Faster and More Intuitive Bridge Modelling

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One of the standout features in Flood Modeller 7.3 is the introduction of a new, fully integrated bridge unit. But what exactly are “integrated bridge units,” and what do they mean for modelling?

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To appreciate the value of this new unit, it's essential to understand the role of bridges and their impact on flood risk. Bridges are intricate structures composed of multiple components, including decks, openings, and relief culverts. These elements must be precisely configured to ensure accurate representation of flood flows. Traditionally, setting up and verifying these components has been a complex and time-consuming task.

The integrated bridge unit revolutionises this process by unifying all hydraulic components into a single unit. This innovation streamlines the setup in Flood Modeller, reducing the number of clicks and units required, and enhancing overall integration. This means faster, more intuitive bridge modelling, allowing users to focus on what truly matters—creating effective flood management solutions.

The Need for New Structures

Modelling the effects of bridges in watercourses, whether designing a new bridge or assessing the flood risk of an existing one, has never been more crucial. This includes understanding possible flow routes both under and over the bridge.

Current bridge modelling involves a certain level of uncertainty due to the numerous schematisations and coefficients required. The new bridge unit addresses this challenge directly, enabling seamless transitions between different configurations while also enhancing model management and visualisation.

The new bridge unit integrates overtop spill, flood relief culverts, and blockage management into a single unit.

Your One-Stop Shop

The new bridge unit serves as your comprehensive solution for bridge modelling. It integrates overtop spill, flood relief culverts, and blockage management into a single unit. Additionally, you can effortlessly switch between different formulations (e.g., from arch to USBPR) with just a single click.

Adjusting parameters such as blockage scenarios, spill elevations/coefficients, flood relief culverts, and even bridge afflux formulas can now be done within the same hydraulic unit. This eliminates the need to schematise multiple units in parallel to represent road overtopping, streamlining the entire process.

A Future-Proofed Solution

The new design is built to accommodate future advancements in hydraulic calculations, data integrations, and automation tools, including the Flood Modeller API. Future versions of Flood Modeller will expand this approach to other structure types, making modelling more straightforward and boosting efficiency. This ensures that the software remains at the cutting edge, ready to meet evolving needs and challenges in flood management.