HEC-RAS

version 3.0.1

HEC-RAS Download files:

HEC-RAS download files Version 3.0.1 needed for ice jams User's Manual Hydraulic Reference Manual Applications Guide
Please note: these files, and future updates of the program and

documentation, can be freely downloaded from the HEC website:

http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/software_distrib/hec-ras/hecrasprogram.html http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/software_distrib/hec-

HEC-RAS Documentation:
Users Manual
for the beginner how to get started details of how to use HEC-RAS (input, output, running) HEC-

Hydraulic Reference Manual

details of the equations, theories, assumptions, methods advice on how best to use HEC-RAS HEC details on differences between HEC-RAS and HEC-2 HECHEC-

Applications Guide
example applications, step-by-step step- by-

Introduction to HEC-RAS

Overview of HEC-RAS Interface and output features Modelling Ice Covers

HEC RAS Version 3.0.1 (March 2001)

1-D steady GVF calculations Open water Simple ice cover Ice jam 1-D unsteady GVF calculations Subcritical flow only Sediment Analysis Bridge scour (contraction and pier scour) HEC-6 type calcs (coming later)

1-D Steady Flow Calculation

Flow regimes
Subcritical Supercritical Mixed

Basic solution procedure

Based on the energy equation Momentum equation used for special cases (e.g. RVF, mixed flow regimes, confluences, bridges, hydraulic jumps)

Energy Equation
2 V22 1V12 WS 2 + = WS 1 + + he 2g 2g
WS1 & WS2 = water surface elevations (WS = Z + Y) V1 & V2 = average velocities 1 & 2 = kinetic energy correction coefficients g = gravitational acceleration he = head loss (due to friction & transitions) HEC-RAS uses the Standard Step method proceeding in either the upstream direction (subcritical flow) or the downstream direction (supercritical flow).

Energy Losses
2 2 V2 1V12 he = LS f + C( ) 2g 2g

L = discharge weighted reach length Sf = friction slope, averaged between the two sections C = contraction or expansion loss coefficient

(Mannings Equation)
Q= 1 1/ 2 AR 2 / 3 S f n
S.I. version

Friction Slope, Sf

Q = discharge for the section n = Mannings resistance coefficient A = flow area R = hydraulic radius Sf = friction slope

Introduction to HEC-RAS

Overview of HEC-RAS Interface and output features Modelling Ice Covers

To start the program, double click on the HEC-RAS icon

This opens HEC-RAS main window

HEC-RAS works with projects.

Elements of a Project
Project File: filename.prj Geometry Data filename.g01 Plan 1 filename.p01 Run File 1 filename.r01 Output File 1 filename.o01 Geometry Data filename.g02 Plan 2 filename.p02 Run File 2 filename.r02 Output File 2 filename.o02 Steady Flow Data filename.f01

Geometry Data

Geometry data can be imported from both HEC-RAS or HEC-2 file formats.

Reach Layout Drawing

1. Add river reaches along with any junctions. Use the reach drawing tool and double click to end a reach.

Additional Geometry Data

2. Add crosssection names, elevationstation data, n values, bank stations, reach lengths, loss coefficients, etc.

Additional Geometry Data

3. Add road, bridge or culvert data and/or weir or spillway data.

View your cross section data...

Specifying the Flow Data

The most upstream cross section will appear in the first row. Additional flow change locations can be added at other cross sections within the reach.

Boundary Conditions
4 options

Choose a known water surface elevation at d/s boundary.

Choose normal depth by providing the assumed slope of the energy grade line.

Steady Flow Computation

Then simply press compute! Error messages will appear if there is inadequate geometry or flow information.

Viewing Results - Tabular

HEC-RAS provides you with a variety of default tables. You can customize and then save your own table formats!

Viewing Results - Graphical

Note observed water surface profile - used for calibration.

Adding an Observed Water Surface Profile

Select the river station from the pull down menu as illustrated Then click on the Add an Obs. WS Location button. Enter the observed water surface elevation for the station and repeat the process (adding new stations for each water level) until you have a complete observed water surface profile.

Using tabular input for adjusting channel properties.

Highlight a group of cells for the river stations of interest.

Make global changes to those cells (e.g. set them all to the same value).

Introduction to HEC-RAS

Overview of HEC-RAS Interface and output features Modelling Ice Covers

Modelling Ice Covers:

HEC-RAS has the ability to model simple ice covers and ice jams. (only version 3.0.1 can model ice jams). Details of the various ice modelling methods are covered in Chapter 11 of the Hydraulic Reference Manual. Details of how to enter ice data, how to perform ice cover calculations, and how to view ice profile results, are provided in Chapter 6 of the Users Manual.

A simple ice cover is a continuous ice cover of known thickness and roughness.

Ice Jam calcs. solve for accumulation thickness

Clearwater River
(photo courtesy of Larry Garner, Alberta Environment)

Ice Jam Texture

Clearwater River
(photo courtesy of Larry Garner, Alberta Environment)