Date
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Time
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Location Name
KICC M108 (Level 1)
Name
Innovative Methods for Modeling Assets in Wastewater
Track
Asset Management
Description

The field of wastewater management is continually evolving, with new technologies and methodologies emerging to enhance system efficiency and accuracy. This presentation aims to shed light on innovative approaches in wastewater asset modeling, highlighting the integration and application of advanced tools and techniques. A pivotal component of this presentation is the novel use of AI-enhanced tools to streamline data processing for modeling wastewater collection systems. A specially designed application created by B&N, assisted by AI Large Language Learning Models like ChatGPT, plays a critical role in this process. This application is adept at analyzing input data to determine dry weather flow diurnal and hourly patterns, along with baseflows for each meter basin. The use of the AI LLM allowed an engineer who was very familiar with the methodologies needed to reach the end goal but had little coding experience to easily create an application that substantially reduces manual effort, filters out data inconsistencies, and aids in generating more accurate modeling outputs in an efficient manner that can now be easily replicated for future projects. Simultaneously, this presentation will delve into the comprehensive capabilities of Infoworks ICM, a complex hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software. Infoworks ICM stands out for its ability to manage, sort, and flag specific points of vast datasets with precision and speed, largely attributable to its sophisticated use of SQL coding. Additionally, the presentation will demonstrate the ease with which Infoworks ICM can be used to calibrate collection systems. Another transformative aspect of the Infoworks ICM software that will be discussed is its use of cloud computing for wastewater modeling. The ability to run multiple simulations concurrently on cloud platforms dramatically improves the efficiency of the modeling process and reduces the need for in house computing power. This capability allows for rapid comparisons and analyses across different scenarios, aiding in faster decision-making. The potential of custom applications in enhancing wet weather model calibration will also be explored. The focus here is on creating tools that can analyze storm data and contributing areas to extract essential hydrograph parameters, something not commonly accessible in the industry. In addition to the hydraulic modeling techniques, the adoptions of LiDAR will be highlighted. Providing high-resolution 3D imaging, LiDAR facilitates precise mapping and inspection of wastewater systems, for infrastructure as small as a single manhole, to entire treatment facilities. This technology is instrumental in accurately modeling assessing the current state of infrastructure in a simple and efficient manner, aiding in effective maintenance planning and future developments. Finally, this presentation will also discuss plans to incorporate BIM technology in future deliverables to clients, bringing a multi-dimensional approach to infrastructure design and management. BIM brings a comprehensive and detailed approach to modeling wastewater infrastructure, allowing for enhanced visualization and better management of assets throughout their lifecycle. This model aids in accurate planning and execution, ensuring streamlined project workflows.