This document provides a step-by-step guide to using a design tool for Hydro-Brake Optimum flow control devices. The tool allows users to enter design inputs like head, flow, and mounting options. It then provides design outputs, including hydraulic characteristic curves, dimensions, and downloadable design files. Key inputs include design head, flow, and objectives to minimize storage, blockage risk, or allow for future changes. Outputs include reviewed dimensions and files for hydraulic modeling software.

1. Hydro-Brake Optimum®
Design Tool
Step by Step Guide

2. Flow Control Design in
Just 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Enter Design Inputs
Step 2: Review Design Onscreen
Step 3: Receive Detailed Design
Outputs Direct to your Email Inbox

3. Registration / Login
• On first use, you will be invited to Register and will be
able to use the tool straight away
• On subsequent visits, log in using the User Name and
Password supplied during Registration
If you forget your User
Name or Password,
contact the Design Tool
Support Hotline on:
01275 337957

4. Before we get started…
About the Hydraulic Response Characteristic Curve
The Hydraulic Response Characteristic Curve of the Hydro-Brake
Optimum® is defined using 3 points:
1. Flush-Flo™
The point at which a vortex begins
to build within the unit.
2. Kick-Flo®
The point at which a stable vortex is
formed and maintained
3. Design Point
A point along the curve where the
flow is controlled to a specified
value at a known head.

5. Before we get started…
About the Hydraulic Response Characteristic Curve
The Hydraulic Response Characteristic Curve of the Hydro-Brake
Optimum® is defined using 3 points:
1. Flush-Flo™
The point at which a vortex begins
to build within the unit.
2. Kick-Flo®
The point at which a stable vortex is
formed and maintained
3. Design Point
A point along the curve where the
flow is controlled to a specified
value at a known head.
Note: The Design Point alone is not sufficient to define the curve.
Many different units with different Flush-Flo™ and Kick-Flo®
points can all achieve the same primary design point.

6. A word about tooltips
If you get stuck at any point, hold your mouse cursor over
any icon for a short tip

7. Step 1) Enter Design Inputs

8. Design head is taken as the difference in elevation
between the invert of the outlet pipe and the top water level
(TWL) upstream.
The maximum Design Head is 4m.
DesignHead
Primary Design Point: Design Head
Hydro-Brake® Optimum
Maximum
Design TWL
Maximum Design TWL
DesignHead

9. Primary Design Point: Design Flow
The Design Flow should be set at the maximum
permissible discharge rate from the catchment or sub-
catchment. This will generally be specified by the authority
responsible for the downstream receiving waterbody or
sewer.
The maximum Design Flow is 250 l/s.
Controlled Flow =
Maximum permissible
discharge rate =
Design Flow

10. Customised Hydraulic Response:
Objective
1. Minimise Storage
Requirements (Default)
Maximises the flow rate at the
Flush-Flo® point and the head
at the Kick-Flo™ point to pass
forward as much flow as
possible at all heads up to and
including the head at the
Design Point (Design Head)
without exceeding the design
flow.
There are three standard Objectives:

11. Customised Hydraulic Response:
Objective
2. Minimise Blockage Risk
Maximises the clearances
through the unit to minimise
the risk of any debris carried
within the flow from becoming
lodged in the unit.
There are three standard Objectives:

12. Customised Hydraulic Response:
Objective
3. Future Proof
Adds an adjustable inlet to the
unit and sets this at close to its
mid-point to allow the greatest
possible flexibility for dealing with
future changes in the system
requirements.
Typically, the Design Flow can
be adjusted by 20% post
installation.
Note:
Modelling of the adjustment
range is not currently supported.
Contact us to obtain full details.
There are three standard Objectives:

13. Customised Hydraulic Response:
Flush-Flo™
Flush-Flo™
Alternatively to selecting a
standard Objective, you can
define the flow rate at which the
vortex begins to form (Flush-
Flo™). This can be set at less
than, equal to or greater than the
Design Flow.
Note:
Leaving the Flush-Flo™ input
box empty will automatically set
the Flush-Flo™ equal to the
Design Flow

14. Mechanical Build Options:
Mounting Style
Select your desired standard mounting style:
Note: Some mounting styles may not be available for particular design
inputs. Contact us for bespoke mounting solutions or off-site solutions.
Mounting Plate
(Flat or Curved)
Push-Fit Spigot Mounting Lugs
(Default)

15. Mechanical Build Options:
Adjustable Inlet
Units can be supplied with or without an adjustable inlet.
Flow rates can typically be adjusted by 20% post
installation.
Note: Future Proof Objective requires an adjustable inlet

16. Step 2) Review Design Outputs:
Hydraulic Characteristics

17. Review Design Outputs:
Key Dimensions

18. Site Specific Design (SSD)
For larger units, non standard
chamber constructions may be
required.
Under these conditions, the
Design Tool will not automatically
generate all of installation
dimensions.
Contact us for advice on chamber
construction.

19. Step 3) Obtain Design Files
Your selected design files will be sent to the email address
provided during registration.
Note: Add HydroBrakeOptimumDesignTool@hydro-int.com to your
safe senders list to prevent this email going to your spam or junk folder

20. Available Output Files
Hydraulic
Characteristic Curve
Dimensioned Drawing Hydraulic Modelling
Data
To suit commercially
available hydraulic
software (see next slide
for currently supported
packages)

21. Hydraulic Modelling Data
Micro Drainage
Compatible (.csv)
Data in 0.1m or 0.2m
Head Increments (.csv)
Generic Data (.csv)
• Micro Drainage 2014
• WinDes 2013
• WinDes w12
• WinDes w11 and
earlier
110 lines of head / flow
data in .csv format,
suitable for viewing in
Microsoft Excel (or
similar).

22. After requesting design files, you can continue to use the
Design Tool, which will generate your files in the
background.
Please do not log out or exit your browser until the
Design File Email Request Acknowledgement is
shown.
Design File Email Request
Acknowledgement

23. Hydro-Brake Optimum® Design Tool
Try the tool for yourself –
click on the image below to
launch the tool:
Download the User Guide
for further information:

24. Thank you
01275 337937
Email: enquiries@hydro-int.com