Running an Automatic Calibration Simulation

Step-by-step guide

A model with a poor observed vs simulated verdict may need an adjustment in the pipe friction factors throughout the network. These can be automatically determined and adjusted using the automatic calibration routine.

1. From the Model Group, right-click Run Group.
2. Select New > Run from the flyout.

3. The Schedule Hydraulic Run dialog box opens.
4. Type “Calibration” in the Title field.
5. Enable Experimental.
6. Then, from the Model Group, drag and drop the Calibration network into the Network panel in the Schedule Hydraulic Run dialog box.

Note: The Control and Demand Diagram panels populate as well.

7. In the Run Type group box, expand the drop-down and select Calibration.

In the Calibration Options dialog box:

8. Set the Minimum Friction factor to 0.001.
9. Set the Maximum Friction factor to 5.
10. Set Initial Scaling Factor to 0.5.
11. Set the snapshot time to 2 May 2022 at 06:00.
12. From the Model Group, drag and drop the Live Data Configuration into the Live Data Configuration panel.

Note: If this dialog box is closed, to reopen it, in the Run Type group box, click Options.

13. Click OK.

14. In the Run Parameters group box, set the Computational Accuracy to 2 l/s.
15. Click Save.
16. Click Run.

Note: Once the run is complete, the pipe friction factors can be updated. It is best practice to update the friction factors in a scenario first, before altering a base model.

To update the friction factors in a scenario:

17. In the Scenarios toolbar, click Create scenario,
    OR Expand the Scenarios menu and select Create scenario.
18. In the Create New Scenario dialog box, in the New Scenario Name field, type “Calibration”.
19. Enable the option Create matching scenario in the Control.
20. Click OK.

Note: The Calibration scenario now appears in the drop-down in the toolbar:

21. Select the Calibration Scenario.
22. Expand the Network menu.
23. Select Update from calibration > From simulation.
24. In the Open Sim dialog box, select the Calibration simulation.
25. Click OK.

The friction factors of the pipes in the calibration scenario have been adjusted.

26. Commit all the changes to the database.
27. Click OK.

Create a new Run:

28. Right-click Run Group.
29. Select New > Run.
30. In the Schedule Hydraulic Run dialog box, in the Title field, type “Calibration Update”.
31. Check the box next to Experimental.
32. From the Model Group window, drag and drop the Calibration network into the Network panel.

Note: The Control and Demand Diagram boxes populate as well.

33. In the Scenarios tab, deselect the Base scenario.
34. Enable the Calibration scenario.
35. Click Save.
36. Click Run.

To produce the observed vs simulated grid for the updated simulation:

37. Expand the Results menu.
38. Select Grid reports > Observed vs predicted.

The Grid Report (Observed vs Predicted) dialog box opens.

39. From the Model Group, drag the Calibration Update simulation and drop it into the Sim panel.
40. Drag and drop the Live Data Configuration into the Live Data Configuration panel.
41. Under the Options, select Pressure.
42. Click Produce Grid.

The Grid Report opens, displaying the observed versus predicted data:

43. Determine whether the verdict has improved following the calibration.

If it has, reintegrate the Calibration scenario into the base model:

44. With the Calibration Network and Calibration Control open in the workspace and set to the Calibration scenario, in the toolbar, click Manage scenarios.

A notification appears, asking you what type of scenario you want to manage.

45. Click Network to open the Manage Network Scenarios dialog box.

Note: the Calibration scenario is highlighted at the bottom of the list. To make this scenario the new baseline scenario,

46. Click Reintegrate.
47. In the notification that appears asking if you want to reintegrate this scenario, click Yes.
48. Commit the changes to the database.