- Why do I need a model like CivilStorm to analyze a storm sewer system?
- How do I get started creating a CivilStorm model?
- How can I get training on CivilStorm to help me get started?
- Does CivilStorm integrate with MicroStation or AutoCAD?
- Do I need two licenses if I want to use both the AutoCAD and stand-alone interfaces?
- Storm sewer design is all about elevations. Can I look at profiles?
- Can CivilStorm handle oddly shaped storm sewers including arches and ellipses? What about open channel sections?
- Can I use color coding to view pipes based on how full they are?
- How does CivilStorm compute runoff from catchments?
- What rainfall information is required for a CivilStorm calculation?
- Can CivilStorm perform a continuous simulation?
- How does CivilStorm compute headloss at junctions?
- Can I generate hydrographs of flow at any element in my system?
- What’s the difference between StormCAD and CivilStorm?
- Can I export my CivilStorm model to StormCAD at a later date?
- What is the difference between CivilStorm’s two calculation engines?
- Is CivilStorm included with an MLS subscription?
1. Why do I need a model like CivilStorm to analyse a storm sewer system?
CivilStorm’s dynamic stormwater modeling engines calculate runoff hydrographs and analyze the hydraulic response through interdependent systems of inlets, pipes, channels, culverts, pumps and ponds. Engineers can use CivilStorm to analyze a complex storm sewer system and quickly identify backwater storage effects and bottlenecks in the system that can result in costly unexpected flooding. Then, with CivilStorm’s Scenario Manager, users can track through as many what-if upgrade designs as desired, using the visualization tools in the user interface to help with decision making.
2. How do I get started creating a CivilStorm model?
Modern model building tools make it possible to create storm sewer models easily depending on your source of data. You can trace over a background file or automatically create the model from a CAD drawing, database, or shapefile. Once you build the model, you can perform a large number of design calculations in a short time, giving you a better solution and more than paying for your cost in software.
3. How can I get training on CivilStorm to help me get started?
Bentley offers a range of in-class and on-line training.
4. Does CivilStorm integrate with MicroStation or AutoCAD?
Out of the box, CivilStorm works as a stand-alone product or inside MicroStation. Optionally users can purchase CivilStorm for AutoCAD in order to use CivilStorm on the AutoCAD platform.
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5. Do I need two licenses if I want to use both the AutoCAD and stand-alone interfaces?
No. If you purchase CivilStorm for AutoCAD, you also get to use the CivilStorm stand-alone interface, and the MicroStation integration, and your models are going to be 100 percent compatible regardless of what interface you use.
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6. Storm sewer design is all about elevations. Can I look at profiles?
CivilStorm gives you the flexibility to view the model both in plan and profile. You can also play back the CivilStorm calculation results so that you can see the hydraulic grade line change over time in a profile view.
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7. Can CivilStorm handle oddly shaped storm sewers including arches and ellipses? What about open channel sections?
In addition to standard circular storm sewers, CivilStorm handles a variety of other shapes including arches, ellipses, and boxes. CivilStorm also includes the ability to model trapezoidal, triangular, rectangular and irregular-shaped prismatic open channel sections, as well as non-prismatic sections.
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8. Can I use color coding to view pipes based on how full they are?
Yes - you can color code pipes such that the color depends on depth / rise.
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9. How does CivilStorm compute runoff from catchments?
CivilStorm supports the following runoff methods: modified rational method; unit hydrograph methods (SCS, Generic and RTK); EPA SWMM method; or user-defined hydrographs. Infiltration loss can be computed according to the SCS CN method, Horton method, or Green-Ampt method.
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10. What rainfall information is required for a CivilStorm calculation?
If CivilStorm is used to compute runoff, users need to enter rainfall information. The rainfall data required for a CivilStorm calculation depends on the runoff method in use. For example, if using the Modified Rational Method to compute runoff, then rainfall intensity-duration-frequency data is required. For other runoff methods, storm event data can be entered as cumulative depth versus time curves, incremental depth versus time curves, intensity versus time curves or dimensionless curves with total storm depth.
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11. Can CivilStorm perform a continuous simulation?
CivilStorm is primarily designed to model discrete storm events, although it is possible to run a simulation containing several months of continuous precipitation data if required. Future CivilStorm releases will be optimized for continuous simulation, and should allow the simulation of up to 100 years of precipitation data.
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12. How does CivilStorm compute headloss at junctions?
CivilStorm can compute headloss at junctions according to a number of different methodologies, including: HEC-22, standard method and generic method.
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13. Can I generate hydrographs of flow at any element in my system?
Yes - CivilStorm models flows as they change over time. Hydrographs (graphs of flow versus time) can be produced at any element.
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14. What’s the difference between StormCAD and CivilStorm?
StormCAD and CivilStorm are complementary products with the following main differentiating features:
a. Hydraulic engine under the hood: StormCAD’s gradually varied flow engine makes it ideal for peak-flow simulations for system design and rehabilitation. On the other hand, CivilStorm uses a fully-dynamic engine (full resolution of St. Venant’s equations) that helps users to accurately model looped networks, flow splits, overflows, and storage capacity.
b. Automated design and rehabilitation: StormCAD users can leverage constraint-based automatic design features and flexible profiling features for optimized storm sewer designs. CivilStorm does not currently include automated constraint-based design features.
c. Modeling elements: StormCAD users can model catch basins, manholes, gravity pipes, prismatic channels, gutters, catchments and outlet structures. In addition to all StormCAD elements, CivilStorm users can also model non-prismatic open channels, culverts, pumps, wet wells, and detention structures.
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15. Can I export my CivilStorm model to StormCAD at a later date?
Currently it is not possible to open a CivilStorm model in StormCAD, however this will be supported in a future release.
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16. What is the difference between CivilStorm’s two calculation engines?
The "engine" refers to the type of numerical finite difference solution used to solve the St. Venant equations, which describe unsteady one-dimensional, free surface flow. Bentley CivilStorm v8 XM Edition contains two types of engines: the implicit engine (which uses a four-point implicit finite difference solver which tends to be more stable than an explicit solver at large timesteps); and the SWMM engine (which uses the solver from the EPA Stormwater Management Model version 5).
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17. Is CivilStorm included with an MLS subscription?
Yes. CivilStorm, as well as every other Bentley solution, is available through the Municipal License Subscription for a fixed annual fee based on your local government's population. Learn more about MLS here.