WaterGEMS: Hydraulics Modeling Training
$5500.00
WaterGEMS: Hydraulics Modeling Training - 5-Day Professional Course
Course Overview
This WaterGEMS hydraulic modeling training provides comprehensive expertise in water distribution system analysis using Bentley’s industry-leading software. WaterGEMS combines powerful hydraulic and water quality modeling with intuitive interfaces, GIS integration, and advanced optimization tools, making it the preferred choice for over 10,000 utilities worldwide. This hands-on course enables participants to design efficient networks, optimize operations, and solve complex distribution challenges delivering 20-40% operational cost savings.
Target Audience
Water distribution system engineers
Utility planning and design professionals
Network operations managers
Consulting engineers and modelers
Asset management specialists
Municipal water department staff
GIS analysts in water sector
Engineering graduates
Day 1: WaterGEMS Fundamentals and Interface Navigation
Morning Session: Introduction to WaterGEMS Platform
Why Choose WaterGEMS?
WaterGEMS offers distinct advantages: seamless CAD and GIS integration (AutoCAD, MicroStation, ArcGIS), advanced optimization algorithms, scenario management tools, automated design capabilities, and professional support. Investment costs ($3,000-8,000 per license) deliver ROI through 40-60% faster modeling versus open-source alternatives.
Software editions:
WaterGEMS V8i/CONNECT - Standalone with full capabilities
WaterCAD - CAD-embedded for design engineers
WaterGEMS for ArcGIS - GIS-integrated spatial analysis
Key capabilities include steady-state and extended period simulation (EPS), water quality modeling, fire flow analysis, energy cost analysis, criticality assessment, and genetic algorithm optimization.
Afternoon Session: Building Your First Model
Interface and Basic Workflow
ModelBuilder components - Ribbon menus, drawing toolbar, property editors, FlexTables (tabular data), scenario management, and calculation options.
Element library - Junctions (demand nodes), pipes (conveyance), pumps (energy input), tanks (storage), reservoirs (fixed-head boundaries), valves (control), and hydrants (fire flow).
Five-step workflow:
Project setup - Units, calculation engine, coordinate system
Network layout - Drawing or importing from CAD/GIS
Element properties - Elevations, demands, diameters, materials (C-factors: PVC=150, ductile iron=130, aged iron=80-100)
Boundary conditions - Reservoirs or tanks with curves
Calculation and results - Color-coded pressure/velocity visualization
Hands-On Exercise:
Building 10-node network with reservoir, pipes, junctions, and tank. Running simulation, interpreting results, modifying parameters, and observing impacts.
Day 2: Advanced Component Modeling and Demand Analysis
Morning Session: Pump and Tank Modeling
Pump System Design
Pump curves - Importing manufacturer data, defining parallel (additive flow) or series (additive head) configurations, and variable speed drive (VSD) modeling.
Pump controls - Simple (“Start Pump1 if Tank1 below 3m”), time-based schedules (off-peak rates), and conditional logic optimizing operations. Studies show 30-50% energy savings through optimal scheduling.
Energy cost analysis - Time-of-use tariffs, demand charges, kWh calculations comparing operational scenarios.
Tank modeling:
Physical geometry (cylindrical, rectangular, custom curves)
Operational levels (invert, minimum, maximum, initial)
Mixing models (complete mixing, two-compartment FIFO/LIFO, plug flow)
Afternoon Session: Demand Allocation and Patterns
Representing Water Consumption
Calculation methods:
Per capita - Population × 150-400 L/capita/day
Unit load - Fixtures, employees, or floor area × standard rates
Meter-based - Distributing actual consumption spatially
Loading estimator tools - Automated allocation from cadastral data, land use, or customer databases.
Diurnal patterns - Hourly multipliers: residential peaks morning/evening (1.5-2.0× average), commercial mid-day (1.3-1.6×), industrial constant (0.9-1.1×). Critical for EPS and storage sizing.
Spatial patterns - Geographic multipliers for seasonal variations (summer irrigation +30-80%) or growth projections.
Workshop:
Allocating demands using multiple methods, creating custom patterns from consumption data, and evaluating sensitivity.
Day 3: Extended Period Simulation and Water Quality
Morning Session: Dynamic Hydraulic Analysis
Extended Period Simulation (EPS)
EPS captures operational dynamics: tank cycles, pump sequences, pressure variations, and valve operations over hours/days.
Configuration - Duration (24-168 hours), time steps (hydraulic 1 hour, quality 5-15 minutes), reporting intervals.
Control strategies:
Simple: “Close Valve5 if pressure above 65 psi”
Composite: “If Tank1 below 4m AND time 11 PM-6 AM then Start Pump2”
Achieving 25-40% operational savings through optimized scheduling.
Results analysis:
Time-series graphs (tank levels, pump status, pressures)
Animation (color-coded network dynamics)
Statistical summaries (min/max/average values)
Afternoon Session: Water Quality Modeling
Constituent Transport and Reactions
Water age analysis - Tracking residence time. Excessive age (>5 days) risks disinfectant decay, nitrification, biofilm growth, and taste/odor issues.
Management strategies - Eliminating dead-ends, optimizing tanks, flushing programs, and right-sizing infrastructure.
Chlorine decay:
Bulk decay - kb = 0.3-1.5 per day in water column
Wall decay - kw varies by material: iron (1.0-2.0 m/day), cement (0.2-0.5), PVC (0.0-0.1)
Regulatory compliance - Maintaining minimum 0.2 mg/L residual. Models identify zones requiring booster chlorination or infrastructure rehabilitation.
Source tracing - Determining contribution percentages from multiple sources informing supply allocation.
Exercise:
72-hour EPS with pump scheduling, chlorine decay simulation, compliance assessment, and operational recommendations.
Day 4: Model Calibration and Fire Flow Analysis
Morning Session: Calibration Methodology
Achieving Predictive Accuracy
Field data requirements:
SCADA data (tank levels, pump operations, flows)
Pressure monitoring (15-minute intervals, 7-14 days)
Hydrant flow tests (pressure-flow relationships)
Calibration workflow:
Mass balance - System input vs. consumption ±5%
Demand validation - Matching tank levels and pressure variations
Roughness adjustment - C-values ±10-20 matching field pressures ±3 psi, flows ±10%
Darwin Calibrator - Automated genetic algorithm optimization reducing manual calibration time 60-80%.
Skeletonization - Balancing detail versus computational efficiency maintaining accuracy.
Afternoon Session: Fire Flow and Capacity Analysis
Emergency Demand Assessment
Fire flow requirements:
Residential: 500-1,500 gpm (30-95 L/s)
Commercial: 1,500-3,500 gpm (95-220 L/s)
Industrial: up to 12,000 gpm (750 L/s)
Duration: 2-4 hours at minimum 20 psi residual
WaterGEMS fire flow calculator - Automated testing with color-coded results (green/yellow/red) identifying capacity constraints.
Scenario comparison - Existing versus proposed improvements (pipe upsizing, parallel mains, pump upgrades, storage additions).
System reliability - Analyzing pipe failures, pump outages, and multiple demand scenarios identifying vulnerable zones.
Workshop:
Calibrating model with field data, conducting fire flow analysis, identifying deficiencies, designing improvements, and preparing compliance report.
Day 5: Design Optimization and Advanced Applications
Morning Session: Automated Design and Optimization
Darwin Designer and Genetic Algorithms
Design problem formulation:
Decision variables: pipe diameters, pump selections, tank sizes
Objective function: minimize capital, operational, or life-cycle costs
Constraints: pressures (20-80 psi), velocities (0.3-2.5 m/s), fire flows
Optimization workflow:
Define alternatives (available pipe sizes, pump models, tank capacities)
Cost data (unit costs by component)
Design criteria (performance constraints)
Genetic algorithm execution (evaluates 5,000-50,000 alternatives)
Results show 15-30% cost reduction versus conventional design.
Multi-objective optimization - Balancing cost versus reliability using Pareto frontier analysis.
Afternoon Session: Advanced Features and Reporting
Professional Analysis Tools
Pressure zone analysis - Identifying optimal boundaries, PRV placements, and inter-zone transfers reducing leakage through pressure management.
Energy management - Wire-to-water efficiency, specific energy (kWh/m³), VSD implementation, and scheduling optimization.
Criticality analysis - Segment importance using network connectivity, demand served, and consequence assessment prioritizing investments.
Transient analysis (Hammer) - Water hammer modeling designing surge protection (air valves, surge tanks, relief valves).
GIS integration:
Importing shapefiles, geodatabases, CAD drawings
Scenario Manager for multiple alternatives
LoadBuilder and TechDB component libraries
Professional reporting:
Automated documentation (summaries, maps, graphs, tables)
Profile plots (hydraulic grade lines)
Contour mapping (pressure, velocity, quality)
Capstone Project:
Comprehensive design challenge: expanding network for 500 new connections, demand allocation, model calibration, fire flow analysis, Darwin Designer optimization, water quality assessment, and professional engineering report demonstrating mastery.
Course Outcomes
Graduates will master:
WaterGEMS interface and workflow
Component modeling and configuration
Demand allocation and patterns
Extended period simulation and controls
Water quality modeling
Model calibration techniques
Fire flow and capacity analysis
Design optimization using genetic algorithms
Professional reporting and documentation
Certification
Participants receive SciTcc WaterGEMS Hydraulic Modeling Professional certificate demonstrating proficiency in advanced water distribution system modeling, design optimization, and engineering analysis.
Keywords: WaterGEMS training, hydraulic modeling course, water network design, Bentley WaterGEMS, distribution system modeling, WaterCAD training, pump optimization, fire flow analysis, model calibration, Darwin Designer, network optimization, water quality modeling, EPS simulation, hydraulic analysis certification
