7/15/2019 Differences between solvers: GVF-Convex vs. GVF-Rational vs. Implicit vs.

cit vs. Explicit (SWMM) - OpenFlows | Hydraulics and Hydrology Wi…

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Differences between solvers: GVF-

Convex vs. GVF-Rational vs. Implicit vs.
Explicit (SWMM)
Product(s): SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, CivilStorm, StormCAD

Version(s): CONNECT Edition, V8i

Area: Modeling

Problem
What are the differences between the SewerCAD (GVF Convex Solver), SewerGEMS/CivilStorm (Implicit
and Explicit Dynamic solvers), and StormCAD (GVF Rational Solver)?

When should I use StormCAD instead of CivilStorm?

Solution
The SewerCAD GVF Convex solver uses convex routing and a gradually varied flow profile for design
and analysis of of sewer networks including mixed gravity and pressure flow.

SewerGEMS is a superset of SewerCAD, including all its functionality, plus two fully dynamic
solvers (Implicit and Explicit) and ArcGIS integration support.

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SewerGEMS Sanitary was a separate program included with older versions of SewerGEMS V8i
(08.11.01.21, 08.11.02.46, 08.11.02.49 and 08.11.02.75). It is installed automatically when installing these
versions of SewerGEMS and includes all the functionality of the Bentley SewerCAD product, plus the
ability to work inside of ArcGIS.

As of SewerGEMS V8i SELECTseries 3 (08.11.03.77+) SewerGEMS Sanitary is no longer available with

this specific brand name because of the conversion of all of our storm and sewer products into a unified
file format. The unified file format now allows all the storm sewer products (StormCAD, SewerCAD,
SewerGEMS, CivilStorm, and SewerGEMS) to open a model created in another product. In creating the
unified schema SewerGEMS has been changed to incorporate all the storm sewer solvers, so if you want
to run the SewerCAD solver (GVF-Convex) on your network you have the option to. This is really the
same thing as having SewerGEMS Sanitary come with SewerGEMS, except you no longer need to open
a separate program, and you also have the option to run the GVF-Rational (StormCAD) solver for your
model if you choose.

In other words, With the SewerGEMS SS3 release Bentley accomplished a convergence of SewerGEMS
Sanitary modeling fully into SewerGEMS. As a result SewerGEMS embodies effectively a superset of the
capabilities delivered in StormCAD, CivilStorm, SewerCAD, and SewerGEMS. All consolidate into a
common data store. All differentiate by the computational solvers that are selectively packaged into each
product in service to a range of commercial use-cases across stormwater, sanitary, and combined
systems. With this release SewerGEMS Sanitary was deprecated. It was cleanly folded into the
SewerGEMS application.

How do I know which solver is best for me to

use?
SewerCAD (GVF Convex) vs. SewerGEMS (Implicit and Explicit)
The SewerCAD application (and the GVF Convex numerical solver in SewerGEMS) is best used in
systems that have complicated pumping, pressure sewers, and only need to use extended period
simulation convex (EPS) routing as opposed to fully dynamic routing. SewerCAD should also be used if
you need to perform a constraint-based automated design or if you need to run a steady state simulation,
such as for a peak flow analysis with Extreme Flow methods.

SewerCAD can be thought of as a bread-and-butter package that delivers conventional design and
capacity analysis. Municipal-scale master planning is certainly part of it, but serves very well in site/civil
arena as well. Routing is hydrologic with conventional back-water dominant hydraulics. Gravity analysis is
complete with well-accepted state-of-the-practice hydraulic grade analysis with form losses. Diversions or
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splits are handled in explicit ways. I&I, similarly, is modeled using an array of fundamental and
appropriate simplifying models.

On the other hand, the SewerGEMS/Civlstorm applications layer into the mix solvers for dynamic wave
simulation (implicit and explicit (SWMM), with ArcGIS integration support. So, if you have challenging
cross-connections, loops or dynamic surcharging and ponding, this gives you the capabilities of EPA
SWMM along with Bentley's own implicit solver. SewerGEMS (Implicit or Explicit Dynamic numerical
solvers) is best for analyzing existing problematic systems, where catchment rainfall-runoff calculations
are required or dynamic wave solutions are needed (if required by the reviewer or by way of the
complicated nature of the particular network) or if you must work inside the ArcGIS platform.

SewerGEMS can handle complex things like control structures, diversions (without having to enter a
diversion rating curve required in SewerCAD/GVF Convex solver) or ponds. Long term continuous
simulations would be done using the Explicit solver in SewerGEMS. The "solver" refers to the type of
numerical finite difference solution used to solve the St. Venant equations, which describe unsteady one-
dimensional, free surface flow. The software contains two different solvers::

Implicit solver - Uses a four-point implicit finite difference solver to find the numerical solutions for the
hydrodynamic Saint-Venant equations. This solver is based on the National Weather Service FLDWAV
model. The implicit solver tends to be more stable with pumping situations.

Explicit (SWMM) solver - Uses the solver from the EPA Stormwater Management Model version 5
(SWMM). The results from this solver should exactly match the results from SWMM 5. The explicit solver
tends to be more stable with fast changing areas such as ponds or control structures where the flow or
elevation changes quickly over multiple time steps.

There is an initial elevation attribute for manholes using the SWMM engine so that the calculation
can simulate a filling process if the initial elevation is lower than the downstream start elevation.
However in the Implicit engine the manhole initial elevation is not considered, so the initial manhole
elevation is assumed to be the same as the downstream start elevation.

Inflow hydrographs are also handled differently by the two engines. The implicit engine interpolates
flows between the final flow in the hydrograph and the end time. The SWMM engine assumes that all
flows after the final inflow point are zero.

*Note: If a catchment is using the EPA SWMM runoff method and not using the default
infiltration method specified in the SWMM calculation options then neither hydrology or
network will calculate. If you are not using the EPA SWMM runoff method, then any
combination of other runoff methods can be used.

Note: Starting with the CONNECT Edition Update 2 release of SewerGEMS and CivilStorm, you now
have the option select to use either the Bentley-enhanced version of the SWMM solver or the straight
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SWMM solver also found in EPA-SWMM. You can select this from the properties of the Calculation
Option.

GVF-Convex (SewerCAD) solver is not intended to handle overflow situations such as a case where
you want to analyze a problematic existing system. When an overflow condition arises with the GVF
Convex solver, the HGL is reset to the rim for an overflow condition. However, the dynamic solvers in
SewerGEMS (Implicit and Explicit SWMM solvers) do handle overflow, as they are intended for situations
like this (problematic existing systems and/or complex situations). SewerGEMS Implicit and Explicit
solvers automatically calculate the overflow using the weir equation.

So, SewerGEMS differentiates in the market as being a singular, "top of the line" tool that will carry the
engineer though all stages of design and analysis from conventional capacity and automated design of
pipe networks into complex hydraulics of combined-sewer systems. SewerGEMS will handle both storm
and sanitary models. Importantly, if you have any old StormCAD, SewerCAD or CivilStorm files they can
all be loaded into SewerGEMS and brought cleanly ahead.

The GVF Rational Solver

Note: Currently the StormCAD numerical solver is included with CivilStorm, so CivilStorm has all of the
functionality of StormCAD included, by way of selection of GVF Rational as the active numerical solver.

The StormCAD product (and the GVF Rational Solver in SewerGEMS and CivilStorm) uses the rational
method to analyze or design a system under peak flow conditions based on peak rainfall intensity, while
the other solvers in CivilStorm and SewerGEMS such as the Implicit or Explicit, takes rainfall hyetographs
(rain vs. time) and develops hydrographs (flow vs. time) for each pipe and routes the flows dynamically. If
you are studying a small area where only peak flow is of interest, or if you need to design a system based
on the standard rational method, then StormCAD or the StormCAD solver (GVF Rational) should be
adequate. If you are working on a large area where hydrograph routing and storage are significant, where
you need to use a dynamic solver, or if you need to otherwise analyze more complex effects such as
flooding and controls structures, then the Implicit and Explicit solvers in CivilStorm (or SewerGEMS) is
what you need.

If you get involved with combined sewers where rain and sanitary sewage is carried in the same pipe, we
recommend you use one of the dynamic solvers in SewerGEMS.

See Also
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StormCAD FAQ

SewerCAD FAQ

SewerGEMS FAQ

Conduit start/stop control structures

 SewerGEMS Sanitary  EPA SWMM  StormCAD  GVF-Convex  SewerGEMS

 SewerCAD  EPA SWMM Solver  Implicit Solver  CivilStorm  GVF-Rational

 solvers

Created by Jesse Dringoli

When: Thu, Jan 30 2014 1:58 PM

Last revision by Scott Kampa

When: Fri, Dec 28 2018 1:36 PM
Revisions: 25
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