StudioARS Ships Urbano v9.0 for Water Distribution

studioars_logoMATULJI, Croatia, Aug 12, 2015 – StudioARS, a major European provider of infrastructure design and analysis software released the new Urbano 9.0 version for the international market.

The main focus of the 18-month development process was increasing user productivity across the board. The unique blend of new design, calculation and analysis tools will strengthen BIM workflows, decrease design time and create new perspectives and solutions.

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3D Layout view of four pipe networks in Urbano Canalis 9.0

In particular, Urbano 9.0 provides:

  • Automatic pipe diameter optimization
  • Automatic pipe invert calculation
  • Design with manholes from precast concrete elements
  • New tools for layout styles
  • User experience improvements
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Pipe diameter optimization calculation in Urbano Hydra 9.0

Automatic pipe diameter optimization (pressurized systems)

For water distribution networks, calculating and determining optimum pipe diameters is no straightforward task. Depending on network size and type, it can become increasingly complex and time consuming. The automatic optimization procedure determines individual pipe diameters by using a genetic algorithm. It is very efficient in quickly setting pipe diameters for large networks of both branch and loop types. All input values, calculation settings and target results can be set and controlled, allowing the quick creation of alternative optimization scenarios. The resulting pipe diameters can be inspected, and if necessary, changed with editing and post-processing tools.

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Urbano Polygon 9.0: Pipe & parcel intersection and buffer analysis

Automatic pipe invert calculation (pressurized systems)

The default initial solution for setting the pipe invert in water distribution networks is to set it on a fixed depth parallel to the terrain. Although quick and simple, such a solution can lead to the introduction of a large number of air and mud release valves. Previous program versions already included several tools for editing the pipe invert. Version 9.0 introduces a completely new function for the calculation and automatic setting of the pipe invert according to several conditions, like minimum and maximum depth and minimum slope. The calculation will straighten the invert and minimize the amount of mud and air release valves. It can even add additional nodes to improve the relation between the pipe invert and the terrain. Like for gravitational pipes, subsequent manual editing is still an option.

Design with manholes from precast concrete elements (gravitational systems)

A new design tool for gravitational pipes allows the use of manholes made from round and rectangular precast concrete elements. The basic element catalog includes 10 element types according to EN 1917-2005 and DIN V 4034-1. It can easily be extended with manufacturer products or user-defined elements. Configuring a manhole requires the pipe invert, manhole depth and terrain height. Elements are added one by one with full visual and numeric control. Once assembled, it can be used as a template for future manhole designs. Manholes form precast elements are distinctively displayed in long sections and schematics while special reports list manhole properties and used elements.

New tools for layout styles

There are several new style options to display pipes and manholes in the network layout: symbolic, 2D and 3D. Sprecial 2D settings include drawing the pipes to the outer edge of the manhole and representing manholes as blocks, geometric shapes or in actual dimensions. The 3D style creates 3D Solids and can be detailed or simple. Style options and settings like color, linetype and hatch pattern can be stored in user configurations and exchanged with the .dwg file. Different network parts can use different styles and layout editing can be performed regardless of style.

User experience improvements

Urbano 9.0 includes many user interface and workflow enhancements. The biggest change are the new ribbon and toolbar that enable faster execution of common Urbano commands. Alternatively, the commands can now be started also directly from the AutoCAD command line. Additional user experience upgrades come from the improved Undo function that includes command backtracking through a history list, and the new responsive data tables.

Being the first major release in three years, Urbano 9.0 includes many new tools and feature enhancements. For more information reagrding the current release visit www.studioars.com.

About Urbano software

Urbano is a BIM ready infrastructure pipe network design, calculation and analysis software based on AutoCAD. Engineering professionals designing sewage, stormwater, water, gas distribution systems and other pipe networks can use an array of customizable functions to speed-up the design process and optimize their workflow.  Urbano software is developed by StudioARS since 1991 and distributed by an international network of certified partners.

Urbano is available for AutoCAD/Map 3D/Civil 3D 2010 – 2016, 32 and 64 bit.

 

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