In the past, hydraulic designers and engineers have used one-dimensional modeling tools for bridge and other hydraulic structure projects. Although improvements have been made throughout the years, this modeling tool has caused inaccurate outcomes.

As part of the fourth and fifth rounds of Every Day Counts, the Federal Highway Administration created Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing to the Next Generation of Engineering (CHANGE) modeling tools to improve the design and communication for a more efficient project delivery.

This two-dimensional (2D) hydraulic modeling resource provides a better understanding of the multifaceted collaboration between waterway environments and transportation assets—therefore resulting in designing safer, more cost-effective, and more resilient structures on waterways.

The benefits of 2D modeling tools include:

• More precise flow condition representation to improve project quality
• Better communication of complex interaction between waterways, transportation infrastructure, and surrounding environments through 3D graphical visualizations
• Improved collaboration to streamline project development

Achieving Success with the National Highway Institute

NHI now offers virtual training of this 2D modeling tool. Designers and engineers can sign up for the Two-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling of Rivers at Highway Encroachments course (FHWA-NHI-135095). Participants will be introduced to comprehensive 2D modeling concepts, as well as extracting hydraulic parameters for bridge scour evaluation use. In this 3-day course, learners will identify the difference between one-dimensional and 2D hydraulic models; use background and surface water modeling systems to run 2D models projects; and visualize, add, and review structures and 2D models.

The following additional online courses present supplementary trainings to further understand, identify, and use 2D modeling technology to improve projects between transportation infrastructure, waterways, and surrounding environments.

SRH-2D Model Data Files, Diagnostics & Verifying 2D Model Results WCT (FHWA-NHI-135095A). This Web-conference training (WCT) introduces data files used for sedimentation and river hydraulics (SRH) 2D input. Participants will learn how to monitor lines in SRH-2D and how to use their output to verify model convergence.

Model Terrain Development with Various Data Sources WCT (FHWA-NHI-135095B). This WCT provides instruction to identify potential data issues, process and effectively define geometry for 2D hydraulic models, and modify geometry methods for simulation and data sourcing.

Course participants should be familiar with the fundamentals of open channel flow hydraulics before taking any instructor-led hydraulics courses. Consequently, NHI offers a free Web-based training, Basic Hydraulic Principles Review (FHWA-NHI-135091), as a prerequisite refresher course.

How to Attend or Host a Course

NHI invites professionals interested in earning continuing education units or professional development hours to visit http://bit.ly/NHIHome and browse the complete digital course catalog, which encompasses more than 400 courses spanning 18 program areas. To sign up for alerts when a course session is scheduled, visit the individual course's description page and select the "Sign Up for Session Alerts" link.

Interested hosts can submit a Host Request Form or find more information about hosting NHI courses by visiting http://bit.ly/NHIHome.

NHI is an approved Accredited Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). As an IACET Accredited Provider, NHI offers continuing education units for its programs that qualify under the American National Standards Institute/IACET Standard.

Dr. Melonie Barrington is an NHI training program manager.

Sabrina Sylvester is a contracted senior marketing specialist for NHI.