Aquaveo & Water Resources Engineering News

As a civil engineer working with hydrodynamic modeling, you understand the importance of considering sediment transport in many models, such as CMS-Flow. The sediment transport equation is essential as it models the rate of sediment particle movement based on various factors, including local flow conditions and sediment properties. With the sediment transport module in CMS-Flow, you can achieve a more accurate representation of river or coastal systems. It also enables you to explore different scenarios such as changes in flow conditions, sediment input, or sea level rise.

Using the Surface-water Modeling System (SMS), the base of a CMS-Flow model is created on an unstructured grid (UGrid), with components such as save points, activity classification coverage, and boundary conditions. Save points are vital for identifying high temporal resolution output locations. Activity classification coverages exclude geographic regions from the simulation computations. A boundary conditions coverage is a required component for any simulation.

Once you have created these components, you can create a new CMS-Flow simulation by right-clicking in the Project Explorer. Next, apply the UGrid and any coverages you want to include in the simulation by dragging them under the simulation. You can then set the parameters for sediment transport by following these steps:

1. Right-click on the simulation and select Model Control to open the CMS-Flow Model Control dialog.
2. Select the Sediment Transport tab and check the box next to Calculate sediment transport.
3. Under the Sediment Transport tab, input various parameters to refine sediment transport in the simulation. These include sediment density and porosity, bed composition, transport formula, and more.
4. Set all other desired parameters in the tabs of the CMS-Flow Model Control dialog and click OK when finished.

Once you have set all the necessary parameters, you are ready to run the CMS-Flow simulation with its included sediment transport calculations. By utilizing sediment transport, you can refine your CMS-Flow model further and achieve more accurate results.

In conclusion, sediment transport is an essential process that needs to be considered in hydrodynamic models like CMS-Flow. With the sediment transport module in CMS-Flow, you can achieve a more realistic representation of river or coastal systems and explore various scenarios. Follow the steps outlined above to set the sediment transport parameters and refine your CMS-Flow model in SMS today.

Did you know that you can use CAD files to delineate your watershed area in a Watershed Modeling System (WMS) project? WMS is capable of using CAD data for elevation data, designs, layouts, and more. CAD data can be converted to TINs and feature objects to be implemented in a WMS project.

When converting the CAD data to feature objects, you can choose which layers from the data you would like to use when creating the new feature object. After that, you can clean up the feature object and choose all the properties for the coverage. To convert CAD data into feature objects, do the following:

1. Import the CAD data into WMS from a DWG, DXF, or DGN file.
2. After importing the CAD data, review the data to verify that it was imported correctly and that it has the correct projection.
3. Right-click on the file in the Project Explorer and select Convert | Feature Objects….
4. In the Cad → Feature Objects dialog, select which layers to convert into feature objects.
5. Make certain the new coverage is set to have the "drainage" type.
6. Designate the converted feature objects as outlet points and streams. Also verify that any stream arcs a set with the correct direction.

With the CAD data converted to feature objects and you've designated your outlets and streams, you can start the process of delineating your watershed. To do this, you will need a DEM in your project. If you have elevation data stored in a CAD file, you will first need to convert the CAD data to a TIN.

CAD data can be converted into TIN points or TIN triangles, but the best way to end up with TIN triangles is to convert into TIN points first. To convert CAD data directly into TINs, do the following:

1. Import the CAD data into WMS in the form of a DWG, DXF, or DGN file.
2. Right-click on the file in the Project Explorer and select Convert | CAD Points → TIN Points.
3. In the Cad → TIN dialog, select which layers to convert and the name the TIN data will appear under in the Project Explorer.
4. Right-click on the TIN point data in the Project Explorer and select Triangles | Triangulate.

From here you can convert the TIN to DEM if necessary. The TIN module in WMS has a few tools for working with basins that may be sufficient for your model. However, some models either perform better or require a DEM. Once you have the DEM you can generate the delineated basin. To do this:

1. Right-click on the TIN and select Convert | TIN → DEM.
2. Enter parameters for the DEM in the Convert TIN to DEM dialog.
3. Review the generated DEM.

Once you have a DEM, complete the following steps:

1. Select DEM | Compute Flow Direction in the Drainage module.
2. Select DEM | Polygon Basin IDs →> DEM in the Drainage module.
3. Select DEM | Compute Basin Data in the Drainage module.

Once you have a delineated basin, you can use the basin with the watershed modeling model of your choice. Be certain to review the basin to make certain it contains all of the area you need for your project.

Head over to WMS and see how you can utilize CAD data to create delineated basins in your projects today!

Have you ever wanted a way to better visualize cross sections in your project? The Animation Wizard in the Ground-water Modeling System (GMS) can help you do just that. Any project involving a 3D mesh or 3D grid can utilize the cross section animation feature.

To build your initial cross section, you’ll need to start with a 3D mesh or grid as a foundation. After your foundation is set, build the cross section. Keep in mind that the Animation Wizard will create the animation through what is currently visible in the Graphics Window, so it is a good idea to get the display settings where you want them before starting the animation process.

Go to the Display menu and scroll down to the bottom to find the Animate option. Before initiating the animation, make sure that the cross section is active in the Graphics Window. Note that although the cross section needs to be active to create the animation, it doesn’t need to be turned on if you don’t want the static cross section from the project to be visible.

In the Animation Wizard dialog, turn on Cross-sections/Isosurfaces under Steady State. This is the option that animates the cross sections. You can change the speed of the animation by altering the number of frames per second, which is on the first page of the Animation Wizard, and the number of frames, which is on the second page. The lower the number of frames per second, the longer the animation will spend on each cross section, and vice versa.

The second page of the Animation Wizard is where you can specify the plane over which the cross sections will be animated. You can animate over the X, Y, or Z-axis, or any combination of the three. You can also alter more of the display options for the animation under the Cross Section Option button on this page.

After clicking Finish, the Animation Wizard will automatically export the cross section animation as an MP4 file, and you can open the MP4 file to view the finished product.

Even more settings and options are available that were not covered in this post, explore what cross section animations can do for your GMS project today!

Aquaveo has joined in the Engineering with Nature (EWN) initiative started by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by adding Engineering with Nature tools into the Surface-water Modeling System (SMS). EWN aims to move toward a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient approach to engineering by considering social, environmental, and economic impacts. To support the mission of EWN initiative, SMS has developed multiple tools. Let's look at some of these tools.

Adding engineering features into your project can sometimes be a long and tedious process. With the EWN Features tool in SMS you can streamline the process, reducing the amount of time that would have been spent inputting the necessary data before. The EWN Features tool is built especially for creating feature objects to represent structures in natural environments. To use the tool, create a new map coverage and select the EWN Features type in the Engineering with Nature folder under the list of Model types to begin building structures into your SMS project.

Once you have a EWN Features coverage, you can create polygons to model the feature. You then can assign attributes and properties to the polygon. Once you have the feature properties defined, you can use the tools in the coverage to insert the define feature into a 2D mesh or 2D unstructured grid (UGrid).

Another EWN tool is the Sediment Volume Management tool. The Sediment Volume Management tool allows you to calculate cut and fill for sediment volume. Like the EWN Feature tool, this tool is accessed by creating a new map coverage with the Sediment Volume Transport type found in the Engineering with Nature folder under the list of Model Types. In the coverage you can create polygons and assigned sediment parameters. Then the sediment volume calculations can be performed using the tools in the coverage.

Additional EWN tools are in development for SMS. Look for them in future releases of SMS. In the meantime, try out using EWN in SMS today!