Self taught HEC-RAS? 4

[proletariat]

I've never used hecras, but I think it is an essential skill for our line of work. (Before you jump down my throat, I've only changed over from construction in the past year.5)

I've visited the hec ras site and downloaded the latest version on my home computer. There are three pubs that download w/ the software. The user guide, hydraulic guide, and applications guide are the three volumes.

Can anyone give me tips for a logical way to approach teaching myself hecras at home?

 

[gbam]

Sure, I would start fishing around looking at the examples and searching through the help files etc.... I am self taught as well. Took about three days off & on (hour or so each day) to get familiar enough to manualy code an old hec2 run. It is not that difficult. I have tried to do the same with hms but wow. that will take longer!!

 

[francesca]

I found that reading the Hydraulic Reference Manual was the most useful way to learn the software. I also found a sharp learning curve from model to model. My fourth HEC-RAS model was an (upstream) extension of my first and there are half a dozen things I would do differently!

* Interpolate cross-sections where appropriate (saves time).
* Read and re-read the bridge/culvert section.
* Make sure you understand how to draw cross-sections.
* Make sure you understand where the water will go in a flood before you draw your cross-sections and station your streams.
* The above applies particularly to junctions - make sure you understand the junction width stuff.
* Make sure you understand ineffective flow areas and how to use them.
* Use the long-section profile to check your bottom slope.
* Use the table output to do sense-checks (does my HGL match my bottom slope? are my velocities appropriate?) and don't panic if your water surface elevations are "too high" until after you've performed these sense checks.

HEC-RAS is very easy when you understand the hydraulics behind it. One thing it took me months of frustration to grasp was to double-click when you're done drawing a reach! I set up my second and third model by editing the text files!

Editing the text files is very easy, by the way, and can save time. Also, the downstream reach lengths table is very useful and much easier for entering the reach lengths than having to mess with the cross-section editor.

 

[LHA]

francesca:
Good tip on using the .txt files instead of the database table. I've never given that a thought, but have always wrestled with moving around database cells, in HEC and other software.

I assume you can't edit the final report, so how do you access the input as .txt? Do you associate notepad to open the geo files, then open in Explorer?

Also, does this work with other software's databases, like HydroCAD or VTPSUHM?

Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve

 

[francesca]

Steve,

I open them in notepad or wordpad. I added notepad to my "send to" menu, but I've also associated the files with wordpad.

I haven't used HydroCAD or VTPSUHM so I can't say if it'll work.

Francesca

 

[RWF7437]

All good advice but, if you get an opportunity to get formal training, take advantage of it. You will learn tricks and shortcuts and gain a much better understanding of the program. You will also learn a lot about how FEMA works and ways to get through their system.

good luck

 

[psmart]

lha,

Yes, HydroCAD project files (.hcp extension) are plain text files that you can edit directly. Just right-click the file and select Edit. If you edit an existing project file you will find that most of the content is self-explanatory. Of course, most changes are easier to make by opening the file in HydroCAD, but a direct edit can be useful in certain situations.