Wallingford Software To Launch InfoWorks 2D Surface Flood Modeling Software

Wallingford, UK — Wallingford Software, the leading developer of hydraulic modeling software for the water industry, has announced the forthcoming release of InfoWorks 2D for fast, accurate and detailed simulation of surface flood modeling. InfoWorks 2D will be available as a fully-integrated module within InfoWorks CS for collection system modeling, InfoWorks SD for storm drainage modeling, and with InfoWorks RS and FloodWorks for river floodplain modeling.

"Understanding and mitigating flooding is becoming a critical issue around the globe", explains Sales and Marketing Director Paul Banfield. "Analysis and prediction of potential flood extent, depth and velocity is a complex problem, particularly in urban areas where drainage networks can reduce flooding in some areas, while increasing it in others.

"One-dimensional (1D) simulation can provide extremely good information about floodplain flows and depths, and is a fast and efficient method for determining maximum extents of flooding but has to rely on assumptions about direction of flow. It is also limited when detailed information about overland flow velocities is required, particularly when flow paths are heavily influenced by the obstructions caused by urban infrastructure and buildings.

"Two-dimensional (2D) simulation is better suited to modeling flows through complex geometries such as urban streets and buildings, road intersections and other transport infrastructure, and open ground where either source or direction of flow is problematic to assume. In urban areas the situation is exacerbated further by the presence of sewer networks, in which flows can both enter and exit the system during flood events. Modeling such complex flow scenarios both accurately and efficiently requires a model with both 1D and 2D engines."

Wallingford Software's flood modeling solution combines both one-dimensional and two-dimensional simulation within InfoWorks. InfoWorks 2D provides all the functionality necessary to completely model the interaction of surface and underground systems, including tools usually associated with GIS packages such as the creation of 2D meshes and fully animated flood maps. The integrated 1D and 2D models benefit from the standard InfoWorks functionality including data import, validation, version control, audit trail and display of results. By using 1D simulation to identify where flooding happens, and then using the combined 1D and 2D simulation to investigate the direction and depth of flood flows in these smaller areas, users can achieve a cost-effective balance between model-building time and simulation accuracy.

"Some existing solutions assume that a 2D model of the whole study area has to be built", says Paul Banfield. "With InfoWorks 2D, smaller detailed 2D models can be created within a single 1D model dramatically reducing the model size - minimizing the time spent building and simulating these models."

With InfoWorks 2D, modelers have the ability to undertake flood studies in one package, improving their productivity and increasing quality control at a very reasonable cost. Early adopters of the solution will be able to establish themselves as experts within this fast-growing market arena. InfoWorks 2D will be available with InfoWorks CS v8.5, InfoWorks SD v8.5 and InfoWorks RS v9.0.

Wallingford Software's Director of Product Management, David Fortune, said: "This new solution marks a profound change and radical improvement to the way that flood modeling is approached. With the new 2D capability tightly integrated within the market-leading InfoWorks products, modelers will be able to achieve highly-detailed and accurate simulations of flood events, particularly in areas such as urban landscapes that have previously been challenging to model."

SOURCE: Wallingford Software