1

Introduction to
Introduction to
HEC
HEC
-
-
RAS Bridge Hydraulics
RAS Bridge Hydraulics
Web Seminar
Presented by Matthew Zeve, P.E., CFM
AECOM
Houston, TX
matthew.zeve@aecom.com
2
References
HEC-RAS Hydraulic Reference Manual
(HRM) Version 4.0 March 2008
3
Introduction
Agenda
Cross section layout
Low flows
High flows
Selecting a low flow method
Selecting a high flow method
Examples in the software
4
Cross Section Layout
1) Downstream
where flow is fully
expanded
2) Downstream of
bridge 5-10 ft; valley
section
3) Upstream of
bridge 5-10 ft; valley
section
4) Upstream before
contraction begins
5
Bridge Flow Types
Low Flow Computations
Energy losses due to friction and
expansion/contraction
Momentum based method
Yarnell equation
WSPRO contracted opening method
6
Bridge Flow Types
High Flow Computations
Energy losses
Pressure flow: orifice or sluice gate
Weir flow
Combinations: low and weir; pressure and
weir
7
Bridge Hydraulics Low Flow
Low flow exists when flow through the
bridge does NOT touch the low chord
Open channel flow
8
Low Flow Classifications
Class A: Subcritical flow throughout bridge
Class B: Flow changes from subcritical to
supercritical or vice versa through the
bridge
Class C: Flow is supercritical throughout
the bridge
9
Class A Low Flow
Subcritical flow throughout bridge
Four methods available to calculate energy
losses through bridge structure:
Energy Equation (standard step method)
Momentum Balance
Yarnell Equation
FHWA WSPRO method
10
Class A Low Flow
11
Class A Low Flow Method 1:
Energy Equation Method
Treats bridge in the same manner as
natural cross sections with area below
bridge as an obstruction
Standard step throughout the bridge
Standard Step From Cross Section 2 to BD
Standard Step From Cross Section BD to BU
Standard Step From Cross Section BU to 3
NO Weir or Pressure Flow Calculations
Friction losses (Mannings n values)
Contraction/expansion losses
12
Bridge Hydraulics Low Flow
13
Class A Low Flow Method 2:
Momentum Balance Method
Applies momentum balance
From cross section 2 to BD
From cross section BD to BU
From cross section BU to 3
Requires a drag coefficient (C
D
) for the
force on the piers
May include or exclude weight and
friction forces from momentum
equations
If both are excluded, momentum applied
between 2 and 3
14
Class A Low Flow Method 2:
Momentum Balance Method -- C
D
15
Class A Low Flow Method 2:
Momentum Balance - Force Components
x f
P
P
BD
BD BD
BD
BD
W F Y A
gA
Q
Y A
gA
Q
Y A
BD
BD
+ + = +
2
2
2 2
2 2
2
| |
16
( )
( )
H K K
V
g
3 2
4
2
2 10 06 15
2
>
= + + e o o .
Class A Low Flow Method 3:
Yarnell Equation
Empirical equation
Primarily accounts for pier losses
K: Yarnells pier shape coefficient
Omega: Ratio of velocity head to depth
at cross section 2
Alpha: Fraction of area obstructed by
piers
17
Class A Low Flow Method 3:
Yarnells Pier Coefficient -- K
18
Class A Low Flow Method 4:
FHWA WSPRO Method
Adopted from WSPRO program
Consists of a series of energy loss
equations
Various equations found in Chapter 5 of
HRM
Appendix D contains further charts and
data used in WSPRO equations
19
Class A Low Flow Method 4:
FHWA WSPRO Method Input
20
Class B Low Flow
Occurs when profile passes through critical
depth within the bridge constriction
Momentum equation used to calculate
WSEL
If momentum equation does not balance,
HEC-RAS defaults to energy equation
21
Class B Low Flow
Cannot use Yarnell or WSPRO methods
Modeler should run the computations in the
Mixed Flow regime
22
Class C Low Flow
Flow is completely supercritical through the
bridge
Momentum or energy equation used to
calculate WSEL
23
Bridge Hydraulics High Flow
High flow computations
Flow that comes into contact with the maximum
low chord of the bridge deck
Energy equation
Separate hydraulic equations for pressure
and/or weir flow
24
Bridge Hydraulics High Flow Methods
25
High Flow Method 1:
Energy Equation
Energy Equation (Standard Step Method)
Standard Step From Cross Section 2 to BD
Standard Step From Cross Section BD to BU
Standard Step From Cross Section BU to 3
NO Weir or Pressure Flow Calculations
26
High Flow Method 2:
Pressure and/or Weir Flow Methods
May be triggered by water surface or
energy grade line (default)
Coefficients for both types required
Bridge opening may be completely filled --
Orifice flow
Only upstream opening is filled -- Sluice gate
flow
27
High Flow Method 2
Pressure Flow Conditions:
Sluice Gate Flow or Submerged Inlet
28
Submerged Inlet (Sluice Gate)
2 / 1
2
3 3
3
2 2
2
(

+ =
g
V a Z
Y g A C Q
BU d
29
High Flow Method 2
Pressure Flow Conditions:
Orifice Flow or Submerged Inlet and Outlet
30
Submerged Inlet and Outlet (Orifice)
gH CA Q 2 =
Typical value for C is 0.8
31
High Flow Method 2:
Pressure and Weir Flow
or Combination Flow
32
Bridge Hydraulics Weir Flow
Flow over bridge deck and/or roadway
Weir coefficient required
33
Bridge Hydraulics Combination Flow
Combination of low flow or pressure flow
with weir flow
HEC-RAS iterates to determine amount
of each type of flow
34
High Flow
Submergence Issues
Submergence: Ratio of depth of water
above the minimum weir elevation on the
downstream side to height of the EGL
above the minimum weir elevation on the
upstream side
Submergence correction
Ogee Spillway
Trapezoidal Embankment (Default)
Automatic change to friction-loss
equations at high submergence
35
Submergence Correction
Default value is switch to energy
equation at 95% submergence
36
Submergence Correction
37
Low Flows
Choosing the Correct Method
Energy and momentum are the most
physically based
Applicable to widest range of bridge
situations
Energy method does not account for
losses associated with the shape of the
piers or abutments
Momentum method has a tough time with
natural cross sections
38
Low Flows
Choosing the Correct Method
WSPRO was developed for bridge
crossings that constrict wide floodplains
with heavily vegetated overbanks
Yarnell method should be used for
channels with uniform section through
bridge, no overbank areas, and where
piers are the primary obstruction to flow
39
Low Flows
Choosing the Correct Method
WSPRO and Yarnell are for subcritical
flow only (Class A flow)
Where piers are the major obstruction to
flow, the momentum and Yarnell
methods are the most applicable
40
Low Flows
Choosing the Correct Method
Where pier and friction losses are both
predominant, the momentum method is
the most applicable
More information is available on pages 5-
26 and 5-27 in Hydraulic Reference
Manual
41
High Flows
Choosing the Correct Method
When the bridge deck is a small
obstruction to the flow, and the bridge
opening is not acting like a pressurized
orifice, the energy method should be
used.
42
3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
W100-00-00
River =W100-00-00 Reach =Reach - 1 RS =110837.8 BR MILAM
Station (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 0.2%
WS 1%
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.2 .1 .04 .
1
2
.2
43
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =BelowPrefumo RS =2735 BR San Luis Bay Dr.
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.09 .055 .09 .06 .035 .06
0 50 100 150 200 250
0
5
10
15
20
25
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =BelowPrefumo RS =2735 BR San Luis Bay Dr.
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.09 .045 .09 .06
44
1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
2
4
6
8
10
12
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Main Channel Distance (m)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
LOB
ROB
2
.
.
.
2
1
2
0
.
8
9
.
.
.
2
2
3
4
.
5
1
.
.
.
2
3
7
2
.
3
5
.
.
.
2
4
6
0
.
0
7
5
2
5
6
1
.
8
8
8
2
6
5
6
.
6
8
3
2
7
2
3
.
5
0
4
2
8
2
2
.
1
9
6
2
9
1
1
.
4
8
9
3
0
4
3
.
4
8
2
3
1
3
1
.
9
8
3
3
2
5
9
.
4
2
7
3
3
4
2
.
2
2
1
3
4
1
3
.
3
4
3
3
4
9
9
.
3
9
5
3
6
0
1
.
9
6
2
3
7
6
7
.
8
4
9
SLO Creek Below Prefumo
45
Bridge Hydraulics High Flows
When the bridge deck and road
embankment are a large obstruction to
the flow, and a backwater is created due
to the constriction of the flow, the
pressure and weir method should be
used.
46
4200 4400 4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600 5800 6000 6200
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
I-100-00 Vince Bayou
River =I100-00-00 Reach =I100-00-00 RS =4749 BR Bridge at Richey Road
Station (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 0.2%
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.15 .03 .15
47
2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
0
5
10
15
I-100-00 Vince Bayou
Main Channel Distance (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 0.2%
WS 1%
WS 2%
WS 10%
Ground
I100-00-00 I100-00-00
48
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
94
96
98
100
102
104
106
108
110
112
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =Above Madonna Sp RS =20687 Culv
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Bank Sta
.1 .055 .1 .035
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
92
94
96
98
100
102
104
106
108
110
112
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =Above Madonna Sp RS =20687 Culv
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.035 .055 .035 .1
49
19600 19800 20000 20200 20400 20600 20800 21000
90
95
100
105
110
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Main Channel Distance (m)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
LOB
ROB
2
.
.
.
2
0
2
.
.
.
2
0
2
.
.
.
2
0
3
2
2
.
1
.
.
.
2
0
4
1
3
.
1
7
2
0
5
3
6
.
2
7
2
0
6
2
7
.
3
0
2
0
6
8
7
2
0
7
3
4
.
6
8
2
0
7
9
9
.
3
0
SLO Creek Above Madonna Sp
50
20734.68
20627.30
20536.27
20413.17
20322.14
20271.63
20150.82
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Legend
WS Questa 50
WS Questa100
Ground
Bank Sta
Ineff
Levee
51
Bridge Hydraulics High Flows
When the bridge and/or road
embankment is overtopped, and the
water going over the top of the bridge is
not highly submerged by the
downstream tailwater, the pressure and
weir method should be used.
52
3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
W100-00-00
River =W100-00-00 Reach =Reach - 1 RS =114070.4 BR N. CAPITAL STREET
Station (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 1%
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.2 .
0
7
.04 .07 .2
53
0 100 200 300 400 500
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =BelowPrefumo RS =4590 BR Highway 101 near Avila
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.035 .1 .065 .1 .035 .025 .06
0 100 200 300 400 500
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =BelowPrefumo RS =4590 BR Highway 101 near Avila
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.07 .1 .09 .065 .09 .06
54
3500 4000 4500 5000 5500
4
6
8
10
12
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Main Channel Distance (m)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
LOB
ROB
3
7
6
7
.
8
4
9
3
8
6
7
.
2
7
4
3
9
7
4
.
5
5
2
4
0
5
7
.
1
5
3
4
1
2
4
.
6
0
6
4
2
5
0
.
5
9
9
4
3
2
3
.
3
7
8
4
3
6
4
4
4
5
5
.
9
3
1
4
5
5
4
.
2
4
8
4
5
9
0
4
7
0
4
.
1
6
1
4
7
9
4
.
0
2
4
4
9
2
8
.
5
2
3
5
0
5
6
.
8
3
9
5
2
0
7
.
7
3
7
5
3
2
7
.
1
0
2
5
4
4
8
.
1
8
0
5
5
6
5
.
0
5
2
5
6
6
2
.
9
4
2
SLO Creek Below Prefumo
55
Bridge Hydraulics Perched Bridges
A perched bridge has the road at
floodplain level, but the bridge rises
above the floodplain. This type of bridge
should usually be modeled using the
energy equation, especially when a large
percentage of the total flow is in the
overbank area.
56
-2000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
K100-00-00 with Appeals
River =K100-00-00 Reach =Reach - 1 RS =151185 BR HUFFMEISTER
Station (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 0.2%
WS 1%
WS 2%
WS 10%
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.99 .12 .14 .
0
6
.12 .99
57
2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
C100-00-00
River =C100-00-00 Reach =Reach - 1 RS =59389.2 BR AIRPORT ROAD
Station (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 0.2%
WS 1%
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.1 .
0
3
5
.1 .14
58
Pressure/Weir Energy
59
Bridge Hydraulics High Flows
When the bridge is highly submerged,
and flow over the road is not acting like
weir flow, the energy-based method
should be used.
60
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
D100 Brays Bayou
River =D100-00-00 Reach =Reach0 RS =93199 BR Bob White Pedestrian Bridge
Station (ft)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
ft)
Legend
WS 1 %
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.12 .
0
3
.
0
1
5
.
0
3
.12
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
D100 Brays Bayou
River =D100-00-00 Reach =Reach0 RS =93199 BR Bob White Pedestrian Bridge
Station (ft)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
ft)
Legend
WS 1 %
Ground
Ineff
Bank Sta
.12 .
0
3
.
0
1
5
.
0
3
.12
61
90000 92000 94000 96000 98000
20
30
40
50
60
70
D100 Brays Bayou
Main Channel Distance (ft)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
f
t
)
Legend
WS 1 %
Ground
8
9
8
7
1
9
0
0
3
5
9
0
3
0
0
9
1
1
5
8
9
1
5
8
1
9
1
8
0
7
9
1
8
8
5
9
2
1
8
7
9
2
9
5
6
9
3
1
9
2
9
3
3
9
7
9
3
8
4
6
9
4
3
1
2
9
4
8
9
3
9
5
0
5
8
9
5
3
2
1
9
6
4
7
2
9
7
0
6
3
9
7
3
8
9
9
7
5
8
8
9
7
8
5
7
9
8
9
1
3
D100-00-00 Reach0
62
0 100 200 300 400
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =BelowPrefumo RS =7026 BR 3rd Private Bridge belowHiguera
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Bank Sta
.
0
7
.035 .1 .07 .035 .025 .035 .07
0 100 200 300 400 500
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =BelowPrefumo RS =7026 BR 3rd Private Bridge belowHiguera
Station (m)
E
le
v
a
tio
n
(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Bank Sta
.07 .035 .1 .07 .035 .025 .035 .07
63
6600 6800 7000 7200 7400
10
12
14
16
18
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Main Channel Distance (m)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
LOB
ROB
6
6
3
3
.
2
5
5
6
7
5
4
.
8
3
4
6
8
7
8
.
6
6
7
6
9
8
5
.
8
3
4
7
0
1
3
.
2
6
7
7
0
2
6
7
0
4
7
.
0
0
2
7
1
7
5
.
5
4
6
7
2
9
5
.
8
8
9
7
4
2
1
.
1
3
9
7
5
3
4
.
3
8
1
SLO Creek Below Prefumo
64
7030.551
7013.267
6985.834
6878.667
6754.834
6633.255
6503.192
6276.062
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Legend
WS Questa 50
WS Questa100
Ground
Bank Sta
Ineff
Levee
65
Discussion Bridges
66
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =Below Prefumo RS =11209 BR Abandoned South Higuera Bridge
Station (m)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Bank Sta
.035 .065 .
1
.035
67
12009.34
11896.78
11840.56
11764.71
11646.56
11529.10
11282.66
11231.04
11178.20
11120.94
11037.10
10900.37
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/4/2006
Legend
WS Questa 25
Ground
Bank Sta
Ineff
Levee
68
0 100 200 300 400 500
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
slo and prefumo creeks v1.2 Plan: Existing Conditions 080202 10/5/2006
River =SLO Creek Reach =Below Prefumo RS =4364 BR Ontario Road
Station (m)
E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Legend
WS Questa100
WS Questa 50
Ground
Bank Sta
.
0
7
.1 .09 .035 .09 .065 .09 .06
69
Pressure/Weir Energy
70
Questions?
AECOM
Houston, TX
matthew.zeve@aecom.com