Inference Data objects are used during the process of inferring missing data values in the network. The Inference Data object contains a set of rules that controls the inference process.
Missing network values can be inferred from existing data, allowing you to fill in gaps in your data with reasonable values. For example, if the width of a pipe is missing but you have the width of the pipe immediately upstream, it is reasonable to assume that the missing width is the same. InfoWorks WS Pro includes a set of inference rules that you can apply to all or part of the network. The use of a common set of rules within the software means that all missing data can be inferred to the same standard, rather than depending on who does the inference or when it is done.
Inference rules are viewed and edited in the Inference Data Editor.
InfoWorks WS Pro can infer the following missing values:
Merging of nodes and links via Proximity tests can also be carried out using inference rules.
You can infer values for either the currently selected objects or the whole network. You can also choose which missing values are to be inferred and select the user-defined data flag that is to be applied to all inferred values. The use of a data flag is important for auditing purposes, as it allows you to distinguish between inferred data and data created in other ways.
InfoWorks WS Pro has built-in inference rules for link parameters, node parameters, customer point elevations, pump and pumping station parameters, reservoir parameters and proximity testing.
Before you can infer missing data, you must create an Inference Data object in the database. This is stored in an Inference Data group. See Creating Groups and Creating an Item Within a Group for more information on creating the empty object. You need to set up the inference parameters you require in this object before initiating the inference process.
To set up an Inference Data object:
To infer missing values: