Full Description

Hydraulic modeling for water networks is now considered to be necessary for themanagement of distribution systems worldwide. Advances in technology have greatlyincreased the functionality of modeling software. Packages are now Windows based,can handle larger networks, and can process hydraulic calculations insignificantly reduced times. Links between modeling packages and geographicinformation systems (GIS) are becoming commonplace, and links with telemetry aregrowing. The increased size and speed of modeling software has raised theexpectations of client users who now require all-mains modeling of theirnetworks. This increases the amount of data needed to populate the models andraises the possibility of inaccuracies entering the system, especially where datais manually digitized into the model and demands are allocated to nodes throughobservation. Despite, or perhaps because of, the advances in technology, there isa very real danger that the costs of hydraulic modeling will increase and therisk of inaccuracy will grow. Also, advances in traditional modeling techniqueshave done nothing to solve the problems of controlling, maintaining and updatingthe models once they have been built and the limited set of users to whom theyare available. However, Vivendi Water (United Kingdom (UK)) and WallingfordSoftware are developing ways to bring the overall cost of hydraulic modeling downand to increase the sense of ownership of the models across the business, spreading the cost through either direct contribution or indirectbenefit. This paper sets out the methods by which costs of hydraulic models canbe reduced while still increasing their value for the overall benefit of theuser. The paper draws on experiences of the authors in promoting hydraulicmodeling to achieve business objectives while maintaining control of costs andoutput. This paper describes the water distribution activities of Vivendi Water(UK), and its requirements for hydraulic modeling. Wallingford Software's role inhydraulic modeling is outlined briefly. This is followed by an analysis of thecosts of the components of capital works and the modeling component inparticular. As a point of reference, the way in which modeling is donetraditionally in the UK is explained. The way that Vivendi Water (UK) andWallingford Software are automating the model building and maintenance process isdescribed. It is proposed that the potential benefits of automation can only beachieved with tight model management in place, which is explained. Includes table, figure.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 01/01/2000 Number of Pages: 10File Size: 1 file , 140 KB