Advanced 1D/2D Modeling Using HEC-RAS
Davis, California
Objectives
This is an advanced course in applying computer program HEC-RAS. The
course provides participants with the knowledge to effectively use computer program
HEC-RAS to analyze difficult hydraulic conditions in natural and constructed channels,
utilizing One-dimensional and two-dimensional modeling techniques.
Topics include: Developing terrain models for 2D modeling; Creating a 2D
computational mesh; Boundary conditions for 2D Flow Areas; Hooking up 1D elements
to 2D Flow Areas; Running a combined 1D/2D model; Viewing 1D/2D results with RAS
Mapper; Hydraulic structures inside of 2D areas; and detailed channel and floodplain
modeling with 2D flow areas. Special topics for Dam and Levee breaching, and using
2D modeling for hydraulic structures, will also be included.
Prerequisites
Participants must have a good background in open channel hydraulics and be
familiar with the HEC-RAS software. Basic HEC-RAS input and output data
requirements will not be covered in this class. Nominees must be assigned (a)
Occupational Series: Selected 0800 and 1300; (b) Grade: GS-7 or above. Students
must be experienced engineers who have attended Steady Flow with HEC-RAS
(Course Control No. 114), and have also either attended Unsteady Flow Modeling with
HEC-RAS (Course Control No. 188) or have experience applying HEC-RAS using the
Unsteady Flow modeling components. Participants must be in positions where they are
currently engaged in using HEC-RAS in hydraulic investigations.
1
Monday, Day 1:
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. INTRODUCTIONS, COURSE OVERVIEW, AND PRE-TEST
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. BREAK
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. 1.1 Lecture: OVERVIEW OF 1D/2D UNSTEADY FLOW MODELING
WITH HEC-RAS
Overview of HEC-RAS capabilities for performing combined 1D and 2D unsteady
flow modeling. Example Applications. Guidelines on when to use 2D flow areas
instead of 1D channels/storage areas.
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. BREAK
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. 1.2 Lecture: INTRO TO 1D/2D UNSTEADY FLOW RIVER
HYDRAULICS AND EQUATIONS
Description and comparisons of the Equations (e.g., 1-D, 2-D, Diffusion Wave,
Full Saint Venant etc.). Introduction to the 2D unsteady flow equations and
solution technique. Introduction to the finite-volume methodology. Discussion of
when to use Full Saint Venant equations vs Diffusion Wave.
11:30 - 12:45 p.m. LUNCH
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. 1.3 Lecture: DEVELOPING A TERRAIN DATA SET FOR 1D AND 2D
HYDRODYNAMIC MODELING
This lecture will cover how to obtain terrain data from multiple sources;
combining terrain information; developing channel data; and making a combined
terrain model for use in HEC-RAS.
1:45 – 2:15 p.m. 1.4 Lecture: DEVELOPING A LAND COVER DATA SET AND
ASSOCIATING MANNING’S N VALUES
This lecture will describe how to create a Land Cover data set; associate
Manning’s n values to Land Cover; and override Manning’s n values with 2D
Manning’s n value regions
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. BREAK
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. 1.5 Lecture DEVELOPING A 2D COMPUTATIONAL MESH
This lecture will show students how to create a computational mesh with a user
entered polygon and nominal computational cell size. The lecture will also cover:
break lines; editing the mesh; moving points; deleting points; adding points, etc…
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. 1.6 Workshop: DEVELOPING A TERRAIN MODEL AND 2D
COMPUTATIONAL MESH
This workshop will be used to learn how to develop a terrain model within HEC-
RAS and to develop a good 2D computational mesh that accurately describes
the terrain. Editing and modifying the computational mesh will also be discussed,
as well as following all of the computational rules for developing a mesh.
2
Tuesday, Day 2:
8:00 - 8:30 a.m. REVIEW: Workshop 1.5
Review previous workshop on developing a terrain model and 2D computational
mesh.
8:30 -9:30 a.m. 2.1 Lecture: Boundary and Initial Conditions for 2D Modeling
This lecture will cover all of the available boundary condition types that can be
linked directly to 2D Flow Areas. This lecture will also cover the options for
establishing initial conditions in a 2D Flow Area
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. BREAK
.
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. 2.2 Lecture: Running a Combined 1D/2D Model
Students will learn how to run a model that contains 2D Flow areas in HEC-RAS.
Discussions will include cell size and time step selection; computational options;
output options, performing the computations, and viewing results.
10:30 - 11:30 noon 2.3 Lecture: Viewing 1D and/or 2D Output Using RAS-Mapper
This lecture will cover how to view combined 1D and 2D model output inside of
HEC RAS-Mapper. Discussions will include: displaying depth inundation maps,
velocity maps, depth times velocity, animating results, creating static maps,
plotting hydrographs and profiles.
11:30 - 12:30 p.m. LUNCH
12:30 - 2:45 p.m. 2.4 Workshop: Channel and Floodplain modeling in 2D
In this workshop students will develop a single 2D Flow Area model that includes
a channel and floodplain area. Students will model multiple grid sizes to see the
effects of grid resolution and time step on the answers.
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. REVIEW: Workshop 2.5
3:15 - 3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 2.5 Lecture: Combined 1D River and 2D Floodplain/Levee Areas
Students will learn about modeling channels with 1D river reaches/cross sections
and floodplains/levees with 2D flow areas.
3
Wednesday, Day 3:
8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 3.1 Workshop: Combine 1D River/Floodplain with 2D areas behind
Levees (Levee Breaching)
In this workshop, students will convert a storage area being used to model the
interior area protected by a levee, to a 2D flow Area. The 2D flow area will be
hooked to the 1D reach with Lateral structures, which will also be used to
represent the levee. Levee overtopping and breaching will also be analyzed.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. REVIEW Workshop 3.1
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. BREAK
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 3.2 Lecture: 1D Channels directly into and out of a 2D Flow Areas
In this lecture students will learn about hooking a 1D reach directly into a 2D
Flow area, as well as having a 1D reach come out of a 2D Flow Area. The
concept of 1D to 2D iterations will be introduced.
11:45 - 12:45 p.m. LUNCH
12:45 – 1:15 p.m. 3.3 Lecture: 1D/2D Boundary and Initial Conditions
This lecture will cover how to establish boundary and initial conditions for models
that contain 1D elements connected to 2D flow areas.
1:15 – 3:00 p.m. 3.4 Workshop: 1D River directly into 2D Flow Area
In this workshop, students will put together a model that has a 1D river and
floodplain that goes into a wide flat area in which water can go in multiple
directions (this area will be modeled with a 2D flow area).
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. REVIEW Workshop 3.3
3:30 - 3:45 p.m. BREAK
3:45 - 4:45 p.m. 3.5 Lecture: Dambreak Analysis with Combined 1D and 2D
In this lecture, students will learn all the ways that 2D flow Areas can be used
with 1D reaches and storage areas for performing Dambreak analyses. Students
will also learn how to use the hydraulic connection feature for modeling the dam,
hydraulic outlets, and the dam breach.
4
Thursday, Day 4:
8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 4.1 Workshop: Dam Break Analyses with 1D and 2D
Students will develop a Dam Break model from scratch using 1D and 2D flow
elements.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. REVIEW Workshop 4.1
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. BREAK
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 4.2 Lecture: Advanced Topics for Combined 1D/2D Modeling
This lecture will predominantly discuss how to use Hydraulic structures inside of
a 2D flow Areas. Additional discussions will include: 2D flow Areas vs. storage
areas, and time slicing.
11:45 - 12:45 p.m. LUNCH
12:45 - 2:45 p.m. 4.3 Workshop: 2D Flow Areas with Internal Hydraulic Structures
In this workshop, students will develop a model with hydraulic structures inside of
a 2D Flow Area in order to more accurately represent the hydraulic structure.
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. REVIEW Workshop 4.3
3:15 - 3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 4.4 Lecture: Detailed modeling with 2D Flow Areas
This lecture will cover how to use the new 2D Flow Area capability to perform
very detailed multi-dimensional hydraulic analyses. Students will learn how to
set up a model to get detailed water surfaces and velocities. Several specific
example applications will be covered.
5
Friday, Day 5:
8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 5.1 Workshop: Detailed 2D Bridge Analysis
In this workshop students will develop a detailed 2D Bridge model in order to
evaluate water surface elevations and velocities in detail.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. REVIEW Workshop 5.1
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. POST TEST, COURSE CRITIQUE, AND CLOSING REMARKS
