs to be created for this, through File > Repository Management > Create/update Repository.

For example, suppose the building construction software wants to communicate relevant information about the model with the software being used to design the parking lot for the building. ProjectWise Cross-Discipline Coordination Services allows this communication through a separate store of information called a consensus repository. This consensus repository has a schema called the consensus schema. The consensus schema only contains those fields/attributes that are common/relevant to the software using it to sync data (in this example, the common fields/attributes between the building software and the parking lot software). Below is the workflow:

Direct Import of MX Drainage Files

The import of MX Drainage files in StormCAD has been improved, reducing the steps necessary to leverage MX Drainage data.

To import drainage data from MX, in StormCAD you would go to File > Import > MX Drainage.

Before you can use this option the following requirements must be met.

You must have MX build 08.11.09.700 or later installed on the computer for the import process to work, but it does not need to be running.
You can only import data if you are using the 32 bit version of the Storm-Sewer products. If you are using the 64 bit version (by default you will be on a 64 bit operating system) then you will get a message telling you that the functionality is not available. To run the 32 bit version, locate the relevant exe in Windows Explorer, and double-click it to start the product. For example, for StormCAD browse to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\StormCAD8", and double-click on StormCAD.exe.
You can import MX Drainage data to both new and existing project, however, you can only import to existing projects that contain no elements in the model.

There is a section in the StormCAD help titled "Importing from MX". In this section it explains how the MX Drainage data (nodes and pipes) is mapped.

Redesigned Conduit Catalog

Conduits with the same section shape and materials are now grouped together in the conduit catalog, making it easier to view and edit them.

Improvements to Constraint Based Design

The constraint based design calculations for storm sewers include a number of enhancements, such as pipe wall thickness can be included when computing cover; drop structures can be used to minimize cover (previously drop structures only prevented a pipe from exceeding the maximum allowable slope); and a minimum drop depth can be specified for drop structures.

New Time of Concentration Methods

The Kinematic Wave equation, Friend's equation and Bransby-Williams equation have been added as time of concentration calculations in StormCAD.

Improvement to Calculation Options

Improvements to the calculation options have been made for the GVF Rational Solver. You can now select whether to include conduit flow travel time in design. This could ultimately affect the conduit size. You can read about how this works by clicking here.

New Layout Tools

The headwall element has been added to the layout toolbar in StormCAD.

Inlet-only hydraulic calculations

Inlet-only hydraulic calculations allow the user to place inlets, check gutter and inlet carryover flows, and adjust the inlet positions as necessary, before designing the pipe network. This may be useful for doing the road drainage design before designing the subsurface piping. This feature is only available for the GVF Rational Solver.