• AutoCAD(TM) style CAD input
  
• Fully automatic mesh generation based on geometry
  
• Fully automatic mesh refinement based on any relevant problem variables
  
• Fully automatic time-step refinement for transient problems
  
• Reduction in convergence problems over
  conventional software
  
• Models stored in database for later retrieval
  x
• Steady state or transient analysis
  
• Frozen or unfrozen analysis in saturated or unsaturated soils
  
• Model heat movement using an unlimited number of soil regions
  
• Import groundwater volumetric water contents from SVFlux
  
• Volumetric heat capacity represented by a constant or the Newman equation
  
• Temperature or gradient boundary conditions may be represented as constants or free-form equations of time or position

SVHeat 2D Advantages

The SVHeat automated geothermal modeling software package is not designed to be just another geothermal modeling package. It is specifically designed to bring geothermal modeling to "the next level". As such, it offers the following significant advantages over currently available geothermal modeling software packages:

Automatic mesh generation - Fully automatic mesh generation is provided based on problem geometry. The automatic mesh generation allows for simulation of extremely complex problems drawn manually or imported from AutoCAD.

Automatic mesh refinement - SVHeat is the only seepage software package worldwide to provide automatic mesh refinement based on any problem variable. For example, mesh refinement can be set to respond to head, gradients in the x or y direction, permeabilities in the x or y direction, etc.

Fully Automatic Time-step Refinement - SVHeat also provides automatic time-step refinement for transient seepage models. The time-step refinement provides an added degree of convergence stability in transient problems. Plots of program variables may be selected at any time-step irregardless of the time-step increment used to obtain a solution.

AutoCAD DXF import - SVHeat allows problem geometry to be imported from an AutoCAD DXF file thereby greatly reducing the time required to design a model. The automatic mesh generation automatically adapts to difficult imported geometry.

Increased solution stability - The automatic mesh refinement present in SVHeat causes the mesh to be refined around critical zones of the solution mesh. There are two benefits of this refinement. (1) The user is able to determine the location of critical zones visually, and, (2) the ability of SVHeat to converge around these critical zones is better than conventional geothermal software. The solver used by SVHeat uses the Galerkin Integral method with a non-linear Newton-Raphson iteration technique with pre-conditioning of the convergence matrix. The pre-conditioning of the convergence matrix significantly improves convergence stability.

Problem Customization - Models set up by the front end are written in a scripting language (similar to MathCAD ™) prior to being solved by the solver. The models may be modified and/or prior to solution by end-users familiar with the mathematical language. Coupling of models may be performed as well as additional functions or problem variables defined.

3D modeling capabilities - SVHeat2D can be upgraded to SVHeat3D. SVHeat3D is similar to SVHeat2D and therefore provides consistency to the end user.

Flexible boundary conditions - Free form equations may be input as boundary conditions.

Database functionality - All created models are stored in a database. This allows the user to develop a database of models. Models are organized by project and model type for future reference. All previous models can be used as templates in the creation of future models. The database format is also ideal for multi-user environments. The database file may be installed on a server and multiple users may "plug in" to the same file. All model creation is therefore centralized and available to the entire company.

Internal database of model soil properties - An internal database of soil properties (required for geothermal modeling) is maintained by the SVHeat software (separate from the SoilVision database). The user therefore has a choice with each new model to either enter new soil properties or pull soil properties from a previous problem.

Price advantage - SVHeat is designed as high-end geothermal modeling software while not breaking your budget! Email us for our current price list.

Simulation Features

• Steady-state analysis.
  
• Transient (time dependant) analysis.
  
• Saturated or unsaturated analysis.
  
• Flux sections may be placed at any location in the model to summarize energy flux across a section.
  
• Energy flux with time may be tracked across flux sections.
  
• Finite element analysis by the Galerkin method. The solver uses advanced features such as preconditioning of the convergence matrix as well as staging and automatic mesh refinement to achieve solutions with greater stability than any other software currently available.
  
• Fully automatic mesh generation. Mesh generation may be limited by a maximum number of nodes or by a maximum specified error.
  
• Fully automatic mesh refinement. Mesh refinement is based on the relative error of the governing equation and therefore automatically locates critical zones. In a transient analysis a different mesh is generated for each time step. SVHeat is currently the only geothermal package in the world to offer this feature.
  
• Fully automatic time-step refinement for transient analysis. The time-steps selected by the solver are independant of the plotting intervals selected by the user.
  
• SVHeat is designed to model the transition between frozen and unfrozen soils. Functional properties such as thermal conductivity versus temperature and unfrozen water content versus temperature may be entered to describe the phase change relationship between ice and water. Specific heat may be specified to follow the contant or Newman formulation.

Model Design Features

• CAD style entry of geometry.
  
• Grid, snapping, and object snapping features available.
  
• Zooming, panning features available.
  
• Import AutoCAD DXF geometry and incorporate it directly in the model. The automatic mesh generation will automatically allign node points with line segment end points.
  
• Graphically assign boundary conditions.
  
• Head or flux boundary conditions may be specified as contants or free-form equations. Free form equations may be specified as a function of position or time (i.e. T=30+exp(time)*2.5+x*0.8)
  
• Problems may be entered in Metric or Imperial units
  
• All aspects of all models are stored in a database which may be placed on a server. Multiple users may be "plugged in" to the same modeling database.
  
• Initial water contents may be imported from an SVFlux analysis.
  
• A central database of soil properties for all entered geothermal problems is maintained. New problems may draw soils from existing problems.
  
• Problem geometry may be imported from existing problems.
  
• Existing problems may be saved under a new name in the database to allow quick generation of multiple scenarios.
  
• Colors or patterns of soil regions may be specified.
  
• Manual entry of region coordinate points.
  
• Lines may be added to model to force mesh refinement along a linear object.
  
• Internal boundary conditions may be set or node density specified along internal line objects.
  
• Sketch text or lines may be added to the model design.
  
• Graphical model design may be exported as a WMF or DXF file and/or printed.
  
• Bitmaps may be imported and layered behind model geometry to simplify model creation.

Output Features

• Color contour plots of temperature, unfrozen water content, or thermal conductivity may be produced. Custom color shadings may be specified.
  
• Plots may be zoomed to isolate any region of interest.
  
• Vector plots of thermal gradients.
  
• Volume or water volume integrals may be computed over the entire problem or any particular region of interest.
  
• Mesh plots track mesh refinement.
  
• Plots of value versus time may be generated at any coordinate for the following values: temperature, unfrozen water content, or thermal conductivity.
  
• Surface plots of any 2D variable over the problem region may be produced.
  
• Overlaying of plots may be performed. For example, vectors may be shown in Region 1 while contours of head may be shown in Region 2.
  
• Text and line art may be added to output.
  
• Graphical output may be exported to WMF, EMF, DXF, GIF, or BMP formats.
  
• Transient results may be animated.
  
• Plotting of thermal flowlines is possible.

Applications

• Thermal design of roads and airstrips.
  
• Ground freezing for soil stabilization.
  
• Insulation design for shallow buried piping
  
• Thawing beneath heated or chilled structures.
  
• Freezing around chilled pipelines.
  
• Temperature variation over large areas with significant relief.

SVHeat 3D Introduction

SVHeat 3D represents the ultimate in the 3D modeling of saturated and unsaturated heat transfer. Our simple AutoCAD(TM) style CAD input module allows for creation of your model as a series of surfaces and layers.

Once the model is input our powerful finite element solver will take over. Mesh generation and refinement is fully automatic allowing you to focus on the solution and not on convergence problems. Geothermal gradients as well as the movement of freezing fronts may all be modeled.

Visualize the results of your analysis as contour plots of pressure or head as 2D slices through your problem. Move up to our visualization module for advanced plots including pathlines, transparency, cut-aways, isosurfaces, and animation.

SVHeat 3D Key Features

• 80% average reduction in modeling time over comparable software
  
• AutoCAD(TM) style CAD input
  
• Model saturated or unsaturated flow
  
• Models stored in a database for later retrieval
  
• Fully automatic mesh generation based on geometry
  
• Fully automatic mesh refinement based on any relevant problem variables
  
• Fully automatic time-step refinement for transient problems
  
• Contour plots of temperature
  
• Advanced visualization including pathlines, pathlines, cut-aways, isosurfaces, and animation

SVHeat 3D Advantages

The SVHeat automated geothermal modeling software package is not designed to be just another geothermal modeling package. It is specifically designed to bring geothermal modeling to "the next level". As such, it offers the following significant advantages over currently available geothermal modeling software packages:

Automatic mesh generation - Fully automatic mesh generation is provided based on problem geometry. The automatic mesh generation allows for simulation of extremely complex problems drawn manually or imported from AutoCAD.

Automatic mesh refinement - SVHeat is the only geothermal software package worldwide to provide automatic mesh refinement based on any problem variable. For example, mesh refinement can be set to respond to temperature, gradients in the x or y direction, conductivities in the x or y direction, etc.

Fully Automatic Time-step Refinement - SVHeat also provides automatic time-step refinement for transient geothermal models. The time-step refinement provides an added degree of convergence stability in transient problems. Plots of program variables may be selected at any time-step irregardless of the time-step increment used to obtain a solution.

Increased Solution Stability - The automatic mesh refinement present in SVHeat causes the mesh to be refined around critical zones of the solution mesh. There are two benefits of this refinement. (1) The user is able to determine the location of critical zones visually, and, (2) the ability of SVHeat to converge around these critical zones is better than conventional geothermal software. The solver used by SVHeat uses the Galerkin Integral method with a non-linear Newton-Raphson iteration technique with three types of pre-conditioning of the convergence matrix. The pre-conditioning of the convergence matrix significantly improves convergence stability over other software solutions.

Modeling in the Unsaturated Zone - SVHeat is formulated to handle heat flow through the unsaturated (vadose) zone.

Model Creation Method - SVHeat offers four specific advantages over other software solutions in the creation of models. 3D wireframes of grids and regions allow previewing of created model. The following four features allow the creation of extremely complex models quickly and efficiently:

1) Varying Grid Density - Models are created in SVHeat3D by stacking grids. Each grid may be of a different density. Grid densities of up to 12,000 points have been successfully implemented in SVHeat3D models. Grids may be imported from Surfer files

2) Varying Grid Size - It is not a requirement in SVHeat3D that grids be the same size.

3) Pinching out of Grids - Pinching out of grids can be handled easily in SVHeat3D. Overlapping grids can also be handled by specifying which grid is the dominant grid. Grids can also be modified to allow a minimum thickness between grids.

4) Highly irregular problem definition - Regions are specified as cookie-cutter shapes extruded between surfaces. Regions may be any irregular shape and may be extruded between one or several surfaces.

Problem Customization - Models set up by the front end are written in a scripting language (similar to MathCAD ™) prior to being solved by the solver. The models may be modified and/or prior to solution by end-users familiar with the mathematical language. Coupling of models may be performed as well as additional functions or problem variables defined.

Internal Database Of Model Soil Properties - An internal database of soil properties (required for geothermal modeling) is maintained by the SVHeat software (separate from the SoilVision database). The user therefore has a choice with each new model to either enter new soil properties or pull soil properties from a previous problem.

Flexible Boundary Conditions - Free form equations may be input as boundary conditions.

Database Driven - All created models are stored in a database. This allows the user to develop a database of models. Models are organized by project and model type for future reference. All previous models can be used as templates in the creation of future models. The database format is also ideal for multi-user environments. The database file may be installed on a server and multiple users may "plug in" to the same file. All model creation is therefore centralized and available to the entire company.

SVHeat 3D Simulation Features

• Steady-state analysis.
  
• Transient (time dependant) analysis.
  
• Saturated or unsaturated analysis.
  
• Flux sections may be placed on internal or external irregular surfaces and/or extruded walls of the problem.
  
• Energy with time may be tracked across flux sections.
  
• Finite element analysis by the Galerkin method. The solver uses advanced features such as preconditioning of the convergence matrix as well as staging and automatic mesh refinement to achieve solutions with greater stability than any other software currently available.
  
• Fully automatic mesh generation. Mesh generation may be limited by a maximum number of nodes or by a maximum specified error.
  
• Fully automatic mesh refinement. Mesh refinement is based on the relative error of the governing equation and therefore automatically locates critical zones. In a transient analysis a different mesh is generated for each time step. SVHeat is currently the only geothermal package in the world to offer this feature.
  
• Fully automatic time-step refinement for transient analysis. The time-steps selected by the solver are independant of the plotting intervals selected by the user.
  
• SVHeat is designed to model the transition between frozen and unfrozen soils. Functional properties such as thermal conductivity versus temperature and unfrozen water content versus temperature may be entered to describe the phase change relationship between ice and water. Specific heat may be specified to follow the contant or Newman formulation.
  

SVHeat 3D Model Design Features

• CAD style plan view entry of geometry.
  
• Model built as stacked surfaces.
  
• Each surface may have multiple regions defined. Regions are extruded between the surfaces on which they are placed.
  
• Grid, snapping, and object snapping features available.
  
• Zooming, panning features available.
  
• Graphically assign boundary conditions.
  
• Head or flux boundary conditions may be specified as contants or free-form equations. Free form equations may be specified as a function of position or time (i.e., T=30+exp(time)*2.5+0.5*y)
  
• Problems may be entered in Metric or Imperial units
  
• All aspects of all models are stored in a database which may be placed on a server. Multiple users may be "plugged in" to the same modeling database.
  
• Region geometry may be cut and pasted into the model from tabular sources such as Excel.
  
• Initial water contents may be imported from a SVFlux analysis.
  
• A central database of soil properties for all entered geothermal problems is maintained. New problems may draw soils from existing problems.
  
• Problem geometry may be imported from existing problems.
  
• Existing problems may be saved under a new name in the database to allow quick generation of multiple scenarios.
  
• Colors or patterns of soil regions may be specified.
  
• Manual entry of region coordinate points.
  
• Lines (extruded into walls) may be added to model to force mesh refinement along a linear object.
  
• Internal boundary conditions may be set or node density specified along internal wall object.
  
• Sketch text or lines may be added to the model design.
  
• Graphical model design may be exported as a WMF or DXF file and/or printed.
  
• Bitmaps may be imported and layered behind model geometry to simplify model creation.
  

SVHeat 3D Output Features without TecPlot Module

• Color 2D contour plots of temperature, unfrozen water content, or thermal conductivity may be produced at any X, Y, or Z plane section through the problem.
  
• Plots may be zoomed to isolate any region of interest.
  
• 2D Vector plots of gradients may be produced at any X, Y, or Z plane section through the problem.
  
• Volume or water volume integrals may be computed over the entire problem or any particular region of interest.
  
• Mesh plots track general mesh refinement.
  
• Plots of value versus time may be generated at any coordinate for the following values: temperature, unfrozen water content, or thermal conductivity.
  
• Surface plots of any 2D variable over the problem region may be produced.
  
• Graphical output may be exported to BMP or PNG formats.

SVHeat 3D Output Features with TecPlot Module

• Color visualization of 3D mesh is available.
  
• Transparency allows visualization of internal mesh and/or isosurfaces.
  
• Cutaways allow user to view internal sections of the model.
  
• Color 3D contour plots of head, pore-water pressure, kx, ky, water storage, and volumetric water content may be placed on any face of the model. Custom color shadings may be specified.
  
• Isosurfaces may be plotted.
  
• Overlaying of plots may be performed. For example, vectors may be shown in Region 1 while contours of head may be shown in Region 2.
  
• 3D Vector plots of gradients.
  
• Text and line art may be added to output.
  
• Graphical output may be exported to WMF, DXF, JPG, or BMP formats.
  
• Plotting of 3D streamtraces.
  
• Animation of 2D or 3D transient results.
  
• Overlay of DXF files.

SVHeat 3D Applications

• Thermal design of roads and airstrips.
  
• Ground freezing for soil stabilization.
  
• Insulation design for shallow buried piping
  
• Thawing beneath heated or chilled structures.
  
• Freezing around chilled pipelines.
  
• Temperature variation over large areas with significant relief.