Validating the Network

The network and associated items have to be validated before any simulation is run.

Note

This stage assumes that you have started InfoWorks ICM and that Master database, containing the ICM Basic Tutorial, is opened in the Explorer window, showing the 'Langley Catchment Study' model group.

Validation in InfoWorks ICM

To validate a network:

  1. Right-click the 'Langley Network (TUT)' in the Explorer window and select Open from the pop-up context menu.
  2. Click the button on the Validation toolbar or choose the Validate network option from the Network menu.

    3. The Network Validation dialog is displayed.

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  3. Click OK.

    The results of the validation are displayed in the Output window (located at the bottom of the main window). Both errors and warnings are displayed in this window.

Warning

Errors must be corrected before any simulation can be run.

Investigating Messages in the Output Window

Let us look at an example of how to investigate the messages displayed in the Output window.

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Several options are available for investigating the messages:

Click once the error or warning to highlight the corresponding network object on the GeoPlan.

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Double-click the error or warning you wish to investigate in more detail. The appropriate grid view is displayed, with the cursor on the relevant field.

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Right-click an error or warning and select Go to Grid View or Go to Property Page from the pop-up menu to display the appropriate grid view or property sheet field.

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With a Grid View open, select Next error (F4) or Previous error (SHIFT-F4) from the Network menu to move between the errors and warnings in the grid views.

Alternatively, select another error or warning by double-clicking another item in the Output window.

Practical Example of Validation

We are now going to illustrate network validation using our example network.

  1. Right-click the 'Langley Validation' and select Open.

    The network is now displayed in the GeoPlan.

  2. Select the Validate Network option from the Network menu. The Network Validation dialog is displayed.
  3. Click OK to validate the network. You can also choose to perform an Engineering Validation, which applies a more comprehensive series of validation rules.

    The network is validated and the Output window is displayed, containing two information and two warning messages.

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    ClosedIf necessary, you can change the column widths by dragging the column dividers to right or left.

  4. Correct the Warning messages. The warnings indicate that the soffit level for two connected conduits would be above the ground level of the shared node.
    1. Click Code W2054 and the object causing the error will be highlighted in red on the GeoPlan.

      2. You can then right-click the GeoPlan and select Zoom to selection.

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      Alternatively, if you double-click an error code, the appropriate grid view is displayed, with the object causing the error highlighted.

    2. Select the (Properties tool).
    3. Click the conduit (45631201.1).

      The US invert level is shown as 3.93 m AD. The conduit Width is shown as 450 mm. This gives a soffit level of 4.38 m AD.

    4. Select the upstream node (45631201). The Ground level is shown as 4.3 m AD (which is below the soffit level).
    5. Change the level to 4.5 m AD by clicking the Ground level field and entering the new value.

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    6. Use the Network | Validate Network option to revalidate the network. This time only the information messages should be shown. If any error message is still generated at this stage, the Validation Messages topic contains advice on how to solve the related issue(s).
    7. Close the Output window by clicking the button in the top left of the window.
  5. The changes are now complete so they must now be committed:
    1. Right-click the InfoWorks network and select Commit changes to the master database. The Commit Changes dialog is then displayed.

      Alternatively, you can use the Engineering Validation option as it performs additional checks on network data to ensure that it is consistent with expected engineering values.

    2. Enter a comment, such as 'Soffit level below ground level for conduit 45631201.1 so changed node 45631201 ground on level from 4 to 4.5'.
    3. Click OK.

      The network is now committed.

  6. Close the GeoPlan view by clicking the button in the top right-hand corner of the window.

 

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Validating Networks

Engineering Validation

Output Window

Committing Your Changes