Adding a Bridge to an InfoWorks ICM river model

This tutorial has been designed to help you understand the various steps involved in
adding a bridge to a river model in InfoWorks ICM. It must be completed in
conjunction with the ‘Building a River Reach in InfoWorks ICM’ Tutorial which should
be finished before embarking on adding a bridge.

When building a bridge in ICM you should have reliable survey data available in an
external source. Such data would include bridge cross section data, bridge deck data
and bridge opening data. It is also advantageous to have good LiDAR data for the
surrounding area available to capture items such as bank lines, pond and ditches.

Before starting make sure that a master database is open and that within it there is a
model group and second copy of the completed model from the river reach tutorial.
Rename the second copy ‘Adding a bridge’.

Open the network ‘Adding a Bridge’.

The first step is to add bridge cross section data from .csv file. The file is called
bridges.csv and should be imported using the following method: Network > Import
> Update from csv files…

This process creates three new bridge survey lines just downstream of the storage
area. These survey lines represent the bridge faces (front and back) and also the
bridge deck.

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Now that there is some cross sectional data a physical bridge needs to be inserted.
To do this insert two break nodes upstream and downstream of the bridge sections.
Remember to split the river reach when you add the nodes. Call the upstream node
‘Bridge 1’ and the downstream node ‘Bridge 2’.

If you wish, set the upstream node ground level to 130.72mAD and the downstream
node ground level to 129.78mAD though break nodes do not necessarily need to
have an assigned ground level.

Delete the short section of river reach between the two new break nodes.

Draw a new link between the two break nodes ensuring the link type is set to Bridge.

Note: Make sure you draw the bridge upstream to downstream

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To build a bridge from these section lines select the bridge link and then go to Model
> Bridge > Build sections from lines. This will generate a report detailing the
building of the bridge.

The bridge now has 5 sections. There are the three that were created from the
imported section lines and two that were created on the splitting of the river reach.
These are crucial to the building of the bridge. The five sections are named as
follows (they are listed in order you will find them from US to DS):

· Upstream link section

· Upstream bridge section
· Bridge deck section
· Downstream bridge section
· Downstream link section

Each of these sections has their own set of data. Validate the network. All five of the
above sections are currently missing data.

The validation process indicates that bridge openings need to be defined. Use the
new object tool to draw a new bridge opening parallel to the bridge as shown below.
A bridge opening is defined as a line.

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Enter the following data for the bridge opening:

US Node ID: Bridge 1

Shape ID: Arch Sprung
Width: 5m
Height: 2m
Springing Height: 1.5m
Roughness: 0.038
Length: 10m
Upstream Invert Level: 130.60m
Downstream Invert Level: 130.60m

Select the bridge and the opening and then use Model -> Bridge -> Insert selected
openings into sections to complete the bridge structure.

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The last step in building a bridge is to define a boundary for the bridge. Select the
bridge and use ICM’s automatic boundary building tool Model > Bridge > Build
Boundary from section ends.

Validate the network then commit any changes.

To view the bridge opening use the properties tool to open the bridge opening
properties. Use the small arrow next to the shape ID parameter to open an additional
dialog box showing the opening shape.

The completed bridge can also be viewed. Using the properties tool open the bridge
properties. Use the preview button as shown below.

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The bridge can also be viewed in 3D. Zoom to the area to be viewed in 3D and use
the 3D tool to open a 3D window.

A simulation can now be run with this network. Create a new run and define the run
parameters as shown below:

Press the Run Simulation button. Choose which computer will carry out the
Simulation (“This Computer” by default) and press OK to launch the Simulation.
Once the simulation is complete you can look at the results.

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The InfoWorks ICM Bridge Model is complete.

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Oxfordshire, OX10 8BA
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Sales: Tel: +44 (0) 1491 821400

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