9/12/2014

TESTING AND USE OF HEC-RAS

2D FOR FEMA PMRs
By
Mark Forest, P.E., CFM and Mitch Blum, P.E.

2014 HDR, Inc., all rights reserved.

Overview
Example Simulations
Modeling Demonstration
FEMA Applications
Some of the example graphics provided by
the Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic
Engineering Center

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Overview

What?

2dimensional Hydrodynamic Flow Routing

Within Unsteady Flow HECRAS
Similar to the use of a Storage Area
Linked 1D/2D Capability
Independent 2D Domain
Full Saint Venant or Diffusion Wave
Equation Solution Options
Implicit Finite Volume Solution Algorithm
1D and 2D Coupled Solution Algorithm
Unstructured or Structured Computational
Meshes with Variable Sizes in Domain
Detailed Hydraulic Table Properties for
Computational Cells and Cell Faces
MultiProcessor Based Solution Algorithm
64 Bit and 32 Bit Computational Engines
Source: HEC

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Why?
Need for 1D/2D Integrated

Modeling Tool
o Integration

with HEC-RAS
1D Elements
o Corps Mission Needs
Levee breach mapping
Dam breach mapping
Robust 2D solutions
o Post-Process

w/o
Independent Software
RAS Mapper Compatible

Source: HEC

When?
Alpha Version 1

April 2013
Alpha Version 2 Aug 2013
Beta Version May 2014
Revised Beta June 2014
5.0 Release - Fall 2014

9/12/2014

How is it Different?
1D/2D Integrated Modeling

Tool
o Public

Domain
o No License Fees
o RAS Mapper Compatible
Alternatives
o New

Code v. Existing Codes

Unique Approach

to 2D

Solution

How is it Different?
Computational Mesh with SubGrid Terrain Data
Gridding Process Defines
Hydraulic Property Tables

o
o
o
o

Elev-Wetted Perimeter (Face)

Elev-Area (Face)
Roughness (Face)
Elev-Volume (Cell)

Source: HEC

Cell Face is Detailed Cross

Section
Able to Capture Complex
Hydrodynamics

Source: HEC

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Advantages
Computational Efficiency
Same Detail as Finer Mesh
Models with Larger Grids

Example Run Times:

Example River

Source: HEC

37800 Cells, 25 Foot Grid Size

Diffusion Wave Solution
Simulation Duration: 3 Days
Time step: 3 Seconds
Run Time: 8.5 Hours

Tidal Basin Example

52,919 Cells, 1000 Foot Grid Size (1900 square miles)
Full Momentum, Tidal Boundary
Simulation Duration: 17 Months
Time step: 2 Minutes
Run Time: 16 Hours (laptop) 9 hrs (modeling comp)

Source: HEC

Advantages
Sub-Grid Level Detail
Computationally Efficient
Multi-Processor Solution
64 and 32 Bit Compatible
Validation Process

Source: HEC

Source: HEC

9/12/2014

RAS Mapper
Pre-Processing Capability
o 1D

(in process)
o 2D Mesh Processes
Post-Processing Changes
Will

Source: HEC

Replace GEO-RAS

o GEO-RAS

will no longer be
supported after RAS Mapper
is completed (probably v. 5.1)

Output Limited in Beta, full

function in release version

Source: HEC

Beta Version
Multiple 2D Domains
Much Faster Run Times (2 to 3
times compared to Alpha version)
Connections Include Storage Area
Connections, lateral/inline
structures
Internal Hydraulic Structures
Inside 2D Area (Roads, Levees,
Dams, etc.)
Overflow calculated with 2D
Equations, Not Weir
1D Element Not Required

Source: HEC

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Beta Limitations
1 Mannings n Value per domain
RAS Mapper functions in process
Output limited to Max and Min
Depth Grid, Animation, HDF files
and some grid data.
Interactive Data Access

Depth
Face Velocity
Node Velocity
Water Surface

HEC-RAS 5.0

New Features
o Detailed 2D Output
o Additional Speed Enhancements
o Mesh Generation Tools
o Spatial n

Value
o Additional Sediment Transport
Functions (1D)
o Dam Breach Options
Simplified Physical Breaching
Breach Width and Time Calculator
Post-Processing of Breach Data
o RAS Mapper Evolution to

Replace

GEO-RAS
Source: HEC

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Variable Mannings n
Values

Example Simulations

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Mississippi/Ohio River Flooding

May 2011 Forced Levee Breach

Installed over
100 Temporary
Gages to
Capture the
Event
Used as Model
Validation

Source: HEC

Instantaneous Dam
Breach

Example of the
Stability of
Solution
Full Dynamic
Solution
Complex
Hydrodynamics
Benchmark
data set from
European 2D
model tests

Source: HEC

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Model Development

Model Setup

Terrain Data (VERY IMPORTANT!)

Supplemental GIS Data
HEC-RAS Geometry Setup
o
o
o

RAS Mapper
o
o
o

Terrain Creation and Association

Map Projection
Web Imagery

Input and Boundary Conditions

o
o

2D Mesh
Boundary Conditions
1D Element

Flow Input
Boundary Conditions

Computations

10

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Terrain Data

Floating Point File

o *.FLT
o Binary Floating Point Values

Derived From
o Grid
o TIN
o ASCII
o Point

Resolution
o Relatively high to

capture features

in mesh

GIS Data
Project Extent
Inflow
Computational

Boundaries

11

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HEC-RAS Geometry
2D

Flow Area

o Grid

Cell Size

Boundary

Conditions

o Inflow
o Downstream

Boundary
o Lateral Boundaries
1D

element

RAS Mapper
Terrain Creation and

Association
Multiple Terrain Support
Flexible Tile
Less terrain file size limits
Map Projection
Web Imagery

12

9/12/2014

Input and Boundary

Conditions
2D

Boundary Conditions

o Stage Hydrograph
o Flow

Hydrograph
o Rating Curve
o Normal Depth
Multiple Boundaries

Available
Initial Conditions
o Flow

1D
o Elevation 2D

Computations
Preprocessor
o 2D

Hydraulic Tables

Unsteady

Flow Simulation

o Diffusion

Wave
o Full Momentum
Post Processor
o Depth

Grid Animation

Floodplain
o Max

Mapping

Depth Grid

13

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Diffusion Wave and Full

Momentum Solution
Comparison

FEMA Applications

14

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When is a 2D Model
Applicable?

Bifurcated Flow Patterns

Rigid Boundary
Overland Flow
Complex hydrodynamics

When is a 2D Model Not

Applicable?

Depends on Which 2D Model

Not all 2D Models are Comparable
Hydraulic Structures may be better solved
with 1D

NFIP Regs Developed in a

1D World

Floodways?
Unsteady Solutions?
Downstream Impacts Not Accounted For?

What is Different With Unsteady?

Differences in Hydrologic Analysis Methods
Differences in Model Detail
o
o
o

Cross Section Spacing

Lateral Flows
Internal Boundary Conditions

Model Stabilization

15

9/12/2014

Carson River PMR

6 Communties
CTP Lead by Carson Water
Subconservancy District

Carson River PMR

70 miles
Community Coalition Process Defined a
Regional Floodplain Management Strategy
Lessons Learned from Truckee River
Goal is to Manage the System as a System
Hydrologic Impacts as Important as
Hydraulic Impacts

16

9/12/2014

So What About Floodways

Unsteady Flow
Method 1 Available in RAS, Method 4 is Not
Convert to Steady Flow for Use in Method 4
Refine using Method 1 in Unsteady
Need to Account for DS Flow Changes
Carson Example Flow changes up to 0.4
feet

Need to Ask Ourselves:

If it requires a 2D model, does floodway

concept apply?

Using a 2D Model to
Inform a 1D Model
Sand Creek LOMR

o
o

1D Model Assumptions
o
o
o

Flow breakouts/lateral weirs

Ineffective flow assumptions
Geometry developed from 2 contour data

Model Results and Observations

o
o
o

Results animation*
Right bank flow breakouts and backwater
Velocity time series
Left bank circular flow pattern
Ineffective flow assumptions

Next steps
o

2D model results used for 1D model refinement

17

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QUESTIONS?

18