OpenFlows FLOOD

Expert services and tailored training, when and where you need it.

At Virtuosity, we understand how important it is to get the most out of every working moment. You need to limit downtime, and use each software application to its fullest potential.  There is just no time to spare. That's why every software purchase through Virtuosity comes as a bundle with “Keys” or credits that can be redeemed for expert services and training, so you can get started right away. Learn more about our training options.

Each practitioner license comes with a number of "Keys" and you can always purchase additional "Keys" as you go. 

There is a menu of expert services and training options that you can redeem your "Keys" for:

Areas of Application

• Rivers 
• Estuaries 
• Coastal areas 
• Cities and urban drainage systems 
• Cities and urban drainage systems
• Critical infrastructure and industrial facilities

Flood Simulation Due to

• Heavy rainfall and storm events 
• Soil water saturation 
• Dam breaks 
• Levee or dike breach 
• Inefficient urban drainage capacity 
• Storm surge 
• Tsunamis 
• Sea level rise 
• Exceptionally high tides (king tides)

Hydraulics

• 2D overland flow 
• 1D river/open channel bidirectional flow 
• 1D pipe flow model (OpenFlows SewerGEMS/ SWMM solvers) 
• 1D river and 1D pipe coupling with 2D overland flow 
• 3D subsurface flow 
• Adaptive variable time step 
• Extended period simulations 
• Kinematic, diffusion, and dynamic wave (St. Venant equations) approaches 
• Multiple point discharges input 
• Multiple open boundary conditions 
• Infiltration methods: Green-Ampt and SCS Curve number 
• Dynamic simulation of surface and groundwater interaction 
• Robust, accurate, and fast numerical solvers 
• OpenMP parallel processing technology

Hydrology

• Spatially and temporally variable precipitation 
• Automatic separation of precipitation into snow and rainfall 
• Multiple evapotranspiration methods 
• Water uptake by vegetation roots 
• Precipitation interception by vegetation 

Environmental Processes

• Fecal contamination dispersion 
• Biochemical oxygen demand 
• Transport and dispersion of dissolved and particulate matter 
• Sediment transport via erosion or deposition 
• Splash erosion 
• Advanced water quality and water pollution modeling engine: transport, dispersion, and transformation of water quality properties, nutrients, and pollutants Graphical Interface and Visualization 
• Rich graphical user Windows interface 
• Map display with dynamic zooming and navigation 
• Multiple background layer support in Bing 
• Dynamic multiparameter and multiscenario graphing 
• Property-based color coding and symbology 
• Surface water flow direction displayed across any terrain 
• Automatic input and result fields filtering 
• Automated flood and hazard mapping 
• User-defined cross-section flow visualization 
• Node and time series data and results visualization 
• Multiple layout templates 
• Static and dynamic outputs 

Model Building

• Automatic coupling between 2D overland flow and OpenFlows SewerGEMS or SWMM 1D drainage network models 
• Automatic generation of inlets from buildings and streets 
• Dam break outflow hydrograph generation tools 
• Build and manage hydraulic models 
• Create and edit geographical data layers (points, lines, polygons) 
• Computational grid generation 
• Digital terrain model generation, processing, and editing 
• Various 2D spatial interpolation methods 
• Digital terrain model depression removal capability 
• Automatic watershed and drainage network delineation 
• Automatic computation of watershed areas, slopes, and flow direction 
• Automatic construction of default cross-sections (Strahler order, drained area) 
• Irregular cross-sections support 
• Cross-section editing capability 
• Spatially variable data processing capabilities 
• Automatic generation of curve numbers from land cover data 
• Automatic generation of Manning coefficients 
• Spatial and temporal interpolation capabilities for rain gauge networks 
• Automatic generation of meteorological data from models and re-analysis databases

Interoperability

• Import Bentley TIN format digital terrain model files 
• Direct import of ContextCapture 3D digital terrain models 
• Output formats compatible with LumenRT 
• Support for GDAL Raster formats (ARC, ADF, TIFF, etc.) 
• Support for EsriShapefile format 
• Support for WKT format 
• Export to KML Google Earth format 
• Automatic import of NASA DTM database (worldwide) 
• Native output format seamlessly supported by LumenRT 3D visualization tool 

Simulation and Scenario Management

• Load and process models 
• Restart simulations 
• Unlimited scenarios and alternatives 
• Comprehensive scenario management  
• Scenario comparison 

Processor 
1.8 GHz or faster 

Memory 
2 GB or more 

Display Color Depth  
32 bits  

Display Resolution  
1280 x 1024 or higher  

Disk Space  
900 MB  

Software  
Windows 8, 10, Server or later, Microsoft.NET Framework 4.7 or later 

What is the difference between FLOOD and HEC-RAS?

All the equations and numerical methods, and source code from the 2D flood model (MOHID) is available online.  This is a collaborative, free, opensource “model”. HEC-RAS is free, but not open-source which means that an advanced user is not able to check source code or modify it.

FLOOD numerical solver (MOHID) was analyzed for comparison with a benchmark study from UK Environment Agency. This methodology has been adopted as the world reference for benchmarking 2D flood modeling. FLOOD results are compatible with most solutions.

FLOOD can be used as a single tool for an integrated 2D flood model, while HEC-RAS does not have direct rain-on-grid, infiltration, or evapotranspiration.  You would need an additional tool called HEC-HMS for other hydrological parameters and processes.

You do not need to specify the area or time of concentration for a catchment in FLOOD. Digital Surface model together with 2D calculation (Saint-Venant and Manning-Strickler equations) will do this for you. Additionally, you do not need to enter depression data as the 2D surface contains topographical data which is considered in runoff estimation. FLOOD has tools to remove depressions from the ground surface if required.

FLOOD is a full GIS-enabled GUI. You can handle GIS data inside (e.g. Bing Maps; shapefiles, RASTER files, etc.), including results visualization. HEC-RAS visualization needs to be handled in separate tools or 3rd party software licensing (e.g. such as ArcGIS).

Does FLOOD integrate with other products?

As part of Bentley Systems, FLOOD has an added value of being integrated into a broad portfolio and roadmap of interoperable and collaborative technologies and products across multiple disciplines and competences. Some unique examples of the advantages of being integrated into the Bentley software environment:

• FLOOD can run based in DSM generated by ContextCapture, which uses photogrammetric techniques applied to surveys in LIDAR or images from cameras to generate reality mesh models.
• You can seamlessly have 4D visualization of FLOOD output results in Bentley’s LumenRT, integrating life-like digital nature into simulated infrastructure designs, and create high-impact visuals for stakeholders.
• FLOOD can integrate with Bentley’s OpenCities Planner, a cloud-based service that enables visualization of 2D, 3D, and GIS data in a city-scale digital twin where you can design, visualize, and communicate projects from large-scale city developments to detailed architectural design.
• You can use FLOOD outputs to feed mobility modeling and accessibility in Cube software.
• You can design a road using OpenRoads ConceptStation, and then generate the surface mesh model and easily ingest it in FLOOD.
• You can use FLOOD projects to implement and configure flood early warning / forecasting systems, through the application of ACTION Server product.
• Integration with OpenFlows SewerGEMS project allows you to use the designed 1D network and to run 1D:2D model approach inside FLOOD. FLOOD improves your efficiency for setting up 2D flow models, running, post-processing and visualizing the results.  It is the only tool capable of doing the full modeling cycle with all the advanced tools for handling models and results. FLOOD can run coupled 1D (natural or artificial channels, in both surface and subsurface) and 2D (overland flow) models.
• FLOOD can also be coupled with SWMM to run 1D and 2D models but integration with OpenFlows SewerGEMS provides a smoother experience.
• Being a full GIS system, FLOOD can cover your needs to consume, manipulate and generate data and model results in multiple formats (e.g. shapefiles, GDAL RASTER files, Google Earth KML/KMZ, TIN files, INP drainage network models from SWMM). This allows you to establish input / output data fluxes and interoperability across an array of software products.

What are the differences between FLOOD, OpenFlows CivilStorm, OpenFlows SewerGEMS?

There are differences in the methodology adopted by FLOOD and storm-sewer products such as CivilStorm and SewerGEMS. Using CivilStorm or SewerGEMS, you must explicitly provide data in the form of specific parameters such as surface roughness values, time of concentration and depression data (if the surface has areas of ponding). All these factors are automatically considered using FLOOD.

You do not need to specify the area or time of concentration for a catchment in FLOOD. Digital Surface model together with 2D calculation (Saint-Venant and Manning-Strickler equations) will do this for you. Additionally, you do not need to enter depression data as the 2D surface contains topographical data which is considered in runoff estimation. FLOOD has tools to remove depressions from the ground surface if required.

Runoff generation and other processes are complex. With FLOOD, it is primarily generated based on the 2D surface terrain and the modules selected to run. The runoff hydrograph from a catchment in CivilStorm or SewerGEMS is based on a more simplified approach such as the SCS method which only takes the area, permeability factor (like the SCS CN) and Tc into consideration.

FLOOD provides more realistic runoff hydrographs and estimations whereas CivilStorm, SewerGEMS, or StormCAD rely on standard runoff estimation methods such as SCS CN, and IDF Curves for runoff estimation, useful for a more conservative design.

FLOOD can generate advanced water quality and pollutant dispersion modeling studies in water environments.