Steady-state analyses determine the operating behavior of the system at a specific point in time or under steady-state conditions (flow rates and hydraulic grades remain constant over time). This type of analysis can be useful for determining pressures and flow rates under minimum, average, peak, or short term effects on the system due to fire flows.

For this type of analysis, the network equations are determined and solved with tanks being treated as fixed grade boundaries. The results that are obtained from this type of analysis are instantaneous values and may or may not be representative of the values of the system a few hours, or even a few minutes, later in time.

In Bentley HAMMER, a steady state simulation (Analysis > Compute Initial Conditions) can be used to establish the initial conditions for the transient simulation.