Many times it is desirable to zoom into a network system and analyze just a small portion of the entire model rather than the entire model. For example, perhaps a section of the existing network is scheduled for rehabilitation, and only this portion of the network needs to be modeled. To assist with these tasks, WaterNET allows the user to quickly telescope in and model only a subset of the entire network. For example, WaterNET can quickly extract out a selected subset of the water distribution network, allowing the user to analyze only the extracted sub-model. In addition, WaterNET allows any terminating junction nodes, where the sub-model ties into the original network model, to mimic the behavior of the rest of the deleted network system. The network behavior response of flow versus pressure versus time is defined at these terminating nodes from field measurements and observations. This allows the sub-model to experience the effect of the complete network, without carrying the computational overhead of modeling the complete network system.

Sophisticated Data Management

WaterNET uses the Microsoft Access database engine for storing and manipulating network data. This provides unlimited flexibility for defining and modifying the network data. For example, you can perform QBE (query by example) and/or SQL (structured query language) queries to select those pipes having a specific diameter, age, roughness, etc., and then make global changes to this selected data. Database query results can be displayed graphically (by highlighting the selected elements in the horizontal plan view), in tabular format, printed, or exported to Microsoft Excel or Word. This same query facility can be used for visualization of computational results such as pipe flows, pressures, water quality constituent concentrations, etc.