What's new in StormCAD V8i SELECTseries 2?

  Applies To 
  Product(s): StormCAD
  Version(s): V8i SELECTseries 2 (08.11.02.35)
  Original Author: Jesse Dringoli, Bentley Technical Support Group

 

 

 

Overview

The release of StormCAD V8i SELECTseries 2 includes some great new features:

  • New predefined flextables - HEC-22 Table A, Network Elements Table, and Combined Pipe/Node Report
  • Formula based user data extensions
  • Seed file support
  • XML reports from Flextables
  • Profile enhancements
  • Scenario Comparison tool
  • Storm Data UI improvements
  • Selection tool for user notifications
  • New calculation options

Lets explore these items in greater detail:

 

New Predefined Flextables

    • HEC-22 Table A - This is a new predefined flextable, set up in the HEC-22 Table A format. It is essentially a pipe report, but includes results for nodes as well. For example, it shows the Upstream Structure, upstream structure governing velocity head, Upstream headloss coefficient, etc.
    • Network Elements Table -This is a new predefined flextable that uses a new flextable type, which shows attributes for pipes and nodes (not catchments) in the same table.

    You can create a new network elements flextable by choosing "Network Elements" as the table type:

    Note that the network elements flextable type is different from a "2-Row" flextable. A 2-row flextable is a special tabular report that displays two rows for each conduit contained within the table, one with upstream information and one with downstream.

     

    • Combined Pipe/Node Report - This is a new predefined conduit flextable, containing attributes for upstream structure. This is similar to the HEC-22 Table A predefined flextable, but arranged differently. This is different from the "network elements" table type because it only contains conduits. It is considered a "combined pipe/node" report because the conduit element contains many fields that show results from adjacent nodes.

     

    Formula-based User Data Extensions

      • In the past, a user data extension has always contained user-entered information. Now, you can create a user data extension whose value is calculated based on other existing fields. For example, you can create a “node depth” field that shows the rim elevation minus the invert elevation for a catchbasin.

          

      • User data extensions are accessed from Tools > User Data Extensions
      • Choose “Real (Formula)” for the “data type”
      • Be sure to choose the correct dimension, unit and numeric formatter. For example, the result shown in the above “node depth” example user data extension is a length dimension, with elevation as the formatter. This means that this field will use the correct units (feet, a unit of length) and the same format settings (decimal precision, etc.) as other elevation fields.
      • In the formula editor, double click attributes at the top to populate the correct field name at the bottom. Right click to change the unit as necessary.
      • Many math functions (such as square root, absolute value, etc) are available in the formula editor window and you can also use If/Then/Else statements.

       

      Seed File Support

        • Seed files allow you to save project settings and data as a template (the seed file has an .sts extension). You can then reuse these settings/data while creating new projects using the data from the previously saved seed file. 

         

         

        • For example, you can start a new project, import all the inlets and conduits that you typically use into their respective catalogs, set up your color coding and annotations, etc. Then, choose to “Save to seed”. Now, when you start a new project, instead of choosing to create a new project, choose File > Seed > New From Seed and pick the seed you saved. This way, you don’t have to set up standards each time.
        • A seed file contains a full StormCAD model file, not just catalogs and element symbology. It is essentially like compressing the model files into a zip file.

         

        Create XML reports from FlexTables

           

          • XML reports can be generated from a flextable and enable you to apply your own XML style sheet to customize the look of the report.

           

            

           

          • Style sheets are selected in the XML report viewer from the Options menu > Apply Style Sheet > Custom. It uses a standard Microsoft .XSL file, which requires knowledge of XML to create. You can find documentation here, and look at the format of the default style sheet .XSL file.
          • In addition to be a transportable format (you can save to .html) xml data can be presented in many and varying ways.  By producing a style sheet, you can open differing “views” on the same XML data.

           

           

          Profile Enhancements

             

            • Automatic path selection – when creating a profile, just select the upstream and downstream nodes and the profile will automatically include the elements between them. Intermediate points can be specified.

            • Highlight Profile button – click to highlight the selected profile. Single-click between profiles and the highlight will automatically change.

             

             

            Scenario Comparison Tool

               

              • The scenario comparison tool (under the “Tools” menu) enables you to compare input values between any two scenarios to identify differences quickly.

               

              In the above case, the rainfall runoff alternative is difference between the selected scenarios

               

              Storm Data User Interface Changes

               

                • The dialog box for entering and viewing storm event information has been improved

                 

                 

                • Different types of rainfall data are organized into folders on the left side. “Storm event groups” (a group of return frequencies) are stored as entries within each category.
                • In previous versions each storm event group was a separate folder and displayed each return event under the folder name on the left side.

                 

                New Selection Tool for User Notifications

                 

                   

                   

                  • Use the new “Select All Elements with Message ID...” button to select all elements that have the same message type as the selected notification.  
                  • In addition to viewing the location of these elements in the drawing pane (highlighted in red), you can also create a selection set or filter a flextable.

                   

                  New Calculation Options

                   

                  • Ignore Travel Time in Carrier Pipes - When this property is set to “True”, StormCAD will ignore the travel time in carrier pipes (pipes with no subcatchment connected to their upstream node) when computing system time at the node immediately downstream of the carrier pipe. This allows modelers to eliminate the flow reductions that would otherwise occur as a result of the increased system time. Further explanation including diagrams can be found in the help documentation, under Theory > Special Considerations > Carrier Pipes.
                  • Correct for Partial Area Effects? - If “False”, StormCAD will always adopt the largest system time from all incoming flows to an inlet. If “True”, when two or more rational flows enter a single node, StormCAD will adopt the system time that produces the largest rational flow. A larger 'partial area' flow will be carried downstream until the 'total area' flows exceeds it. Further explanation including diagrams can be found in the help documentation, under Theory > Special Considerations > Partial Area Effects.

                   

                  See Also

                  Product TechNotes and FAQs

                  OpenFlows Product Tech Notes And FAQs

                   

                  External Links

                  Bentley LEARN Server

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