Overview
This lecture covers the new features and improvements in river and overland flow modeling introduced in Infoworks ICM 2021.1, focusing on meshing enhancements, sub-catchment drainage options, cross-section editing, and visualization tools.
Clip Meshing Improvements
- Clip meshing is the new default meshing procedure for 2D zones in Infoworks ICM 2021.1.
- Clip meshing generates meshes significantly faster and respects complex boundaries better than classic meshing.
- Older models retain classic meshing to ensure consistent results across versions.
- Aggregation of triangles occurs around complex geometry with clip meshing, improving mesh quality.
Sub-Catchment to 2D Point Source Draining
- Sub-catchments can now drain directly to 2D point sources instead of being routed through 1D systems.
- This is useful for modeling runoff from buildings to surfaces without a 1D sewer representation.
- Runoff is accurately represented as surface flow in 2D.
Cross-Section Extension Features
- Cross-section lines can be extended beyond their original endpoints to the left or right by specified distances.
- Extensions can populate new points from the ground model at defined intervals.
- Cross-sections may be extended to reach selected bank lines or beyond, disregarding the need for a bank.
Line Straightening Enhancements
- New option to straighten any line object, not just cross-section lines.
- Lines intersecting links can be straightened perpendicularly to those links.
- Straightening improves geometric clarity, reverting to original shapes if needed.
Flood Theme Minimum Depth Display
- Flood themes now allow exclusion of water depths below a set minimum (e.g., 0.15 m) to reduce visual clutter.
- This change enhances the clarity of flood maps by hiding insignificant depths.
3D View Visualization Options
- 3D view improvements include smooth profile edges and new rendering options for 2D zones.
- Users can select between original, smooth, translucent water, and graded water transition displays.
- Visualization choices now include element-by-element or smoothed transitions and control over water translucency.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Clip Meshing — A meshing method that quickly generates 2D meshes, respecting boundaries and complex shapes.
- Sub-catchment — An area that contributes surface runoff to the drainage system.
- 2D Point Source — A single-point representation for introducing flow into a 2D surface model.
- Cross-section — A profile line showing the shape and features of a river channel or floodplain.
- Flood Theme — Visualization style for displaying flood extents and depths in the model.
- Translucent Water — A visualization setting making water semi-transparent for better spatial awareness.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Explore the new clip meshing and 2D point source features in your own Infoworks ICM models.
- Experiment with cross-section extensions, line straightening, and advanced 3D view settings.
- Set appropriate minimum depth values when displaying flood themes to improve your flood map clarity.