ModTech enables you to model groundwater flow and contaminant transport within a real-world geographic environment. ModTech has plenty of math power under its hood and - to extend the automotive metaphor - the steering and gear-box are pure Win-32: flexible, intuitive, and comfortable to the touch. This seamlessly integrated modeling & GIS environment enables you to:

• Design the model grid graphically or analytically
• Assign properties and introduce boundary conditions using a variety of methods
• Transform geographical objects or entire maps to model grids
• Visualize input parameters in 2D or 3D
• Run groundwater flow and contaminant transport simulations using common or proprietary solvers
• Automatically receive data for model calibration
• Display and interpret the modeling results in 2D and 3D
• Transform the modeling results to geographic objects
• Exchange input and output data with common GIS, CAD, and graphic formats
  

ModTech offers a unique combination of the data manipulation power you would expect from a GIS, the geo-mathematical ingenuity of a modeling software, and the comfort typical of Win-32 applications. It automatically performs all the chores that could be automated, and lets you concentrate on the actual modeling. ModTech performs especially well on large, complex models. This application is a great help to beginners. However, first and foremost, ModTech is a tool for seasoned professionals - and for the most challenging tasks.

The technology is being enhanced and updated as you read. Future versions of ModTech will include a proprietary mass transport simulation method, as well as groundwater flow models based on Self Potential data.

Features of ModTech

Model Schematization

• Easily define conceptual models, which include layer properties, boundary conditions, and sources/sinks in a semi-schematized form
• Use variable leakage coefficients
• Introduce layers of mixed (constant/variable) transmissivity
• Forget about the "dry-cells-cannot-get-wet" problem
• Schematize variable infiltration recharge using an exponential model

Model Grid Design

• Derive multiple grid models from a single conceptual model
• Define the model grid graphically or analytically
• Import base maps from a variety of formats - DXF, MOSS, and more
• Draw, rotate, align, and split the model grid over the site base map

Data Input

• Use the interactive data editor combined with a built-in set of formulas
• Use static and parametric legends to visualize parameter grids
• Define and apply masks for focused visualization of the input data
• Synchronize different parameter grids using Cell Inspectors
• Select from the seven parameter types to optimize data storage and manipulation
• Enter all common mass transport parameters (by layer or for the entire model) in a single dialog
• Reuse initial and modeled data by transferring it between models
• Transform geographic objects to the modeling input data
• Use a variety of built-in approximation methods for data transformation
• Import data from MODFLOW, GRID files, or text tables

Simulation Capabilities

• Solve steady-state and transient problems, in multi-layered, quasi-3D, isotropic or anisotropic (in plan view) media
• Simulate groundwater flow with commonly-used packages such as PCG2 and LMG
• On large-scale models, get better results with our proprietary solver - Chebyshev's Chess Algorithm
• Calculate "true" heads not only in the model cells but in the pumping wells themselves
• Use a graphic display to monitor solution convergence
• Control simulation (stop, pause, calculate interim balance)
• Simulate mass transport with the well-known MT3DMS algorithm
• Use the problem inversion option to delineate well capture zones and potentially hazardous areas

Model Calibration

• Have ModTech automatically calculate the difference between model and observation
• Export the model/observation data to any statistical software
• Use the built-in bar chart analyzer
• Derive calibration-ready grids of inter-cell flow, cell inflow, layer thickness, water table elevation, etc.

Model Display

• View simulation results in 2D or 3D, colored or shaded
• Render parameter grids on the map as cells, isolines, or zones
• Combine simulation results with geographic objects on the same map
• Transform the modeled data to geographic objects
• Use a variety of built-in approximation methods for data transformation
• rint full-color, high-resolution plots to any printer or plotter
• Export the modeled data to a variety of commonly used formats: DXF, MOSS, MIF, GEN, Visual MODFLOW, and more
  

Proven Benefits of ModTech

ModTech is a powerful, multi-purpose software package, which helps you solve any solvable hydrogeological problem: and some seemingly unsolvable ones, too! Well-proven benefits of ModTech are:

• Seamless integration of GIS and modeling features in one package
• Automation of most mundane tasks
• Open concept - hassle-free data exchange with many commonly-used formats
• A unique set of model schematization capabilities
• A powerful set of simulation methods, including commonly-used and proprietary algorithms
• Multiple ways of presenting the simulation results - on their own or combined with geographic data

If you are just starting your career in the field of groundwater flow modeling, you will benefit from the intuitive GUI, which will guide you through the less demanding parts and let you concentrate on learning the modeling business as such.

If you are an experienced professional dealing with non-trivial problems, you will soon discover that ModTech gives you a lot of additional leverage. Get the initial data from your client in any form and shape - be that a hard copy of the base map, or a text table of values - and import it to ModTech in ready-for-modeling format. Adjust, transform, and reuse the data as required. Try different simulation methods, fine-tune simulation parameters, and get the optimum result. Present simulation result in the format most suitable for the client - as a table, a chart, a simple map, or a map with the various layout extras.

Download the fully functional ModTech demo and explore all the benefits. That's right: the demo version has no functional or other limitations, and it is all yours for a full month. We bet that, with the comprehensive user documentation (some 500 PDF pages), and the context-sensitive help system, you will be able to solve your first real-life problem within the first week. We also bet that, starting from your second week, you will have a lot of questions, which we will be happy to answer by phone or email - free. And our final bet is that by the end of the trial month your only remaining question will be "can I afford it?". We hope you can!

To shorten the learning curve even more, take advantage of our comprehensive training course. Our trainers will come to your office anywhere in North America.

We know the difference between training and "real battle." Our experts are ready to help you out on your first couple of projects - from our office or on-site - at a very competitive "ModTech buyer's" price.

Using ModTech

Schematizing Models

The role of model schematization can hardly be overestimated. In many cases, the way you schematize your model makes the difference between a modeling success and failure. Being a technology rather than a collection of computational algorithms, ModTech offers you a rich schematization "toolbox" that includes:

• Models of groundwater discharge with various relationships between the groundwater and surface water, including full or partial discharge inversion
• Drainage models that account for infiltration losses in the entire drain or in its parts
• Balance calculation for arbitrary parts of the model domain, such as local catchments
• Variable orientation of anisotropy axes
• Drying up and watering of entire layers or specific areas
• Pinching out of aquitards that separate aquifers in specific parts of the model domain
• Models that take into consideration elastic or inelastic storage of low-permeability layers
• Models where any or all parameters vary in time
• Ability to split any aquifer or low-permeability layer into any number of sub-layers
• Unlimited number of pumping/injection wells and drains in any model

ModTech enables you to define abstract grid patterns, by entering cell sizes and numbers. You can also easily define conceptual models by linking the model domain to the corresponding geographic objects on a base map, in a geographic or Cartesian coordinate system. Once a conceptual model has been defined, you can derive multiple grid models from it, either interactively or analytically. Grid models can have different cell sizes and orientations. You can draw, rotate, align, and split grids over the site base map. Due to the GIS "core" of the application, base maps can be imported from a variety of formats - DXF, MOSS, GEN, etc. If need be, you can even create a base map using the mouse or digitizer to input geographic objects.

Entering the initial data for a groundwater flow model of an average complexity can take about 90% of the total modeling time. ModTech provides you with many tools that streamline and automate the data entry process:

Using the above tools and methods, you can cut the data entry time at least in half and focus on hydrogeology instead of typing and mouse-clicking.

You can apply a variety of simulation methods, and fine-tune simulation parameters to achieve the best result. ModTech incorporates the commonly-used groundwater flow simulation packages:

• PCG2
• LMG
• SIP
• SSOR

It also features a proprietary solver - Chebyshev's Chess Algorithm, which often provides a faster convergence and better accuracy on large-scale models. You are probably familiar with the problem posed by model areas that become dry in the course of the modeling and are not permitted by the model to become wet again. This problem does not exist in when you use Chebyshev's Chess Algorithm.

Variable infiltration recharge and evapotranspiration can be simulated with the standard linear (USGS) model, or with our proprietary exponential model which often enables a closer approximation.

Graphic display enables you to monitor problem solution convergence, as well as control the simulation process (stop, pause, calculate interim balance).

Mass transport simulation is based on the well-known MT3DMS algorithm. You can easily enter and change all common mass transport parameters (by layer or for the entire model) in a single dialog. You can use the problem inversion option to delineate well capture zones and potentially hazardous areas.

ModTech automatically calculates the difference between the modeled and observed data and saves it as a separate output parameter. You can export this parameter to any statistical software for analysis. Alternatively, you can use a built-in bar chart analyzer on any of the initial or modeled data sets. The analyzer includes legend management tools for enhanced visualization of results.