Using HEC-RAS to Compute Scour at Bridges

by Gary W. Brunner,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: North American Water and Environment Congress & Destructive Water

Abstract:

HEC-RAS (River Analysis System) is an integrated system of software, designed for interactive use in a multi-tasking environment. The system is comprised of a graphical user interface (GUI), separate hydraulic analysis components, data storage and management capabilities, graphical and tabular output, and reporting facilities. HEC-RAS (HEC, 1996) is the successor to the current steady-flow FIEC-2 (HEC, 1991) Water Surface Profiles Program. The bridge scour equations, as outlined in HEC No.18 (FHWA, 1996), have been added to HEC-RAS as a separate set of hydraulic design routines. The user performs the hydraulic analysis first. During the computations the user must request detailed flow distribution output at the cross section just upstream of the bridge and at the approach section. Once the water surface profiles have been computed, bridge scour can be calculated at any or all of the bridges for each of the profiles. Tabular and graphical output is available for viewing the results of the scour calculations.

Subject Headings: Scour | Hydraulic design | Hydraulic models | Bridges | Graphic methods | Bridge design | Water surface profiles

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