Defining Branches
The network can be divided into long sections by setting the Branch ID field of link objects.
The Branch ID is a numeric field used to identify to which long section the link is associated. Branch IDs can be set manually in the Links Grid, or automatically by using the Define Branches dialog.
To define branches automatically:
- Create a selection of links (optional). If defining branches by selection, Branch IDs will be generated for all links in branches that include any of the selected links.
- Select Define branchesfrom the Network menu. This displays the Data Source dialog.
- In this dialog, select the Data Source Type for which Branch IDs are to be generated. If the Data Source Type is Zone or Zone Category, select the Data Source from the dropdown list of zones or zone categories.
- Click OK. The Define Branches dialog is displayed.
- Set the options:
- Number from which new branches are to start at. If there are existing Branch IDs higher than the starting number, new branches will be numbered from the highest existing Branch ID.
- Optional flag for Branch ID field of links that are updated.
- Optional check box to delete existing Branch IDs with the flag selected above. Deletion of existing Branch IDs will be carried out before the new branch definition process starts.
- Click Change to display the Long Section Pick Dialog and set the criteria for selecting links for inclusion in a long section.
- Click Start to start the define branches process.
The define branches operation picks links in the network to start each long section from the set of selected links in the following order:
- Links with Branch IDs already set. (The existing Branch ID will be assigned to any links added to the branch.)
- End links
- Pipes
- Controls
Within each category, the link with the lowest invert level will take priority.
