HydroCAD Supports
ERA StormCrates
HydroCAD provides direct support for ERA StormCrates. This allows the StormCrate to be easily used within any HydroCAD model for stormwater storage, detention, or infiltration.
The ERA StormCrates are supported in HydroCAD 10.2-2g and later. If you have an earlier version of HydroCAD, you must obtain a program update in order to model StormCrates.
How chambers are modeled
In a HydroCAD model, stormwater chambers typically appear as part of the
storage definition for a "pond". In the simplest case, HydroCAD
calculates the available storage for use with other calculations.
But more often, it is used to generate a complete inflow or runoff hydrograph and
route it through the pond. The resulting analysis indicates the water
levels attained throughout the rainfall event, as well as any discharge
that may occur through outlet devices or infiltration into the surrounding
ground.
Flexible storage options
Each pond may include an unlimited number of storage definitions as required to describe its overall storage characteristics. This makes it easy to model complex storage arrangements, such as a combination of multiple chambers, pipe storage, catch basins, or other contributing volumes.
But the most significant feature is the ability to embed (bury) chambers in a
bed of crushed stone, and have HydroCAD automatically calculate the combined
storage at any water surface elevation. This makes it easy to determine
the storage for virtually any configuration of storage chambers, without
resorting to any manual calculations.
HydroCAD can also model almost any imaginable storage arrangement, including chambers of different sizes combined with auxiliary storage from adjacent pipes and catch basins, and even the above-ground areas (parking lot) that may provide overflow storage for certain events.
Modeling the Eco-Rain StormCrates
Setting up a pond to use StormCrates is a simple process: Just pick "ERA StormCrates" from the drop-down list, select the desired height, and specify the total number of chambers.
For chambers in a stone bed, you can describe the shape and dimensions of the outer excavation, plus the stone voids (porosity), and the composite storage is calculated automatically. Or you can use the new chamber wizard for automatic chamber layout, modeling, and cost estimating.
Detailed chamber information
For detailed chamber specifications and design information, please visit the ERA web site.
For more information about HydroCAD
Please see the following pages for further HydroCAD information:
Pond storage calculations
Storage chamber modeling
(includes step-by-step instructions)
Exfiltration calculations
General support page
HydroCAD features and capabilities
Free evaluation program
Pricing and ordering
Images courtesy of EcoRainAmerica.
StormCrates is a trademark of EcoRainAmerica.
HydroCAD® is a registered trademark of HydroCAD
Software Solutions LLC.