Water Distribution System Modeling
Mandeville, Louisiana
FTN was retained by the City of Mandeville, Louisiana's consulting engineer to perform hydraulic modeling of the City's water distribution system and evaluate potential system improvements. An existing hydraulic model of the system had been developed in 1994 using KYPIPE. FTN was to update the model, including converting it to a graphically based system. The model included over 800 pipes, five wells (each with multiple pumps and some with variable speed drives), and two elevated tanks. The system also operated on multiple hydraulic gradients.FTN initially reviewed the existing input data and system maps used to develop the 1994 KYPIPE model. Following the review, the existing model was converted in Haestad Method's Cybernet model (currently known as WaterCad). Existing AutoCad maps of the Mandeville water system served as the basis for the new graphically based model. Following the conversion and verification of the geometry against the existing model, the existing distribution system was modeled for comparison against the original model. The updated model was "calibrated" to produce essentially the same output as the 1994 model. Water system changes made between 1994 and 1998 were then incorporated into the new model. The client gathered additional system operating data and the updated model was recalibrated to current condi-tions. Using the updated model, FTN evaluated the impact of adding a new elevated storage tank and additional pipelines to the system under various operating scenarios. In addition to ordinary operating conditions, FTN performed a fire flow analysis to determine what impact proposed system changes would have on fire flow availability throughout the city and on specific limitations that could be expected if certain wells were out of operation. In addition to the modeling aspect of the project, FTN performed a regulatory evaluation (state and federal) to provide the City with both a summary of current requirements as well as a specific summary of pending regulations and legislation that could impact the City in the future.
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