SMS

Using the Temporal Tools in the Dataset Toolbox

By aquaveo on September 9, 2020

SMS contains several ways to work with datasets. Perhaps the most useful of these is the Dataset Toolbox. The Dataset Toolbox has several tools for generating new datasets. Among these are the temporal tools which allow adjusting the time steps for a transient dataset. The temporal tools include two options: Sample Time Steps and Merge Dataset.

The Sample Time Steps tool allows the creation of a dataset with a different number of time steps. The time steps can either be increased or decreased. To use the Sample Time Steps tool:

Open the Dataset Toolbox and select the Sample Time Steps tool.
Select the transient dataset you want to use.
Select the starting and end times.
Enter the time step frequency and units.
Give the new dataset a name and click Sample.

Dataset Toolbox showing the Sample Time Steps tool

The other temporal tool is the Merge Dataset tool. This allows us to combine two transient datasets. To use this tool, the transient datasets being combined cannot have overlapping time steps. Most often, this tool is used to append multiple simulation runs together.

For example, if you completed an SRH-2D model run for one day, then created a new simulation for a second day (using a hot start file from the end of the first day simulation run), you could combine the results of the two simulation runs using the Merge Dataset tool.

To use the Merge Dataset tool:

Open the Dataset Toolbox and select the Merge Datasets tool.
Select the first dataset to use, then select the second dataset.
Enter a name for the combined dataset and click Compute.

When using the Merge Dataset tool, make certain that the first dataset selected has time steps that are earlier than the second dataset selected.

The temporal tools in the Dataset Toolbox provide a simple way to adjust transient datasets in your project. Try using these tools in SMS today!

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Viewing Vectors on the Watersurface

By aquaveo on August 19, 2020

With the release of SMS 13.1 beta, a new option has been added to the Vector tab. The existing Vector tab in the Display Options dialog allows viewing vector data as arrows as data points in your project. SMS can change the density of how the vector arrows are displayed and to display the vector arrows along a constant elevation. This new option allows you to display the model vectors relative to a selected dataset.

To use this option:

Open the Display Options, turn on vectors, and go to the Vector tab.
On the Vector tab and change the Origin to be "Relative to dataset".
Select the Dataset button under the Origin to bring a tree item selector dialog.
Select the Dataset you want to use.

After closing out the Display Options dialog, you will be able to see the vectors relative to the selected dataset. For example, if you use a water surface elevation dataset, you would be able to see the vectors relative to the water surface elevation.

Vectors relative to the water surface elevation

This option is available for all modules that allow displaying vectors. This includes the 2D mesh module, Cartesian grid module, quadtree module, and scatter set module.

There is also an option to specify an offset for the selected dataset. For example, you could set the offset to 1 or 2 to get the vectors slightly above the surface. The result would show the vectors mapped 1 or 2 feet above the ground elevation.

This addition to the vector display option can be used with any dataset in the same module. Therefore, any dataset in the mesh module can be used with a mesh, any dataset in the scatter module can be used with a scatter set, etc.

Try out using the new "Relative to dataset" vector display option in the SMS 13.1 beta today!

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SMS

Announcing SMS13.1 Beta

By aquaveo on July 29, 2020

Aquaveo is pleased to announce the release of SMS 13.1 Beta! A number of new features have been added to this version, and we'd like to highlight a few of them.

3D Bridge

The new 3D Bridge feature allows creating a visual representation of a 3 bridge. This representation uses a 3D UGrid to visualize the bridge in the graphics window. After creating a 3D bridge, the feature can be visualized in an observation profile plot.Using the 3D feature allows generating a ceiling elevation dataset to represent the maximum water surface that can be reached at each point in the mesh at the intere. The bridge data can be exported as an XMUGRID file for use in multiple projects.

Universal Select Tool

The Select Objects tool allows selecting multiple types of feature objects at the same time from the same tool. The selection information at the bottom of the screen changes if multiple types of objects are selected to show how many of each object is selected. The right-click menu changes to match the selected object type. If multiple feature object types are selected, then the right-click menus will be combined.

Extract Features

The Extract Features tool allows you to use a raster to generate feature arcs for channel centerlines, ridge centerlines, or channel cross sections and banklines. This can speed up the creation of the centerlines and cross sections by removing the need to manually create each feature individually. Options for this feature include the ability to extract all centerlines, extract all centerlines with one or more selected depression points, extracting a single centerline, or extracting channel banklines and cross sections.

HEC-RAS 1D

SMS 13.1 Beta includes support for creating and editing HEC-RAS 1D cross sections and attributes. These cross sections can be imported from HEC-RAS as SDF files and saved as a HEC-GeoRAS file for inclusion into a HEC-RAS project.

These are just a few of the new features in the SMS 13.1 beta. Try out these features and more by downloading the SMS 13.1 Beta today!

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SMS

How SRH-2D and HY-8 Work Together

By aquaveo on July 8, 2020

SMS allows using HY-8 to create culverts in SRH-2D models. HY-8 was created to model culvert profiles. When SRH-2D was being developed, structure boundary conditions were allowed to be linked HY-8 culverts to SRH-2D. Doing this permits SMS to make use of the more robust tools of HY-8 when designing culverts.

When designing a culvert for an SRH-2D model in SMS 13.0:

Right-click on the SRH-2D BC coverage and open the HY-8 Options dialog.
From the dialog, create the HY-8 file for the project.
On the SRH-2D BC coverage, create two arcs for the culvert: one for the inlet side of the culvert and one for the outlet side.
Select both arcs and open the SRH-2D Linear BC dialog.
In the dialog, select the Culvert HY-8 option and launch HY-8 to connect the HY-8 file.
In HY-8 design your culvert.

There are a few items to keep in mind when creating your culvert:

Pay attention to where the culvert is located and how it snaps to the mesh in SMS. Designing your culvert for a location that doesn’t match up with your culvert is designed in HY-8 can cause discrepancies. Also, it helps to have the inflow entering the culvert at as close to a 90 degree angle as possible.
Note that the crest length for constant elevation roadway profiles is the length between embankments.
After the initial model run, the inflow values to the culvert may need to be adjusted and calibrated. If SRH-2D is showing lower or higher flow values, adjust the values in HY-8 as needed.
Using a monitor line at the inlet or outlet side of the culvert. The results of the monitor lines may be different than what HY-8 reports. Use this difference to calibrate the model.
2D mesh elements are disabled between the culvert arcs during the model run.

HY-8 makes a great addition to SRH-2D in SMS. HY-8 is shipped with SMS, so feel free to try it out with your models today!

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