Drainage and Utilities

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Miscellaneous CAD

Drainage and Utilities Learning Path

Course Overviews

   Microstation Part 1

Course Overview

Part 1 of the Microstation Connect Edition learning path is a self-paced Bentley Learn course that is available to all MDOT CADD users.

This course is a pre-requisite for all other MDOT learning paths

This self-paced Bentley Learn course covers foundational knowledge for use basic Microstation tools as a civil designer. For consultant designers with access to Bentley Learn, this learning path is very similar to the MicroStation CONNECT Edition Learning Path for Civil Designers which is available to all Bentley Learn subscribers. Topics covered include:


  1. Introduction to MicroStation Connect Edition
  2. Controlling the Display of Designs for Civil Designers
  3. Using General Tools in MicroStation Connect Edition for Civil Designers
  4. Drawing with MicroStation for Civil Designers
  5. Additional Drawing Tools
  6. Manipulating and Modifying Elements for Civil Designers
  7. Working with Cells for Civil Designers
  8. Annotating Designs for Civil Designers


Course Pre-Requisites: This course assumes no previous knowledge of Microstation. There are no pre-requisites for this course. This course is a pre-requisite for all other MDOT learning paths.

Estimated Time to Complete: 32 Hours 


   Drainage and Utilities Part 1

Course Overview

Part 1 of the Drainage and Utilities learning path is a self-paced Bentley Learn course that is available to all MDOT CADD users.

This self-paced Bentley Learn course covers foundational knowledge for use Drainage and Utilities tools that are included in OpenRoads Designer. For consultant designers with access to Bentley Learn, this learning path is very similar to the 09 - OpenRoads Designer - Drainage & Utilities learning path which is available to all Bentley Learn subscribers. Topics covered include:


  1. QuickStart - Navigating the Interface
  2. QuickStart - Evaluating Subsurface Utilities in OpenRoads Designer
  3. Drainage Layout and Design
  4. QuickStart - Laying out a Drainage Network in OpenRoads Designer
  5. Hydraulic Analysis and Design in OpenRoads Designer
  6. Managing Multiple Scenarios CONNECT Edition
  7. Dynamic Analysis - SWMM CONNECT Edition
  8. Ponds - A Physical and Hydraulic Introduction
  9. Detecting and Managing Utility Conflicts CONNECT Edition
  10. Creating Utilities from Graphics in OpenRoads Designer
  11. What Happens When You Place a Pipe
  12. What Happens When You Place an Inlet
  13. What Happens When you Hit Compute

Course Pre-Requisites: This course assumes a working knowledge of basic Microstation functions. Users should review and complete the following courses prior to taking this course:

  1. Microstation Connect Edition Part 1 (Available to MDOT Employees via Bentley Learn)

Estimated Time to Complete: 16 Hours 


   Drainage and Utilities Part 2

Course Overview

Part 2 of the Drainage and Utilities learning path is an MDOT developed course that can be completed either self-paced, or in-person as classes are offered by MDOT. This course is compatible with the versions of OpenRoads Designer and the MDOT Connect Workspace that are currently in production at MDOT.

This course covers foundational knowledge for using Drainage and Utilities on MDOT design projects. Topics covered include:

  1. System Layout
  2. Checking the Model
  3. Editing the Model
  4. Spread Calculations
  5. Conduit Calculations
  6. Reporting
  7. Clash Detection


Course Pre-Requisites: This course assumes a working knowledge of basic Microstation and Drainage and Utilities functions. Users should review and complete the following courses prior to taking this course:

  1. Microstation Connect Edition Part 1 (Available to MDOT Employees via Bentley Learn)
  2. Drainage and Utilities Part 1

Estimated Time to Complete: 8 Hours

Initial Network Layout

This series covers the initial layout of the drainage network.

Drainage and Utility Network Layout - Structures

Drainage and Utility Network Layout - Conduits

Drainage and Utility Network Layout - Check the Model

Dataset Download - Network Layout.zip

Training Reference - ExTerrain.dgn

Training Reference - Survey 2D.dgn

Drainage and Utilities Best Practices

The following items are best practices when using Drainage and Utilities

  1. It is best to keep different hydraulic networks in different files in order to minimize data loss in the event of file corruption. This does not apply to very small networks
  2. Do not snap to anything when placing nodes. This often leads to additional crashes of the software
  3. Node elevations should refer a terrain model for their elevation.
    1. While it is possible to use a roadway mesh for the elevation, this is not the best practice as the roadway mesh cannot read terrain information beyond its own limits
  4. Use Civil AccuDraw to place nodes with precision at a particular station and offset. This creates element manipulators for dynamic editing when changes to the network occur
  5. Use scenarios to quickly analyze different design storms or inlet capture options in accordance with the MDOT drainage manual

Drainage and Utilities Guidance

In accordance with MDOT Design Advisory DA-2023-02, Bentley OpenRoads Designer Drainage & Utilities software, version 2021 R1 with the MDOT 10.10 workspace configuration, is approved for use on MDOT Trunkline projects, for design of enclosed stormwater systems and ditch capacity analysis. The workspace configuration has been customized to meet MDOT drainage standards.

MDOT flex tables that contain the assumptions and design parameters must be submitted as part of the Drainage Study. These MDOT flex tables have been set up in the workspace and are generated directly from the software.

Replace references to Geopak Drainage in Section 7.4.9.7 of the MDOT Drainage Manual with Drainage & Utilities.

There are certain conditions in which Drainage & Utilities software is not approved for use. These are:

  1. Culvert Analysis
  2. Watershed analysis using the SCS Method (drainage areas greater than 20 acres.)
  3. Combining ditch (open) and storm sewer (closed) conduits in one network.

Refer to the MDOT Drainage Manual for design practices and/or software for these conditions.

Special care should be used when storm sewers are found to be either in supercritical or pressure flow. Refer to Chapter 7 in the MDOT Drainage Manual or contact the MDOT Hydraulics resource listed in the left column.

Please refer to the following link for the Drainage & Utilities Guidance document: Drainage & Utilities Guidance Document

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