Advanced HEC-RAS

Features

What we will cover

Channel Modification
Bridge Design
Scour at Bridges

Channel modification
The Channel Modification option allows trapezoidal cuts and
fills into the existing geometry
Cuts can be place at any location in the cross section
Channel Modification - Example 16

Plan:

1) Exist Cond

2) Modified

RS = 12 Upstream Boundary - XSec 12

1830

Lege nd
WS 100 yr - Exist Cond

1825

WS 100 yr - Modified
Ground - Modified

Elevation (ft)

1820

Bank Sta - Modif ied

Ground - Exist Cond

1815

Bank Sta - Exist Cond

1810

1805

1800

200

400

600
Station (ft)

800

1000

1200

Channel modification analysis

General Modeling Guidelines
First develop a hydraulic model of the existing river
reach containing the channel modification area
This model should include several cross sections
downstream from the study reach, such that the
downstream boundary condition does not affect the
hydraulic results inside the channel modification
region.
The model should also include several cross sections
upstream of the study reach, in order to evaluate the
effects of the channel modification on the water
surface profile upstream.

Channel Modification option

The Channel Modification option allows trapezoidal
cuts and fills into the existing geometry.
Once the user has performed all of the desired
channel modifications, then the modified geometry
data is saved into a new geometry file.
The user can then create a new plan, which contains
the modified geometry and the original flow data that
was used under the existing conditions plan
Computations can then be performed for the modified
condition, and the user can compare the water surface
profiles for both existing and modified conditions.

Channel modification option (1)

Channel modification option allows for:
Multiple trapezoidal cuts (up to three)
Independent specification of left and right trapezoidal
side slopes
Ability to change the Mannings n value for the
trapezoidal cut
Separate bottom widths for each trapezoidal cut
Ability to set new channel reach lengths
Multiple ways of locating the main channel centerline

Channel modification option (2)

Channel modification option also allows for:
User can explicitly define the elevation of the new
channel invert, or it can be based on the original
channel invert, or it can be based on projecting a
slope from a downstream cross section or an
upstream cross section
The centerline of the trapezoidal cut can be entered
directly, or it can be located midway between the
original main channel bank stations
Option to fill the existing channel before performing
cuts
Cut and fill areas and volumes are computed

Channel modified window

Single cross section

Channel Modif ication - Example 16

Plan:

1) Exist Cond

2) Modified

RS = 12 Upstream Boundary - XSec 12

1830

Legend
WS 100 yr - Exist Cond

1825

WS 100 yr - Modified
Ground - Modified

Elevation (ft)

1820

Bank Sta - Modified

Ground - Exist Cond

1815

Bank Sta - Exist Cond

1810

1805

1800

200

400

600
Station (ft)

800

1000

1200

Comparison of plans
Channel Modification - Example 16

Plan:

1) Exist Cond

4/22/2004

2) Modified

3/26/2002

Critical Cr. Upper Reach

1820

Legend
WS 100 yr - Exist Cond

1810

WS 100 yr - Modified
Ground

1800

Ground

Elevation (ft)

1790

1780

1770

1760

1750

1740

1000

2000

3000
Main Channel Distance (ft)

4000

5000

6000

X-Y-Z perspective plot

nnel Modif ication - Example 16

Plan:

1) Exist Cond

4/22/2004

2) Modif ied

3/26/2002
Legend

12

WS 100 y r - Exist Cond

WS 100 y r - Modif ied

11

Ground
Bank Sta

10
9

Profile Output Table

Bridge Design
The bridge design editor allows the user to enter or
modify bridge data quickly and conveniently.

Bridge Design
Steps for putting together a bridge with this editor:
1. From the Geometric Data window, open the
Bridge/Culvert data editor. Select the River and Reach in
which you would like to place the bridge.
2. Go to the Options menu and select Add a Bridge
and/or Culvert from the list. An input box will appear
prompting you to enter a river station identifier for the
new bridge.
3. Open the Bridge Design editor by pressing the Bridge
Design button on the lower left side of the Bridge/Culvert
Data editor.
4. Enter the required data for the bridge deck/roadway,
sloping abutments (optional), and piers (optional).

Bridge Design Editor

The bridge design editor allows the user to enter or
modify bridge data quickly and conveniently.
With this editor the user can enter the deck/roadway
data, sloping abutments, and pier information.

Bridge Design Editor

Building the bridge

The user only has to enter a minimal amount of

information to build or edit the bridge.
To create the bridge deck/roadway, the user must
enter:
1. a high chord elevation (top of road), and
2. a low chord elevation (maximum elevation inside
of the bridge opening).
The user enters the number of piers, the upstream
and downstream stationing of the left most pier, the
spacing between the centerline of the piers, and the
width of the piers.

Bridge Design Editor

The bridge data can be changed at any time by either
going back into the Bridge Design editor and entering
new values
You can also go to the more detailed editors for the
bridge deck/roadway, sloping abutments, and piers
and change data

Bridge design example

Elevation (ft)

90

RS=9.65

Upstream (Bridge)
Le ge nd

85

Ground

80

Bank Sta

75
70
65
100

Elevation (ft)

90

150

200

RS=9.65

250

300

350

400

Dow nstream (Bridge)

85
80
75
70
65
100

150

200

250

300

Station (f t)

350

400

Computing Scour at Bridges

Bridge Scour RS = 10.36

25

Le ge nd
WS PF 1

20

Ground
Inef f
Bank Sta

15

E le v a tio n ( f t)

Contr Scour
Total Scour

10

-5

-10

-15

500

1000

1500
Station (f t)

2000

2500

3000

Computing Scour at Bridges

The computation of scour at bridges within HEC-RAS
is based upon the methods outlined in Hydraulic
Engineering Circular No. 18 (FHWA, 2001).
Before performing a scour analysis with the HEC-RAS
software, the engineer should thoroughly review the
procedures outlined in the Hydraulic Engineering
Circular No. 18 (HEC 18) report.
This section presents the data input required for
computing contraction scour and local scour at piers
and abutments.
For information on the bridge scour equations, see
Chapter 10 of the HEC-RAS Hydraulic Reference
Manual.

General Modeling Guidelines

In order to perform a bridge scour analysis, the user
must first develop a hydraulic model of the river reach
containing the bridge to be analyzed.
The model should include several cross sections
downstream from the bridge (downstream boundary
conditions do not affect bridge hydraulic results ).
The model should also include several cross sections
upstream of the bridge, in order to evaluate the long
term effects of the bridge on the water surface profile
upstream.

Flow distribution
The flow distribution option in HEC-RAS should be
turned on
This option allows for additional output showing the
distribution of flow for multiple subdivisions of the left
and right overbanks, as well as the main channel
The output of the flow distribution option includes the
following items for each flow slice: percentage of flow;
flow area; wetted perimeter; conveyance; hydraulic
depth; and average velocity
The user must request the flow distribution output for
the cross sections inside the bridge, the cross section
just upstream of the bridge, and the approach section

Bridge scour evaluation

After performing the water surface profile calculations

for the design events and computing the flow
distribution output, the bridge scour can then be
evaluated.
The total scour at a highway crossing is comprised of
three components:
1. long-term aggradation and degradation
2. contraction scour
3. local scour at piers and abutments

Entering Bridge Scour Data

The bridge scour computations are performed by opening
the Hydraulic Design Functions window and selecting
the Scour at Bridges function.

Bridge Scour Data

Once this option is selected the program will
automatically go to the output file and get the
computed output for the approach section, the section
just upstream of the bridge, and the sections inside of
the bridge
The user is required to enter only a minimal amount of
input and the computations can be performed.
If the user does not agree with any of the data that the
program has selected from the output file, the user
can override it by entering their own values

Bridge/Culvert Data Editor

Set Locations for Flow Distribution

Bridge Scour Editor

Contraction Scour
For contraction scour
analysis the user must
provide:
D50 for the bed material
Water temperature
The equation to be used
RAS provides the
additional information
(EG slope, velocity, etc.)

Pier Scour

Abutment Scour

Total Bridge Scour

The total scour is a combination of the three types of
scour at each location:
Contraction scour
Pier scour
Abutment scour

Summary Table

Results
The graphic and the tabular results can be sent
directly to the default printer
They also can be sent to the Windows Clipboard in
order to be pasted into a report.
A detailed report can be generated, which shows all of
the input data, computations, and final results.

Plot with Total Scour

Bridge Scour RS = 10.36

25

Le ge nd
WS PF 1

20

Ground
Inef f
Bank Sta

15

E le v a t io n ( f t )

Contr Sc our
Total Sc our

10

-5

-10

-15

500

1000

1500
Station (f t)

2000

2500

3000

Saving Results
The bridge scour input data can be saved by selecting
Save Hydraulic Design Data As from the File menu
of the Hydraulic Design Function window.
The user is required to enter a title for the data.
The computed bridge scour results are never saved to
the hard disk.
The computations can be performed in a fraction of a
second by simply pressing the compute button.
Therefore, when the Hydraulic Design Function
window is closed, and later re-opened, the user must
press the compute button to get the results.