Self taught HEC-RAS?
Self taught HEC-RAS?
(OP)
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?
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?





RE: Self taught HEC-RAS?
RE: Self taught HEC-RAS?
* 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.
RE: Self taught HEC-RAS?
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
RE: Self taught HEC-RAS?
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
RE: Self taught HEC-RAS?
good luck
RE: Self taught HEC-RAS?
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.