New

Used to insert nodes in the workspace.

Nodes are created by default as transition nodes, i.e. nodes with no load that allow changes in direction whilst maintaining the section’s unit in the design. They can subsequently be edited via “Nodes”, “Edit analysis data”. If you right-click when entering a new node, you can also access the analysis data editing panel for the node being entered.

There are several ways to position the nodes on the model when using this option:

1. By absolute coordinates
   When entering the first node or base node of the installation by left-clicking on the screen, enter the node’s absolute X-coordinate and press "Enter"; then enter the absolute Y-coordinate and press "Enter" again.
2. By relative coordinates
   Starting with a base node, you can then add the remaining nodes using relative coordinates, i.e. by specifying distances relative to other nodes. To do this, left-click on the screen where you want to add the node and enter the relative X and Y coordinates relative to the position of the nearest node.
3. Importing DXF or DWG files
   The options for importing DXF or DWG files can be used to add nodes and segments.
4. Automatic generation of geometry
   From the "File" menu, click on "Import" and then "Geometry" to automatically generate the installation geometry from a DXF or DWG file. This file must use the metre as its drawing unit, and the network must be close to the coordinate origin. In this option, only the layers containing the sections you wish to use for generation should be selected.

Move

This allows you to reposition the selected node. After clicking on the node, click on another point to specify the new position.

Edit analysis data

This allows you to edit the selected node. You can use the left mouse button to draw a rectangular selection area on the screen to edit multiple nodes, selecting the fields you wish to edit. Furthermore, clicking the right mouse button brings up options to "Select" a single node, perform a "Multiple selection" node by node, or "Search" for a node by its reference.

In the edit window that appears, enter the node details:

• "General" tab
  • Node reference
  • Node
    • Consumption node
      A node where a gas flow rate or gas heat output is defined for each scenario, depending on the data entry mode specified in the "Parameters" tab, under "General data", "Edit general project data". When selecting this type of node, the program displays a table at the bottom that allows you to define the flow rate for each loadcase. This table displays the following columns:
      • Loadcase
      • Loads
        The flow rate or heat output can be defined in two ways:
        • Direct
        • By allocation
      • Flow rate / Heat output
        The flow rate or heat output is defined by entering the value directly if the "Direct" option has been selected, or by entering a value for "Capacity" and the "Number of units" to be considered, if the "By capacity" option has been selected.
      • Total flow rate / Total heat output
        Displays the total flow rate or total heat output.
    • General supply
      The supply point for the system. The program allows you to define either a single supply or multiple supplies for the network. When this node type is selected, the program displays a table at the bottom of the screen where you can specify the available pressure value for each combination in the "Supply pressure" column. This allows you to simulate different operating conditions for the system under various supply pressures.
    • Transition node
      A node that does not require any material to be used, allowing changes in direction whilst maintaining the continuity of the section in the design.

Furthermore, if you have ticked the "Show excavation parameters" box in the "Excavations" tab under the "General data" option and in "Edit general project data", you can edit the following data at the node:

• Ground level elevation
  The level reached by the surface after the trenches have been backfilled and the road surface has been laid.
• Soil elevation
  The level of the modified ground (not the undisturbed ground) from which excavation begins. The difference between the finished ground level and the ground level must be greater than the value for "Sub-base thickness" defined under "General data", "Edit general project data".
• Dimension
  Dimension of the lower part of the inner surface of the pipe at the node. This is the dimension required for designing the pipes.

• "Minimum pressure" tab:
  This allows you to enter specific minimum pressure limits for the node being edited, for each of the load case combinations shown in the table.
  • Use specific limit (optional)

• "Symbols" tab: Allows you to define specific symbols for the node being edited.
  • Specific supply symbols (optional)
  • Specific consumption symbols (optional)

Assign analysis data

This allows you to assign data to nodes quickly.

When you click on the option, a small window opens in the top-left corner of the screen. At the same time, the node with the lowest reference number will be highlighted in yellow, and you can view and/or edit the node’s data (such as the number of units, flow rate or heat output). You can navigate through all the nodes using the relevant buttons.

Information

This allows you to view the data entered in the node.

If the structure has been analysed, the analysis results for the node are also displayed for the combination currently selected. Furthermore, clicking on the node opens a window where you can view the results for any loadcase, combination, envelope and oscillation, both analytically and graphically: the "Graphs" button displays the "Pressure" and "Pressure drop" graphs for the different combinations.

Update dimensions

Update the elevations of all nodes based on the terrain topography defined in the BIM model.