Units and Dimensions in GoldSim

Lesson 2, page 9 of 12

As you no doubt noticed in the previous page, the equation referenced specific units:

One of the more unique and powerful computational features of GoldSim is that the program is dimensionally aware.

GoldSim has an extensive internal database of units and conversion factors. You can enter data and display results in any units. You can even define your own customized units.

When elements The basic building blocks with which a GoldSim model is constructed. Each element represents a feature, pararamer, process or event in the model. are created, you must specify their output dimensions. For example, when the Pumping_Rate element was created in the example shown above, it was defined to have dimensions of volume per time (m3/min). When elements are linked, GoldSim ensures dimensional consistency and carries out all of the unit conversions internally. For example, you could add meters and feet in an equation, and GoldSim would internally carry out the conversion. Note, however, that if you tried to add meters and hours, GoldSim would issue a warning message and prevent you from doing so.

In this example, GoldSim ensures that Elevation actually has dimensions of a length (since it is being compared to a 115 m). In this case, it converts it to meters (regardless of the length units with which Elevation was defined) and does the comparison to 115 m. If Elevation did not have units of a length, GoldSim would display an error.

As a result of this feature, when you use GoldSim, it is never necessary for you to carry out (error-prone) unit conversions.