Custom Inlets

[ncst8pe]

Is there any way to build a custom inlet? I don't see a way to model a yard inlet with a round grate. Also, the manual states that there are several manufacturer models available. How do we obtain those, other than the FHWA generic and Neenah that is included?

Thanks!

[Chris Maeder]

The current release of StormNET supports Neenah Foundry and FHWA storm drain inlets, as well as three recently added inlet types:

- Gutter Depth Capture Curve
- Gutter Flow Capture Curve
- Maximum Capture Curve

We have additional inlet data for about 15 other storm drain inlet manufacturers that we plan to add to the software. This will take some time to implement into the software.

Note that out of all the foundry manufacturers, Neenah Foundry has the largest selection of storm drain inlets, including round grates. I would think that you should be able to find a Neenah inlet that very closely matches the dimensions of your "yard inlet with a round grate". Note that Neenah have the models available on line at:
Home - Neenah Foundry Company

Find the equivalent Neenah inlet that most closely represents the inlet you need to model, and then select that Manufacturer Part Number within StormNET.

[b22smith]

Chris, could the yard inlet or any custom inlet be modeled as a pond with orifice link (bottom) and enter an equivalent length and width to match the open area of the actual grate? It would be nice on the inlet properties to allow for a user custom grate to enter the equivalent open area so you don't have to hunt for a Neenah grate to match close to what you need.

An associated question: Why does the grate diagram disappear when you pick the "Sag" option for Neenah grates?

[Chris Maeder]

The sag inlet equation also considers the wetted perimeter of the inlet grate. So, you would need to account for this in defining your orifice(s) if you wanted to come up with an equivalent orifice to match yard inlet.

Some of the Neenah foundry data has no images because the Neenah inlet catalog has not pictures for certain models. Not all "on sage" inlets are without pictures. You simply need to scroll further through the part list to find the sag inlets with pictures associated with them.