What's New with CivilStorm V8i SELECTseries 3?

   
  Applies To 
   
  Product(s): Bentley CivilStorm V8i 
  Version(s): V8i SELECTseries 3 (08.11.03.77)
  Environment:  N/A
  Area:  N/A
  Subarea:  N/A
  Original Author: Shahzab Bukhari, Bentley Technical Support Group
   

 

 

 

Overview

The SELECTseries 3 release of CivilStorm includes many new features and improvements. Let's explore each of these in detail.

-Support for Newer Platforms and Operating Systems
-
Unified schema and one common data file format
-Keyword search in property grid
-Selection based filtering in inflow and sanitary loading control centers
-More user control in DXF export
-i-model publishing support
-Bentley DTM support in TRex
-Multiple numeric solvers under one hood
-New Compute Center
-Updated SWMM support
-Enhanced element type support
-Low Impact Development (LID) Support
-Added support for constraint based design
-Enhanced gutter support
-Support for cross section catalog referencing
-Improvements to Element Symbology
-View Associations in CivilStorm for MicroStation
-HEC-22 3rd Edition headloss
-Improvements to Calculation Options
-Improved model management

Please see this link for a video presentation on What’s New with CivilStorm SELECTseries 3 and other Storm and Sanitary products.

Support for Newer Platforms and Operating Systems

CivilStorm now supports the following:

  • Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit)
  • AutoCAD 2012 and 2013 (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 3 (build 08.11.09.xx) and SELECTseries 2 (build 08.11.07.xx)
  • ArcGIS 10 and 10.1
  • ProjectWise V8i (build 08.11.09.xx and 08.11.07.xx)

In addition, CivilStorm now offers support for interoperability with the latest releases of InRoads, GeoPAK, LandXML, and Bentley MX Drainage

Note that in order to integrate with 64-bit versions of AutoCAD 2012 and 2013, CivilStorm will need to be installed as a 64-bit application as well. As with the previous release of CivilStorm this requires the either the 64-bit version of Microsoft Office be installed or no instance of Microsoft Office installed. MicroStation and ArcGIS are strictly 32-bit applications and do not require this for the integration to complete.

Unified Schema and One Common Data File Format

CivilStorm now uses file extension “.stsw” for new projects, and will automatically convert existing projects saved in earlier versions of CivilStorm that had used the old file extension (.swg).

In addition to CivilStorm projects, users now have the ability to open other Bentley storm and sewer ( SewerGEMS, StormCAD) projects within CivilStorm and save them in one common data file format.

Keyword Search in Property Grid

Users can find the property they want quickly in the property grid using keyword search. To use this function, open the property grid for any element, by either double-clicking on the element or going to View > Properties. The new Property Search field is above the list of element properties. Simply start typing the word you are searching for and the property grid will dynamically filter to show any property field name that contains the phrase entered.

Recent searches are stored in the drop down selection. The search term is maintained even when selecting a different element or element type. To clear the selection, click the Clear button beside the drop down.

Selection-based filtering in inflow and sanitary loading control centers

Users can now filter the Inflow and Sanitary Load Control Centers based on the current selection of node elements. To use this function, highlight the elements you wish to view in the Inflow or Sanitary Load Control Center in the drawing pane. If you have a selection set or query to retrieve these elements, double click it to highlight them. Next, open the Inflow or Sanitary Load Control Center through the Tools pulldown. Select the Options button, then select Filter > Current Selection. Only the highlighted elements will be displayed. You can then perform actions such as global edit on the filtered list.

  

More user control in DXF export

CivilStorm now offers more control over layer/level assignment during DXF export. When you use the Export command, you first specify the drive, directory, and file name of the DXF file to be saved. Then the Export to DXF Layer Settings window opens, allowing you specify the names of the DXF layers on a per-element type basis.

The Export to DXF Layer Settings dialog is divided into tabs for Link Layers, Node Layers, and Polygon Layers.

  

Each tab contains a table that allows you to specify a prefix and suffix for the associated DXF layer. The Preview field displays how the label will appear.

Note that specifying a prefix or suffix also creates new layers for each prefix/suffix. If no prefix or suffix is specified all links, nodes, and polygons will be exported to the same DXF layer.

The Link Layers tab has additional controls: Entering a value in the Pipe Size Significant Digits field allows you to organize the pipe layer into multiple layers taking the pipe sizes into account using the Layer by Pipe Size checkbox.

i-model publishing

With the SELECTseries 3 release of CivilStorm V8i, you can now publish an i-model. An i-model is an immutable container for rich multi-discipline information published from known sources in a known state at a known time.Basically it is a portable, read-only copy of a model file that can be viewed by users that do not have CivilStorm. The topology as well as the attributes and results (for a particular timestep) can be viewed in MicroStation, ProjectWise Navigator, and Bentley View. Since Bentley View is free, i-models provide a way for anyone to easily view data and results for a CivilStorm model file. Exporting to 3-D i-models is a part of this feature as well, allowing for a 3-D represenation of the the i-model in Bentley MicroStation or Bentley View.

Under File > Export, you will have a "Publish i-model" option, which requires the i-model publishing engine (downloadable from Bentley SELECTservices). The i-model publishing engine shows as a prerequisite on the download page for CivilStorm, but is only necessary if you intend to publish i-models. If you have no need to publish i-models, you do not need to download and install this optional component.

Bentley DTM support in TRex

In addition to previously supported file formats, the TRex tool in CivilStorm now supports the Bentley DTM file format. This is available through the Data Source Type pulldown.

Multiple numerical solvers under one hood

The Gradually varied flow-Convex and Gradually varied flow-Rational (SewerGEMS, SWMM, and StormCAD
solvers respectively) are now included in CivilStorm, making CivilStorm
a full superset of SewerGEMS, StormCAD, and CivilStorm.

New Compute Center 

Users can now perform all actions related to model runs through one common location using the Compute Center. This streamlines the process of changing solvers and other frequently used calculation options properties, including creating new calculation options. These functions are still available in the Calculations Options properties though.

   

The Compute Center is docked to the lower left of the drawing pane by default, and is accessible through the Analysis pulldown.

Updated SWMM support

The explicit hydraulic solvers in CivilStorm are updated to SWMM 5.00.022.

In addition, HEC-22 inlet capture efficiency calculations can be performed when using the enhanced SWMM solver in CivilStorm with the added ability to handle flow backup from the subsurface piping out through the inlet.

The enhanced SWMM dynamic wave solver used in CivilStorm has significant improvements in computational performance.

Enhanced element type support

The GVF-Rational solver supports known and wet weather inflow while ignoring sanitary loading.

All numerical solvers included in CivilStorm have the ability to handle all element types, gravity as well as pressure.

Low Impact Development (LID) elements

Low-impact development (LID) controls can now be analyzed in CivilStorm. Low-Impact Development (LID) is a term used in the US and Canada to describe a more eco-friendly land planning and design approach to stormwater management. In the United Kingdom, this approach is referred to sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), and in Australia, it's called water-sensitive urban design (WSUD). The US terminology is used in this software and its documentation.

LID controls help developed watersheds or sites to retain or enhance pre-development hydrologic characteristics through the use of techniques that conserve natural systems and hydrologic functions.

The basic steps to implementing LID controls in a hydrologic model are as follows.

Add generic LID controls to the project. This is done in the "Low Impact Development Controls Manager". There are a number of LID Control Types to choose from, each of which will have its own set of properties. The available types are Bio-Retention Cell, Infiltration Trench, Porous Pavement, Rain Barrel, and Vegetative Swale. Note that it is possible to change the default properties for these LID Control Types and assign new properties to the Engineering Library.

Next, add catchment and LID elements to the network drawing. Enter element-specific LID control and catchment data in the Properties pane. LID control attributes include designating a Parent Catchment and associating a generic LID. Proceed with the modeling project as you normally would (e.g., ente)r remaining network and rainfall data, configure storm data, run the model, review results).

Low-Impact Development (LID) controls as implemented in the software are based on the calculation methods used in EPA SWMM Version 5.0 and LID controls can only be used in conjunction with the EPA-SWMM Runoff Method.

A LID control element must be associated with a Parent Catchment. The Parent Catchment is the source of stormwater input to the LID control, and also receives discharge from the LID. The effect of a LID control on runoff is seen in the computed hydrograph for the LID control's Parent Catchment.

Added support for constraint based design

CivilStorm now offers constraint based design capabilities for storm sewers through the use of GVF-Rational solvers. To use constraint based design, you must set the Active Numerical Solver to GVF-Rational, and set the Calculation Type to “Design.”

Enhanced gutter support

CivilStorm now supports new gutter shapes (v-shaped and parabolic gutters) in addition to the gutter shapes previously supported. In addition, improved and expanded gutter results are available in the gutter properties and Flextables, in addition to improved results fields for the gutter data in upstream and downstream elements.

A new gutter type was added to allow for more seamless element management. By selecting a Gutter Type of "Same as Start Node Gutter" the data from the upstream gutter will be copied into the properties for a new gutter.

Also a Gutter Catalog is now available, accessible through the Components pulldown, or in the gutter property field “Catalog Gutter.” This allows for commonly used gutter types to be stored in the Engineering Library, and made available for gutters that may be in other models, similar to the Conduit Catalog. When a gutter from the Gutter Catalog is used, the properties in the catalog entry are used in the model calculations.

Support for Cross Section Catalog referencing

A Cross Section Catalog is now available for use in setting up channel data through the Cross Section property grid. The Conduit Catalog is used for this. Users can assign a catalog cross-section by picking a trapezoidal channel or irregular channel type in the Conduit Catalog. The Conduit Catalog is accessible through either Components pulldown or Cross Section property field “Catalog Cross Section.”

Improvements to Element Symbology

In the list of elements in Element Symbology, only those elements that are in the model will have their icons displayed. This will allow for the user to more efficiently work on annotations and color coding for presentation and results.

Copying and pasting of annotations and color coding are now available between different element types. To use this feature, right-click on the annotation of color coding you wish to copy, and choose Copy. Then right-click on the element you want the annotation or colory coding copied to and select Paste. The symbology will then appear with the new element type.

Symbology definitions can now be imported and exported to and from a model. To use click the ellipsis button beside the Symbology Definition drop down. To Export, click the "Export" button and give the file a name. The file extension is .SYM. This file can then be imported into another model by selecting the "Import" button in the Symbology Definition manager.

View Associations in CivilStorm for MicroStation

When working in the MicroStation integrated mode, it is now possible to associate scenarios and symbology definitions with MicroStation Views. This basically lets you see different scenarios and/or symbology definitions (color coding/annotation) at the same time, by opening multiple MicroStation Views. This is available through the CivilStorm pulldown in CivilStorm for MicroStation by going to CivilStorm > View > View Associations.

A "mode" button is available for both Element Symbology and Scenarios:

Synchronized mode: This basically means that the scenario (or symbology definition) will be the same for all views. Switching the scenario or symbology definition will cause it to change for all views. Use this mode for scenarios if you want all views to always show the same scenario. Use this mode for symbology if you want all views to use the same symbology definition (arrangement of symbology).

Independent mode: This basically means that the scenario (or symbology definition) can be different for all views. Switching the scenario or symbology definition will cause it to only be switched in the active View. Use this mode for scenarios if you want a view to always show the scenario that you selected when that view was active. Use this mode for symbology if you want a view to always use the symbology definition that you selected when that view was active.

HEC-22 3rd Edition headloss

Node headloss calculations in accordance with HEC-22 3rd Edition are now available in CivilStorm, when using the GVF Rational numerical solver. To use the third edition calculations, select it from the structure loss type field in the structure properties. Note that the second edition standard is still available.

Improvements to calculation options

Additional calculation options give users the ability to apply global settings in one location and simplifies model setup. The new Compute Center allows for easy adjustments to commonly used calculation option attributes, such as duration and output increment, as well as the active numerical solver.

CivilStorm allows user input for the convex coefficient to achieve convex routing improvements.

Improved Model Management

Below are some general usability and model management improvements made in SELECTseries 3:

  • CivilStorm offers more flexibility to users in connecting different element types for more ease in laying out a model and morphing of one element type into another. For example, it is possible to morph a conduit into a pressure pipe by right-clicking on the link and selecting "Morph Conduit to Pressure Pipe."
  • User notifications have been improved to allow so that modeling errors can be found more quickly and efficiently
  •  CivilStorm offers a new category of common graph properties for each element type to enable the user to quickly find and use the most commonly graphed properties.

  • Flextable field display now has handling for multiple solvers, as not all fields are used for all solvers. Users can now choose to display fields specific to the active numerical solver (default setting) or all fields available in the product.

  • CivilStormnow handles conflicts in controls better, with improvements to model validation and user notifications.
  •  CivilStorm now allows users to generate profiles for virtual links and diversions.
  • Energy Grade Lines (EGL) are now available in Profile in CivilStorm V8i
  • It is now possible to use the Implicit (SewerGEMS dynamic) and GVF-Rational solvers when using CivilStorm integrated with ArcGIS.

See Also

What's new in SewerCAD V8i SELECTseries 2?

Product TechNotes and FAQs

OpenFlows Product Tech Notes And FAQs

 

External Links

Bentley LEARN Server

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