
Explore a complete demo of the final model to understand what you will build and how the tools come together in a real project.
Understand how the course is structured, what you will learn, and how each section builds toward real-world modeling skills.
Set up your working environment and review the basic steps needed to begin creating your first model.
Learn how to move through the interface, identify key tools, and work efficiently within the software.
Start the main exercise by reviewing objectives and preparing the initial setup for building a gravity sewer model.
Learn how the solver works and how it models gravity flow behavior within sewer systems.
Configure pipe materials and properties to ensure realistic and consistent modeling results.
Adjust drawing settings to create a clean and organized environment for building your network.
Create the physical layout by placing manholes and conduits to define the system structure.
Input key data such as inflows, elevations, and boundary conditions that drive model behavior.
Add loading data to simulate real flow contributions at each node in the network.
Define scenarios and configure calculation settings to evaluate different operating conditions.
Run the simulation and begin interpreting results such as flows and hydraulic grade lines.
Test the model under peak demand and identify potential capacity or performance issues.
Review the full workflow and reinforce the main lessons learned from the exercise.
Revisit the base model to understand its current behavior before adding pumping elements.
Introduce pumps into the system and define how they operate within the network.
Run the updated model and evaluate how pumps change flow conditions and system performance.
Simulate normal operating conditions and understand baseline system performance over time.
Introduce storm conditions to evaluate system response under higher loads.
Compare results across scenarios to identify critical conditions and system limitations.
Understand the goals and steps involved in automating model creation and data integration.
Generate a network from external data sources to speed up model creation.
Use terrain extraction tools to assign elevations and improve model accuracy.
Distribute demands across the network based on spatial data and user-defined criteria.
Execute the model and verify that all elements and data were correctly assigned.
Review results and validate the automated workflow for accuracy and consistency.
Define design goals and constraints that will guide the sewer system development.
Create the network while considering engineering rules and limitations.
Input required parameters that control design validation and system performance.
Run validation checks and computations to ensure the system meets defined criteria.
Use automation tools to refine and optimize the sewer network design.
Explore the main Bentley solutions used for hydraulic and hydrologic modeling.
Learn how OpenFlows works and how licensing is structured within Bentley’s ecosystem.
Welcome to this comprehensive course on Sanitary Sewer Modeling and Analysis using OpenFlows SewerGEMS (or SewerCAD, if applicable), developed under a Digital Twin–aligned approach for modern infrastructure engineering.
This course is designed to take you from the fundamentals of sewer system modeling to advanced analysis, simulation, and design workflows. Through a structured, hands-on methodology, you will learn how to build, simulate, and evaluate sanitary sewer networks using industry-leading tools and real-world engineering practices.
Unlike courses that focus only on software commands, this training emphasizes engineering reasoning, data-driven modeling, and system understanding, allowing you to interpret results, validate designs, and make informed decisions in real infrastructure projects.
Additionally, this course introduces a Digital Twin mindset, where models are not just static representations, but dynamic systems that integrate data, scenarios, and analysis to support planning, operation, and decision-making.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Understand the fundamentals of sanitary sewer systems and gravity flow behavior
Build and configure sewer network models in OpenFlows
Apply the GVF solver for realistic hydraulic simulations
Define loads, boundary conditions, and system parameters
Run simulations and interpret hydraulic results such as flows, depths, and profiles
Model pumping systems and evaluate their impact on network performance
Perform Extended Period Simulations (EPS) for dry and wet weather conditions
Compare scenarios to identify critical conditions and system limitations
Use Model Builder, T-Rex, and Load Builder to automate model creation
Apply constraint-based design approaches for optimized sewer systems
Understand how hydraulic models support Digital Twin strategies in infrastructure
Who Should Take This Course
This course is ideal for:
Civil and hydraulic engineers
Water and wastewater infrastructure professionals
Consultants working in urban drainage and utilities
GIS and modeling specialists
Students in civil, environmental, or hydraulic engineering
Anyone interested in developing practical skills in sewer system modeling
Course Structure
The course follows a progressive workflow that mirrors real engineering practice:
Section 1: Getting Started with the Workspace
Understand the interface, tools, and environment needed to begin building models efficiently.
Section 2: Building Your First Gravity Sewer Model
Develop a complete gravity sewer model from scratch and analyze its performance.
Section 3: Introducing Pumping Systems into the Model
Incorporate pumping elements and evaluate their influence on system behavior.
Section 4: Simulating Real Conditions with EPS
Simulate system performance over time under dry and wet weather conditions.
Section 5: Automating Model Creation and Data Assignment
Use automation tools to generate models, extract terrain, and assign loads efficiently.
Section 6: Designing with Constraints and Automation
Apply engineering criteria to design and optimize sewer networks.
Section 7: Exploring Bentley Water Solutions
Understand the broader OpenFlows ecosystem and licensing structure.
Why Take This Course
This course stands out for its practical, engineering-driven approach combined with Digital Twin principles.
You will not only learn how to use the software, but also how to:
Think like a hydraulic engineer
Build models that reflect real-world conditions
Use data and scenarios to support better decisions
Transition from static modeling to Digital Twin–oriented workflows
Each section is based on real workflows, ensuring that what you learn can be directly applied to professional projects.
About OpenFlows SewerGEMS / SewerCAD
OpenFlows SewerGEMS and SewerCAD are powerful solutions for modeling and analyzing sanitary and combined sewer systems. Widely used by engineers and utilities worldwide, they enable accurate simulation of hydraulic behavior, support system design, and play a key role in the development of digital twins for water infrastructure.