Adding input data to the Designer

A key to getting good solution results from the Designer is to have good inputs. The goal is to lay out system elements like pipes and facilities under different conditions, so the Designer can make sure the network can handle these different operating conditions.

Access the Designer through the InfoWater Pro App Manager.

With Apps selected on the InfoWater Pro ribbon, the App Manager is open, and the Designer app is called out with a red arrow.

Once in the Designer app, start setting up inputs and options to control the simulation run. From the View menu, select Input Data.

From the Mode menu, select the type of Designer simulation to set up and run:

In the Designer app, Input Data view, the expanded Mode menu with options highlighted in red.

Steady State mode looks at the inputs and specific operating conditions entered.
Fire Flow mode examines fire flow needs for pipes and facilities.
Extended Period mode is like Steady State mode, except specific operating conditions are not added. In this case, the simulation uses the entire extended period as the operating condition.

Groups

Under Group, three types of groups can be set up: pipes, pumps, and tanks.

The Designer app, Input Data view, with Groups highlighted in red, and Pipe Groups selected to display pipe group options.

Pipe Groups are used to define the design groups to be used in the optimization analysis.

Each pipe in the network can only be used once in any pipe group.
Every pipe within a pipe group is assigned the same diameter.
The Cost determines which cost multipliers are applied to that pipe group.

For Pump Groups and Tank Groups, set up unique cost codes for each type.

Click DB Editor to create, view, and edit group information.

Use the Color column to assign colors to specific pipe, pump, and tank groups, for better visibility in the network map.

Actions

Define improvements to be considered by the Designer. Set up the cost matrix for the actions to implement for pipe, pump, and tank groups.

The Designer app, Input Data view, with Actions highlighted in red, and Pipe Actions selected to display relevant cost matrix.

The Pipe Actions table has three pre-defined actions: New, Parallel, or Replace.

Add other Pipe Actions, if needed.
For pumps and tanks, define the actions, such as "Replace pumps" or "Add Storage".
Fill in the details in the tables for each Action.

Constraints

Define penalty costs to be added to the solution when constraints are violated during the simulation. Junction and Pipe constraints can be set globally for the entire domain, or for node-specific junctions or pipes. Node-specific constraints override domain constraints.

The Designer app, Input Data view, with Constraints highlighted in red and Pipe selected to display pipe constraint settings.

Operations

Set operating conditions for Steady State or Fire Flow modes.

For Steady State simulations, the Designer analyzes the system under all conditions listed in the operations table. Up to 10 different conditions can be set up.

The Designer app, Input Data view, with Steady State mode highlighted in red, and with Operations highlighted and selected to display the Operations table, organized by Case ID.

For Fire Flow simulations, specify up to 1000 individual condition requirements. The Designer identifies the piping needed to meet these fire flow conditions.

The Designer app, Input Data view, with Fire Flow mode highlighted in red, and with Operations highlighted and selected to display the Operations table, organized by Fire ID.

Options

Before running a Designer simulation, review and set optimization Options.

The Designer app, Input Data view, with Options highlighted and selected to display settings, including data units, weighted cost factors, and termination criteria.

Specify data units, time settings, penalty costs and weighting factors, maximum number of solutions, and termination criteria.
Access advanced Genetic Algorithm options, although these settings usually do not need to be changed.
Look for messages in the Message Board. View information messages, as well as warnings and instructions to help set up Designer inputs.

With all required Input Data entered, a Designer optimization run is ready to be executed.