Connecting inlets and outlets

Video quiz

When designing a pond, which of the following dictates the amount of discharge from the pond?

(Select one)
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Step-by-step:

Once a pond design has been incorporated into a drainage system model, it must be properly connected to the model. This includes designing an inlet that connects it to upstream pipes and an outlet that connects it to the discharge control point downstream.

  1. In the Tree View, right click CAD Data and choose Import Data.
  2. In the Load CAD Wizard, click Select.
  3. In the Open dialog box, browse to the CAD file that contains the pond, such as Pond Pipe.dxf and open it.
  4. In the Load CAD Wizard, click Finish to import the CAD data into the model.
  5. On the ribbon, Plan tab, Modes panel, enable the Snap tool.

First, create the inlet connection.

  1. In the Toolbox, expand the Connections node and select Pipe.
    The entire InfoDrainage interface, with the pond centered in the Plan View and, in the Toolbox, the Pipe tool called out for selection.
  2. Click and drag the pipe connection to anchor its start point to manhole S15.
    A closeup of the Plan View, with the pond centered and the callout arrow pointing to the manhole just outside the pond object, where the pipe connection is to be anchored.
  3. With the connection attached to the cursor, click again following the background image to place the connection end point.
    A closeup of the Plan View, with the pond centered and the callout arrow pointing to the pipe connection end point inside the boundary of the pond object.
  4. In the Toolbox, click the Select tool to avoid creating additional connections.
  5. To check the connected inlet’s properties, double-click the Pond icon.
  6. In the Pond dialog box, select Inlets.
  7. Expand the Inlet Type drop-down and set it to Point Inflow.
    The Pond dialog box, with the Inlets tab highlighted as active and the Inlet Type drop-down called out and the Point Inflow type showing.
  8. Click OK.

Once the inlet of the pond is set, connect an outlet.

  1. From the Toolbox, click and drag the pipe connection to the Pond, making sure to drop the start point so that it snaps to the background image of the pipe leaving the pond.
    A closeup of the Plan View, with the pond toward the left and the Pipe connection object highlighted as active in the Toolbox. In the Plan View, a callout arrow is pointing to the start of the outlet pipe connection inside the pond boundary.
  2. Drag the endpoint to the receiving manhole, (S16), situate the cursor so the manhole icon shows “Inlet,” then click to place the pipe.
    A closeup of the Plan View, with the pond centered and the outlet pipe connection endpoint is about to be placed. A plus icon indicates the addition of the pipe, and the word “Inlet” is showing, just before connection with the manhole.
  3. In the Toolbox, click Select.
  4. To check the connected outlet’s properties, double-click the outlet icon to open its properties.
    A very closeup view of the pond, with the callout pointing to the inside of the pond where the new outlet is now connected.
  5. In the Pond dialog, Outlets tab, expand the Outlet Type drop-down and select Orifice.

To calculate the diameter of the orifice, so that it limits the discharge from the pond to 16.1 l/s:

  1. Click the Diameter Calculator icon.
  2. In the Diameter Calculator dialog box, set the Design Depth to 1.675 (the maximum depth in the pond up to the freeboard level).
  3. Set the Design Flow to 1 L/s (calculated previously).
  4. Set the Coefficient of Discharge to 600, if it is not already.
    The Pond dialog box in the background, with the Diameter Calculator in the foreground showing the Design Depth, Design Flow, and Coefficient of Discharge options entered for calculation. The Diameter field is grayed out with a value of 0.077 meters calculated.
  5. The Diameter field reports a calculated value of 0.077 meters. Click OK to close the Diameter Calculator.
  6. Click OK to close the Pond dialog.
  7. In the Toolbox, click the Select tool.
  8. In the model, double-click the pipe entering the pond.
    A closeup of the pond, with the inlet pipe indicated with a callout for selection.
  9. In the Connections dialog box, set the Diameter/Base Width for both Pipe and Pipe(1) to 600 mm.
    The Connections dialog box, with a callout indicating the diameter values being entered for the two pipes.
  10. Click OK.

To make sure the pond is properly connected to the rest of the drainage system, check the flow path.

  1. In the Tree View, right-click the Flow Paths node and select Add.
  2. In the model, zoom out and pan the model view to access the first manhole in the desired flow path.
  3. Select manhole S1.
    The Tree View and Plan View. The Tree view is showing Flow Paths highlighted. The Plan View is showing the majority of the model, and a callout is indicating the first manhole, S1, being selected for the start of the flow path.
  4. Select manhole S17.
    A closeup of the pond, with a callout indicating the selection of manhole S17 for the end of the flow path.
  5. In the Tree View, expand Flow Paths.
  6. Right-click Flow Path and select Show Profile.

Note: the flow path is highlighted in the model and its path runs through the inlet and outlet created in the pond.

  • The Tree View and Plan view. The flow path is highlighted in red in the Plan view. A callout is indicating the selection of the Show Profile tool for the flow path.
  1. In the Profile – Flow Path dialog box, review the profile.
    The model in the background, with the Profile – Flow Path dialog box open and the graphic profile and data table showing for the flow path that now includes the inlet and outlet of the pond.
  2. When finished, close the dialog.