Two-Dimensional Finite-Element Hydraulic Modeling of Bridge Crossings: Research Report

Details

• Creators:
  Lee, J.K. ; Froehlich, D.C.
• Corporate Creators:
  Geological Survey (U.S.). Water Resources Division
• Contributors:
  Trent, R.E.
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Bridges Finite Element Method Floods Geology Highways Hydrology Mathematical Models
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA-RD-88-146
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Abstract:
  This report presents the results of a 6-year project, conducted by the US Geological Survey in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to develop an accurate, efficient, easy-to-use finite-element surface-water flow model (FESWMS-2DH) for use in analyzing backwater and flow distribution at highway crossings of rivers and flood plains. When lateral variations in water-surface elevation and flow distribution are significant, a two-dimensional approach has advantages over a one-dimensional approach. The finite-element method is ideally suited to modeling two-dimensional flow over complex topography with spatially variable roughness and allows the user great flexibility in defining flow boundaries, channels, and embankments. A large number of alternative flow-equation formulations, interpolation and weighting functions, and schemes for solving the large systems of algebraic equations that arise in applying the finite-element method were tested during the project. Features added to FESWMS-2DH include weir flow (roadway overtopping), culvert flow, linear variation of Manning's n with depth, simple and accurate handling of lateral boundaries, automatic network generation and refinement, and extensive error checking. Sections of the report are devoted to the application of FESWMS-2DH to data from the Geological Survey's Flood Plain Simulation Facility, the use and calibration of FESWMS-2DH, and the use of the model by the highway industry
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  DTFH61-80-Y-3011
• Collection(s):
  Federal Highway Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:87447c00bba7982c276f1df508251aa95a2f3a6956420f12c5be128742f7c587b6a0d7071c4c6b45c6174f2aef701db9f021d253dd3b8888461a2e4aa65c2f64
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68380/dot_68380_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.64 MB ]