Software for design, analysis and calculation of water distribution networks

The basic topological elements of the Softplan topological model are nodes and sections. They then automatically form arrays, branches and systems. Arrays and branches can be merged, broken and edited. In this way, you can create your own topological units.

The advantages are:

• inputting and editing a large amount of data
• drawing longitudinal sections according to arrays or branches for the whole system at once
• intelligent selections of topological elements

Softplan offers a large number of intelligent topology selections:

• sections
• nodes
• arrays
• branches
• from station to station
• from node to node
• etc.

In the software, it is also possible to create your own sets of saved selections. Standard CAD selection can also be used in all functions.

Selections are found in all functions. Using selections, it is possible to easily and quickly:

• set network elements (trenches, pipes, manholes, etc.)
• preview and mark the elements in the situation
• draw longitudinal and cross-sections
• set terrain heights and all other necessary data

Softplan catalogs store information about:

• trenches
• manholes
• pipes
• fittings
• top layers
• etc.

Catalogs are edited through Microsoft Excel or Softplan interface. Catalog exchange can be done with other members of the project team. They can also be placed on a network location where multiple designers can use them simultaneously.

The configurations contain saved data and Softplan function settings. They are used to run and perform numerous functions such as:

• label
• thematic map
• preview
• query
• data import and export
• drawing cross and longitudinal sections
• etc.

It is possible to use several different configurations for the same function. By editing the configuration applied in the drawing, all parts of the drawing drawn with that configuration (e.g. longitudinal section configuration) are automatically updated. Configurations used in the project are saved in the drawing. They can be shared with other Softplan users through DWG files. They can be stored on a local disk to be used in other projects or in a network service so that several designers can use them simultaneously.

Softplan previews are the fastest way to view project data. They are based on configurations. In the program, it is possible to select several predefined configurations that have standard data for sections and nodes. Existing previews can be edited, and new ones can be created with arbitrary data. 

All data can be previewed and sorted by filters. Previews can also be used for direct data input such as invert elevations and terrain heights and for renaming. The content of the preview can be copied to the clipboard and pasted into a CAD table or any Microsoft application (Excel, Word).

Previews are also integrated into other functions of Softplan (e.g. for intersection analysis, hydraulic calculations, etc.).

Project data offered by Softplan can be used in all functions of the software:

• labels
• longitudinal sections
• import and export functions
• examinations
• etc.

The data includes, among other things, hydraulic calculation data, geometric data, excavation data, etc.

Users can choose to import and export, create and input their own defined data. This data can be used in the same way as standard data. It is possible to create an unlimited number of such data. It is also possible to create function data that is used to dynamically calculate a certain value according to a given formula.

In addition, there are additional network data. They are associated with a station or a station range. They are thus ideal for describing the damage, inspection results and the condition of pipeline pipes. Queries are a quick and easy way to search and filter items.

Queries are a quick and easy way to search and filter items. It is possible to create the location and data queries and combine them with functions such as data previews, thematic maps, marking, labels, etc.

Queries are configuration-based, which means they can be prepared once and then stored on a disk and used on other projects.

Vector and raster data can be imported from a local disk and placed in the correct geographic location. Softplan enables input of a large number of data and display as needed. Layers can be filtered upon import of vector data.

Softplan enables the import of Google maps and terrain elevation data in the form of points from Google Maps. The points imported in this way can be used to create a DTM for conceptual solutions.

Terraform (Softplan module for creating DTM) and 3D Face are supported types of DTM.

DTM can be created in a number of ways. It can be directly imported from:

• SHP
• database
• text files

And CAD elements can be converted as well:

• texts and blocks
• 3D polylines
• points and lines with elevations

Terraform also offers tools for working with point clouds – viewing, importing and loading using various elevation and location filters. During design, heights can be set from the above-mentioned DTM surfaces or through linear interpolation, by importing from an external source or by direct input.

CAD elements such as lines, and 2D or 3D polylines can be converted to Softplan. It is possible to convert the network itself, but also the data written in CAD texts and block attributes such as terrain heights or pipe diameters.

In this way, pipe network projects drawn with plain CAD elements are converted into intelligent Softplan objects. All standard Softplan commands can then be used on these objects.

Softplan allows the display of the system in plan with different display styles. Nodes can be displayed as geometric shapes or blocks, and sections as lines. Nodes and sections can additionally be shown in 2D view with the actual manhole and pipe dimensions or in 3D.

All invisible and visible parts of manholes and pipes (axis, wall, outer and inner edges, etc.) can be displayed in different:

• types,
• colors,
• hatches,
• line thicknesses

Node blocks can be edited, and user-defined (custom) ones can be used. Different plan styles in a situation can be applied to different systems or parts of a system. In this way, parts of the system can be visually separated according to the type of pipeline (supply, distribution …), construction phase (designed, built…) or type of system (vacuum, pressure, gravity sewage).

Labels are based on configurations. They can be divided into several types:

• labels of branches and arrays,
  
• stations,
  
• angles,
  
• section labels,
  
• cross-stations,
  
• nodes,
  
• etc.

Any change in model or configuration is automatically applied to all labels. They can also be rotated and moved interactively. A tool for automatic label repositioning has also been implemented. In just a few seconds, it automatically moves all labels that collide with topology or another label.

The program offers a selection of standard label configurations that have predefined data. All configurations can be copied and edited. Of course, it is also possible to create your own configuration through the provided templates.

Longitudinal sections can be drawn and edited quickly and flexibly because they are also based on configurations. They can be drawn one by one, multiple longitudinal sections at once, or using any selection of topological elements (from node to node, branch, array…).

The same topological elements can be simultaneously displayed in several longitudinal sections (e.g. drawn with a different configuration – different language, standard, scale, data, etc.). It is also possible to replace the current configuration with another one.

Editing the configuration of the longitudinal section is user-friendly and extremely simple. Each component (tabular or graphic) can be interactively selected in the longitudinal section, and details such as size, line type, texts, colors, data table contents, etc. can be set for it.

Longitudinal sections can be drawn in various scales. The drawn profiles can be automatically prepared for plotting on papers of the desired dimensions.

The software contains many functions necessary for interactive drawing, editing and setting pipe invert, directly in longitudinal sections. 

Pipe invert can be drawn interactively or it can be numerically set by specifying the start or end invert depths/elevations and slopes. It is possible to move or delete an existing one. Invert editing functions allow the straightening of the invert by array or by a slope.

A pipe invert can be set at a constant depth below the ground (for the entire system or for its certain parts).

Softplan contains several standard types of trenches:

• rectangular,
• trapezoidal,
• with or without steps,
• with or without formwork

A catalog of top layers is also available – they can consist of any number of layers of different thicknesses. Trenches and top layers can be added to topological elements using various topological selections, from node to node or from station to station.

It is possible to prepare cross-section configurations for standard trenches. Configurations contain all graphical components such as colors, data, hatches, and dimensions. Cross sections can be drawn on all parts of the network by interactively selecting the station in a plan or in longitudinal sections and automatically at a constant distance or at characteristic points of the network.

It is also possible to define a parametric trench of arbitrary shape that can be used as a multi-pipe trench.

For given trenches, it is possible to calculate the excavation volumes (total or according to depth zones), volumes of bedding and all backfill layers, and formwork area.

It is possible to make a detailed node assembly scheme based on the catalog of assembly elements (appurtenances and fittings). All pieces and schemes are drawn interactively and to scale. The catalog of parametric and block elements can be edited and it is possible to make your own.

In Softplan there is also a function for the automatic drawing of node schematic symbols. A schematic drawing is based on customizable rules and a catalog of symbols. Symbols and schematics are not to scale – they are used to represent the nodes symbolically. All node schemes can be obtained in a few seconds.

Each scheme has a table with the names and quantities of the elements used, in both cases. A list of all elements in the whole project can be obtained in the form of a CAD table or an Excel report.

It is possible to draw house connections with special functions adapted for them. Their characteristic is that they can be connected to a node (manhole) or directly to a section (pipe) without breaking the section into two parts. They can be drawn interactively or by converting CAD elements (lines and polylines), and can consist of one or more sections. Using the drawing functions, it is possible to directly input data on slopes and pipes, terrain heights and invert elevations / depths. House connections can be labeled automatically when drawing.

The software can also analyze intersections with CAD elements (lines, 2D or 3D polylines) that represent different cable or pipe infrastructures such as telecommunication or power cables, gas pipelines, etc.

Data such as:

• the length of the pipeline within the parcel,
• parcel number,
• starting and ending station of the pipeline at the entrance/exit of each parcel,
• and others

can be displayed in data tables or in a longitudinal section table.

It is possible to draw a buffer zone (impact or influence) around the pipeline and perform an overlay analysis between the buffer zone and the parcel system. In this way, all affected parcels and data on these parcels are obtained (percentage of the original parcel and area of the affected part). This information is necessary to determine easement rights and land expropriation.

You can set water demands using the available methods: interactively (pointwise) through a data table, or automatically depending on the population distribution. You can define different types of consumers (population, tourists, point consumers (e.g. industry), firefighting demands, pipeline own demands, water losses, etc.). You can also define consumption parameters and a time pattern for each. All consumers can be grouped into scenarios that can then be used for parallel hydraulic calculation and comparison of results by different scenarios.

Thanks to the optimization, the automatic calculation of optimal pipe diameters is enabled, based on pre-defined water needs and target velocities in the pipes. For different parts of the network, it is possible to set different ranges of pipe diameters and target velocities in order to obtain the best possible results. The same results can be adopted or modified using post-processing tools. The calculation is based on the method of genetic algorithms.

For hydraulic calculations, Softplan Wetplan uses EPANET, the code of which is built into Softplan and therefore it is not necessary to have EPANET installed on the computer. Softplan Wetplan can perform a complete weather simulation over a certain period of time, or an immediate hydraulic calculation for a single weather period. For this purpose, previously defined network elements and pipe diameters, set parameters, and water demands are used. The operation of network elements over time is controlled using rules. All results – velocities, flows, head losses, head elevations and pressures – can be analyzed tabularly (through data reviews) or graphically (through graphs, longitudinal sections and thematic maps).

The network created using Wetplan can be exported to an EPANET INP file – the world standard for communication between different software for hydraulic calculations and modeling. The complete geometry and all input data for the calculation can be transferred to EPANET (or other software that supports the INP file), and communication is also possible in the opposite direction. A network created using some other software can be imported into Softplan via the import function from an INP file. You can also import only the results of the hydraulic calculation.

Softplan supports standard BIM formats:

• LandXML,
• IFC,
• Navisworks NWC files

The LandXML format supports two-way communication (import and export) of pipe systems, terrain, and parcel systems along with all data. For IFC and Navisworks NWC formats, one-way communication (export) of pipe systems and terrain along with all data is supported.