As Flood Modeller 7.3 draws ever closer and excitement starts to build, our attention turns to the dynamic new features that will be delivered early in 2025.
One of these brand-new features is the introduction of a new, fully integrated bridge unit. But what exactly are “integrated bridge units”, and what do they mean for modelling?
To understand the added value of the new unit, we must first understand what bridges are and how they are utilised. Bridges are complex structures that can significantly impact flood risk. They comprise multiple components, including decks, openings and relief culverts, all of which must be appropriately configured to ensure optimal representation of flood flows. However, the process of setting up bridges and checking they are correctly configured can often be challenging and time-consuming.
The integrated bridge unifies all hydraulic components into a single unit, streamlining structure setup in Flood Modeller with fewer clicks, fewer units and better integration.
The Need For New Structures
The need to model the effects of bridges in watercourses, whether it’s the design of a new bridge or to quantify the flood risk impacted by an existing one, including possible flow routes under and over, could scarcely be more appropriate today.
Current bridge modelling carries a certain level of uncertainty due to the numerous schematisations and coefficients involved. The new bridge unit will tackle this issue head-on, enabling seamless transitions between different configurations while also improving model management and visualisation.
Whilst current bridge modelling involves numerous schematisations and coefficients, the new bridge unit will tackle this issue head-on, enabling seamless transitions between different configurations while also improving model management and visualisation.
Your One-Stop-Shop
The new bridge unit, coming in Flood Modeller 7.3, is your single, one-stop shop for bridge modelling, with integrated overtop spill, flood relief culverts, and blockage management. Additionally, you can effortlessly switch between different formulations (e.g. from arch to USBPR) with just a single click.
Applying tweaks to parameters, such as blockage scenarios, spill elevations/coefficients, flood relief culverts, and even bridge afflux formula, can now be performed within the same hydraulic unit rather than schematising multiple units in parallel with a bridge to represent the road overtopping.
A Future-Proofed Solution
The new design has been future-proofed to facilitate future enhancements to hydraulic calculations, data integrations and automation tools (including the Flood Modeller API). Future versions of Flood Modeller will continue this journey with other structure types, making modelling easier and increasing efficiencies.
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