Print this page Introduction to Highway Hydraulics
Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.
Course Outline
This course will cover the hydraulic and hydrologic design techniques for small watersheds that are routinely encountered in highway drainage. A broad overview of all components of highway drainage will be covered.
This 8 hour course will cover the hydraulic and hydrologic design techniques for small watersheds that are routinely encountered in highway drainage. Subjects such as rainfall intensity, overland flow, open-channel flow, and culvert hydraulics will be covered. Other subjects will be introduced such as, energy dissipation, construction and erosion control.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
Learning
Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:
- The purpose of highway hydraulic structures;
- The various categories of highway drainage facilities;
- How to select the design frequency to design drainage structures;
- How to use the rational method;
- How to determine the rational “c” factor;
- The classifications of flow;
- How the Froude number represents supercritical and subcritical flow;
- How to determine concentrated flow;
- The average velocity of shallow concentrated flow;
- How to determine discharge through a pipe;
- How to determine the amount of flow over an inundated roadway;
- The predominant material in sand-bed streams;
- How to determine the hydraulic radius of a circular pipe;
- How to determine shear stress along a stream channel;
- How to control subcritical flow;
- How to determine specific energy;
- What situations causes hydraulic jumps;
- Factors that determine the capacity of a channel’;
- The most hydraulically efficient shape of a channel;
- Various types of flexible and rigid channel lining;
- How to determine the flow in a concrete gutter;
- How to determine the efficiency of curb inlets catch basins;
- How to determine headwater and tailwater; and
- How the longitudinal slope affects the water spread on the pavement.
Intended Audience and Benefit
This is intended for highway engineers, drainage engineers, project managers, environmental engineers, any persons working in the transportation engineering field or anyone with an interest in the exciting subject of highway hydraulics.
Course Introduction
The utilization of hydraulics is essential to design safe, efficient and economical highways. Highway hydraulic structures convey water from the highway right-of-way. Drainage appurtenances that are placed along the highway include culverts, inlets, catch basins, closed conduit systems, ditches and gutters.
Course Content
This course will cover the hydraulic and hydrologic design techniques for small watersheds that are routinely encountered in highway drainage. Subjects such as rainfall intensity, overland flow, open-channel flow, and culvert hydraulics will be covered. Other subjects will be introduced such as, energy dissipation, construction and erosion control.
Introduction to Highway Hydraulics
http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/FHWA/010587.pdf
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Course Summary
The information presented in this course provides a broad overview of the components of highway hydraulics. A brief discussion of hydrology will also be covered.
Using good engineering judgment is always paramount in any situation. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course will aid the reader in the safe and efficient design of highways.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
http://www.noaa.gov/
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
