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How do I model devices or control structures when there isn't a explicitly defined way to model what's in my system?
Occasionally when modeling you have an element in the real world that you can't figure out exactly how to model because there isn't a specific element or feature for it. The process of thinking below should help you to come up with a creative workaround to help resolve this.
1) Think about exactly what the element does hydraulically in the real world and how it functions. What is the purpose of it? How does this relate to the end goal of this model?
2) What exactly is it that you need to learn from your model? What is the goal of creating this model?
3) Do you have the correct solver selected for the end goal of your model?
Example: If you are trying to account for flooding in your system you wouldn't want to use the GVF Convex (SewerCAD) solver you would want to use the Implict (SewerGEMS) or Explicit (SWMM) solver, which can account for this. It's important to choose the correct solver because each one functions differently and there may be different properties and functionality for the modeling elements.
4) Place a few elements in a sample model project that you think might be able to resolve the problem.
5) Open the properties of each one and examine them. Is there anything that looks like it might have some of the properties that you are looking for or could use to simulate what you have in the real world?
6) Create a sample model with as few elements as possible to help you focus on modeling the workaround and test it here
7) Once you get the workaround functioning in a sample model try to add it to your model and make adjustments as necessary.