SMS:GenCade Graphical Interface

SMS provides a graphical interface that is designed to allow users to visualize the projects they are creating, easily modify project parameters, and view the solutions produced by the GenCade model. The GenCade interface exists in the 1D Grid Module.

A GenCade simulation consists of a geometric definition of the model domain (the grid) and a set of numerical parameters. The parameters define the boundary conditions and options pertinent to the model. To set up a simulation, the modeler can work directly with the 1D grid, but it is much more convenient to work with the conceptual model using a GenCade coverage.

Work with an existing simulation by selecting the 1D Grid Module. If a grid has already been created for a GenCade simulation or an existing simulation read, the grid object will exist in the Project Explorer and selecting that object will make the 1D Grid module active and set the model to GenCade.

The interface consists of the conceptual model tools in the Map Module and the grid specific options in the 1D Grid Module.

Map Module – Conceptual Interface

In the map module, the user creates a GenCade coverage (or coverages) that include the information defining the grid and structures in the desired simulation.

Grid Frame

The grid frame defines the orientation and extent that will be occupied by the 1D grid.

Feature Points

In a GenCade coverage, a feature point can be assigned to be:

• A generic place holder
• A wave gage – The attributes of this point include a time series of wave data.
• A refine point – This point will allow the user to control the grid density in the area of the point.

Feature Arcs

The arcs in a GenCade coverage can be assigned a variety of attributes including:

• Geometric object – shoreline and contours.
• Structure – jetty, inlet, sea wall, or breakwater and the associated parameters.
• Event – bypass or beach nourishment events and their time ranges and parameters.

The conceptual model is converted to a numeric model using the "Map → 1D grid" command. This command can overwrite an existing simulation or simply add additional structures to an existing simulation.

1D Grid Module - Numerical interface

The tools in the grid module allow the user to select individual structures graphically and change their parameters. The GenCade menu allows the user to bring up tables of all structures of a specific type, view their parameters, and make edits as needed.

Gencade Menu

• Global Section
  • Edit Grid
  • Edit Water Level Data
  • Edit Wave Data (New for multiple wave inputs)
  • Filter Wave Data (This tool was part of the GENESIS interface, but is currently not functional for GenCade)
• Shore Parallel Structures Section
  • Breakwaters (Detached breakwaters are temporally invariable at this time)
  • Seawalls
• Shore Normal Structures Section
  • Groins (was combined Groins/Jetties)
• Shore Feature Section
  • Inlets (New – includes an option to specify a jetty at the inlet)
• Events Section
  • Beach Fills
  • Bypassing
• Management Section
  • Model Control
  • Run GenCade

Running the Model

The GenCade Files are written automatically with the SMS project file or can be saved separately using the File | Save GenCade or File | Save As menu commands. See GenCade Files for more information on the files used for the GenCade run. GenCade can be launched from SMS using the GenCade | Run GenCade menu command.

Related Topics

• GenCade Model Control Dialog
• GenCade Result Visualization