In this study, we modeled River Serio (Italy) for the assessment of Flood Risk using different modelling software. River Serio is an Italian river that flows across Lombardy region, crossing the provinces of Bergamo and Cremona. It is 125 Kms long and flows into Adda at Bocca di Serio south of Crema. Using software like HEC-RAS and River 2D to model the river section at ordinary and peak flows to analyse the possibilities of Flood. Using Analytical Calculations assessed Sediments carried away from Upstream to Downstream. By this analysis able to figure our the area going to be flooded and also the transport capacity of the sediments and the amount of sediments that can be carried by the flood water. Evaluated the Results and obtained some of the precautionary measures to protect the area from Flood. Analysis were made for one dimensional model for ordinary and peak discharge on steady model and Unsteady flow using 200 years hydro-graph. Also two dimensional analysis was made for steady flow at peak discharge. The results of both the models are compared to analyse the situation of the water profile and made related observations. Finally we calculated the sediments that gets transported in the river serio & the discharge by which the sediments gets transported. Looking at the entire scenario of different models and performing sensitive analysis to understand the pattern of the flood that can take place at different intensity levels.
Software Used: HEC-RAS for 1 Dimensional Modelling, River-2D for 2 Dimensional Modelling.
Flood Risk Analysis for River Serio, Italy by using HECRAS & River 2D
1. Flood Hydraulics project for the course Flood
Risk Evaluation
Prof. Alessio Radice
Group Members
v Seyed Mohammad Sadegh (Arshia) Mousavi (836154)
v Abdolreza Khalili (832669)
v Omid Habibzadeh Bigdarvish (836722)
2. General Presentation
The Serio (Lombard: Sère[1][2]) is an
Italian river that flows entirely within
Lombardy, crossing the provinces of
Bergamo and Cremona. It is 124
kilometres (77 mi) long and flows into the
Adda at Bocca di Serio south of Crema.
Its valley is known as the Val Seriana.
3. 3
General Presentation
General information
• Length: 125 km
• Area of basin: 1250 km2
• Average discharge: around 25 m3/s
• Water used for hydropower (famous falls
are activated some times every year) and
irrigation
Our models examines the last 15 km of the
river, from Crema to the confluence with the
Adda.
Data provided:
• Cross sections (map and survey data)
• Flood hydrograph
• Geometry data incorporated into a project
of Hec‐Ras
• Pictures of the reach
5. 5
Objective: 1‐D modeling of river flow in ordinary and peak conditions.
Steps:
² Cross section data: choosing extent of main channel and roughness values for main channel
and floodplains
² Completing geometry data: adding the bridge at section 6.1
² Choosing discharge data and boundary conditions
² Choosing levees
² Running models:
v Steady model with ordinary flow: Sensitivity analysis (roughness and BCs) and discussion
v Steady model with peak flow: Sensitivity analysis (geometry, levees, roughness, BCs) and
discussion
v Unsteady model for 200-year hydrograph: Sensitivity analysis (outflow + storage, single or
multiple) and discussion
1-D Modeling - Theoretical
6. 6
Theoretical Background
HEC-RAS as an 1-D modeling software is based on the Saint Venant Equations. These equations are
obtained based on the following assumptions, generally satisfied in hydraulic processes:
o flow is one-dimensional.
o All the quantities can be described as continuous and derivable functions of longitudinal position
(s) and time (t).
o Fluid is uncompressible.
o Flow is gradually varied, and the pressure is distributed hydrostatically.
o Bed slope is small enough to consider cross sections as vertical.
o Channel is prismatic in shape.
o Flow is fully turbulent.
Saint Venant Equations:
1-D Modeling - Theoretical
7. 7
For special cases, these equations can be simplified as follows:
§ Steady flow with no temporal variation:
§ Steady flow with no spatial and temporal variability (Uniform flow):
In case of steady flow, modeling is simple: a constant discharge should be assign to the entire
reach, and a boundary condition for water level which would be at upstream for supercritical
flows or at downstream for subcritical flows.
1-D Modeling - Theoretical
8. 8
Energy Head Loss
The change in the energy head
between adjacent sections equals the
head loss. The head loss occurring
between two cross-sections is
consisting of the sum of the
frictional losses and expansion or
contraction losses.
The energy head is given by:
1-D Modeling - Theoretical
9. 9
In case of unsteady flow, an initial condition is necessary together with an upstream
boundary condition (usually a discharge hydrograph) and a second boundary condition
which must be upstream for supercritical flows or downstream for subcritical flow.
Characteristic Depths
Critical Depth dc:
The depth for which the specific energy is minimum is called the critical depth.
When dc>d the flow is called supercritical (velocity larger than that for critical flow).
When dc<d the flow is subcritical.
1-D Modeling - Theoretical
10. 10
Normal Depth d0:
If no quantity varies with the longitudinal direction, the flow is called uniform, and the
momentum equation representing the process is S0=Sf. The depth for which this happens is
called the normal depth.
For a given discharge, Sf is a decreasing function of water depth, therefore:
d>d0 ⇒S0 >Sf
d<d0 ⇒S0 <Sf
1-D Modeling - Theoretical
11. 11
Steady model for the ordinary flow
Length: 125 km
Average discharge: 25 m3/s
S0= 0.15%
1-D Modeling Description
13. 13
Main channel bank stations
The left and the right bank values are inserted in the HEC-RAS software considering the
width of the channel in the map and trying to find the nodes having roughly the same
distance.
1-D Modeling Description
14. 14
Manning Roughness Coefficient:
There is no exact method for selecting n values. At the present stage of knowledge to select a
value of n actually means to estimate the resistance to flow in a given channel which is really
a matter of intangibles.
So for this issue, different individuals will obtain different results, such as:
1. experience; comparison with similar systems
2. calibration over past (and known) events
3. sensitivity analysis
For the Calibration of the main channel, left and right banks of the channel we considered the
USGS data for the rivers.
1-D Modeling Description
15. 15
Manning Coefficient:
² The values of roughness for main channel, left and right banks are selected based on the map of
the area and provided pictures of the sections. These values are obtained from the “Verified
Roughness Characteristics of Natural Channels” provided by USGS website.
² The Manning coefficient of main channel has been selected n=0.038 whereas for the sensitivity
analysis considered n=0.028 and n=0.041.
² In addition, different manning values have been observed for the three cases with respect to the
Hec-Ras software’s table.
1-D Modeling Description
Serio River
Clark Fork River
USGS
N=0.028
19. 19
1-D Modeling Description
Serio River
Manning Coefficient (n) in Flood Plains:
Left and Right Coefficients bank corresponding to n=0.028
20. 20
1-D Modeling Description
Manning Coefficient (n) in Flood Plains:
Left and Right Coefficients bank corresponding to n=0.038
Serio RiverMoyie River
21. 21
1-D Modeling Description
Manning Coefficient (n) in Flood Plains:
Left and Right Coefficients bank corresponding to n=0.041
Middle Fork River
Serio River
23. 23
Bridge:
v At the section 6.1, a bridge is added to the channel.
v We accomplished this by adding one section to the upstream, one section to downstream and one
section at the location of the structure.
v The total width of the bridge is 10m.
v The distance between these three sections (6.05-6.1-6.15) is10m from the middle section of the
bridge.
1-D Modeling Steady – Ordinary Flow
24. 24
1-D Modeling Steady – Ordinary Flow
Bridge
Create a section before (6.15)
Create a section after (6.05)
Delete section 6.1
Insert the bridge (6.1)
26. 26
Limitations Considerations of 1D Modeling
v Since HEC-RAS is a 1D modeling software, it cannot consider whether water can move
across the main channel to the flood plains or not. Therefore, if the bed elevation at
floodplain is lower than water surface, HEC-RAS will consider water flows into the
flood plains. And in this case levee should be added to the section. For this issue, we
have considered both view 3D multiple cross section plot and view cross sections.
v In ordinary flow (Q=25 m^3/sec), there are two necessity to add levees in Sections 2
and 8_1, after adding these levees water does not exist in the flood plains.
v The presence of levees is specially required for the steady peak flow and the unsteady
simulation based on 200 years hydrograph.
1-D Modeling Description
29. 29
1-D Modeling Description
Adding Levee in Section 8.1
As can be seen, in the section 8.1, a levee is added to the right of the main channel.
Since HEC-RAS is a 1-D modeling software, it cannot consider whether water can
move across the main channel to the banks or not. Thus, if the water surface is
higher than the bed elevation at the floodplain water, HEC-RAS will consider
water flows into the banks. To avoid this issue, in the section 8.1 in our model, a
levee has to be added.
32. 32
Boundary Conditions
Ø The discharge for the ordinary flow is 25 m3/s.
Ø The boundary conditions for the river depend on the nature of the flow. In the case of
subcritical flow, we have to input just downstream condition and for supercritical flows,
just upstream condition is needed.
Ø By running the model with some assumed boundary conditions (critical flow at upstream
and normal flow at downstream), it was noted that the Froude Number along the channel
is lower than 1. Therefore, the flow is subcritical and just downstream boundary
condition has to be set. To do so, a sensitivity analysis of the boundary condition need to
be done.
Ø For the Reference scenario we have chosen the normal depth for the downstream and
Critical depth for the upstream.
1-D Modeling Description
36. 36
Ordinary Flow
Bridge Section (Sec. 6.1)
The contraction in the bridge section causes the flow depth to change. Since the flow is
subcritical, water elevation decreases after the bridge and gets close to the critical depth.
37. 37
Ordinary Flow
Sensitivity Analysis for Boundary Condition
To check the sensitivity of the results with respect to the boundary conditions, 5
sets of boundary conditions are considered and their results are compared:
1. Upstream Normal flow and Downstream Normal flow (S=0.0015)
2. Upstream Normal flow and Downstream Critical flow
3. Upstream Critical flow and Downstream Normal flow (S=0.0015) (Reference Scenario)
4. Upstream Critical flow and Downstream Critical flow
5. Upstream Normal flow and Downstream fixed Water Surface Elevation: 47.51
(45.71 Bed Elevation + 1.8 m Water Depth)
39. 39
Ordinary Flow
Results: Velocity Conditions
Noticeable rise in water velocity in cases 2 and 4 (water level tends to critical depth)
Velocity for different boundary conditions
40. 40
Ordinary Flow
Sensitivity Analysis for Boundary Condition
Results
1. In whole profile (except bridge section) different boundary condition in upstream
makes no change in water profile. Because water level is over critical depth in whole
reach (subcritical flow) and just in case of a supercritical flow upstream boundary
condition affect our water profile.
2. At this project (subcritical flow) the downstream boundary condition affect the water
profile. Water level variation is occurred in the last 4 stations (downstream).
41. 41
Ordinary Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
In applying the Manning number the greatest difficulty lies in the determination of the
roughness coefficient n; there is no exact method of selecting the n value. In the present
study, comparison with similar system of the other rivers has been carried out based on the
database: “Verified Roughness Characteristics of Natural Channels” provided by USGS
website.
︎In ordinary flow water exists only in main channel therefore the simulation is only dependent
on the manning coefficient of main channel and not left and right banks. Therefore for flood
plains same manning coefficient has been chosen.
︎To study the roughness sensitivity, the manning coefficients are once increased from n=0.038
(reference coefficient) to n=0.041 and once decreased from n=0.038 to 0.028
The roughness sensitivity is evaluated regarding two aspects:
In this analysis two aspects have been considered:
v Water Surface elevation
v Velocity
42. 42
Ordinary Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
v Water Surface elevation
v Velocity
Considering the graph provided, it is easy to observe that by increasing the manning
coefficient (n), the water surface elevation is raised. However, generally speaking different
manning coefficient values (n), have provided almost the same water surface elevation
compared to the dimension of our channel. This hypothesis will be examined later in this
project.
An important point of this graph, is the behavior seen at the location of the bridge. It is clear
that regardless of the magnitude of the manning coefficient, the water surface elevation
approach to the same level for all conditions. This may indicate that in this specific location,
due to the contraction caused by the bridge piers, a critical condition has occurred. Checking
the Fr=1 in this location verifies this speculation. The results obtained from the HEC-RAS
model verifies that the flow is subcritical before and after this location while, when the flow
reaches the bridge, the flow is critical.
44. 44
Ordinary Flow
Sensitivity Analysis for Boundary Condition
Results: Water Surface
Noticeable rise in water velocity in cases 2 and 4 (water level tends to critical depth)
45. 45
Ordinary Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
v Water Surface elevation
v Velocity
Two points can we concluded from the velocity graph.
1. The graph with higher Manning’s value causes lower velocity as expected.
2. The increase in roughness results in the rise of the water surface elevation. The higher
water surface elevation yield lower velocity of the flow.
47. 47
Peak Flow
v Average discharge 561.12 m3/s (based on peak value of 200 –year hydrograph)
Levees
² 13 sections need adding levees to control flood plain.
² Criteria for deciding whether to add levee or not:
1. Considering the residential areas and facilities close to the flood plain.
2. If the bed elevation is lower than water surface HEC-RAS will consider this
area as a flooded area, so levees are required to avoid this issue.
Peak Flow Properties
63. 63
Peak Flow
Sensitivity analysis in case of adding levee and eliminating cross sections
Section Elevation Difference
16 0.3
13 0.4
9 0.2
Differences in water elevation
Comparing the graphs and the results of the two sets of data:
1. No elimination of cross sections and No levees.
2. With levees and eliminating some cross sections.
We can observe that in the upstream sections (16, 13, 9) of the eliminated cross
sections (15.1, 12.1, 8.2, 8.1) the elevation of the water is increased after adding the
levees and eliminating the mentioned cross sections by the values provided in the
above table.
m
m
m
64. 64
Peak Flow
Sensitivity analysis in case of adding levee and eliminating cross sections
Comparing the graphs and the results of the two sets of data:
1. No levees and No elimination in cross sections.
2. With levees, No eliminating cross sections.
We can observe that the graph belonging to the case of no levee and no elimination
is always lower or equal to the one related to the case of having levees but no
elimination in cross sections.
Comparing the graphs and the results of the two sets of data:
1. No levees and with elimination of cross sections.
2. With levees, No eliminating cross sections.
One could notice that by eliminating the cross sections (case 1) the water surface
level would decrease.
65. 65
Peak Flow
Sensitivity Analysis for Boundary Condition
To check the sensitivity of the results with respect to the boundary conditions, 5
sets of boundary conditions are considered and their results are compared:
1. Upstream Normal flow and Downstream Normal flow (S=0.0015)
2. Upstream Normal flow and Downstream Critical flow
3. Upstream Critical flow and Downstream Normal flow (S=0.0015) (Reference Scenario)
4. Upstream Critical flow and Downstream Critical flow
5. Upstream Normal flow and Downstream fixed Water Surface Elevation: 51.71
(45.71 Bed Elevation + 6 m Water Depth)
68. 68
Peak Flow
Sensitivity Analysis for Boundary Condition
Results
One could observe that different boundary condition would result in the same velocity
except in the case of sections in the downstream of the river in which the difference is due
to the different boundary conditions applied there.
69. 69
Peak Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
In applying the Manning number the greatest difficulty lies in the determination of the
roughness coefficient n; there is no exact method of selecting the n value. In the present
study, comparison with similar system of the other rivers has been carried out based on the
database: “Verified Roughness Characteristics of Natural Channels” provided by USGS
website.
︎In the peak flow water is not only flowing in the main channel as it was in the case of
ordinary flow explained earlier. Left and right bank also contain a portion of water flow so
different manning coefficient in the banks is also applied.
︎
The roughness sensitivity is evaluated regarding two aspects:
In this analysis two aspects have been considered:
v Water Surface elevation
v Velocity
70. 70
Peak Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
v Water Surface elevation
v Velocity
For this type of flow, the result obtained in the case of ordinary flow are true. Moreover, it is
clear that regardless of the magnitude of the manning coefficient, the water surface elevation
approach to the same level for all conditions for the bridge section. Moreover it is observed
that the water surface along the channel is always above the critical depth. Meaning that
there is subcritical flow in the whole channel.
72. 72
Peak Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
v Water Surface elevation
v Velocity
Two points can we concluded from the velocity graph.
1. The graph with higher Manning’s value causes lower velocity as expected.
2. The increase in roughness results in the rise of the water surface elevation. The higher
water surface elevation yield lower velocity of the flow.
74. 74
Peak Flow
Roughness Sensitivity Analysis
Results:
q ︎︎While the difference in the water surface elevation and velocity of both
peak and ordinary flow in the case of different (n) values is relatively
small, we could observe that the difference in the case of peak flow is
larger. In the other words, peak flow results are more sensitive to
manning coefficient.
q To conclude, one could state that to use the manning coefficient
considering the similar river sections of the USGS and predict the case
of river Serio, is acceptable.
75. 75
Unsteady Model
Unsteady model for 200-year Hydrograph
To model for the unsteady flow, all the parameters from steady models are
used. In this case different flow rates is considered for different sections of
the river based on the excel sheet provided.
§ Model conditions
§ Boundary condition
Upstream: 200-year hydrograph
Downstream: normal depth with slope of 0.0015
§ Initial condition
Initial discharge
76. 76
Unsteady Model
Unsteady flow data
The original dataset is interpolated with 60 minute time interval. This time interval is
small enough with respect to the whole event history ( 200 years).
80. 80
Comparison: Steady and unsteady discharge analysis (at max. water profile)
Unsteady Model
525
530
535
540
545
550
555
560
565
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000
Steady Vs. Unsteady
unsteady
steady
81. 81
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000
steady Vs. Unsteady
unsteady
steady
Comparison: Steady and unsteady velocity analysis (at max. water profile)
Unsteady Model
82. 82
Unsteady Model
Results:
v It can be observed that the maximum difference between the steady and
unsteady flow discharge values is 5.87 percent. This amount shows the loss of
Q by considering unsteady type of flow.
v The values of discharge, velocity and water surface elevation are relatively
similar in the case of analyzing Serio river. This could be explained by the fact
that the difference between steady and unsteady values is dominant only if the
channel profile is long enough.
85. 85
Two Dimensional (2D) Modeling
Theoretical Background
The 2D model depth averaged, mass and momentum conservation equations are:
The bed shear stress are computed by:
The turbulent normal and shear stresses are computed according to the
Boussinesq’s assumption as:
86. 86
Two Dimensional (2D) Modeling
Benefits
Ø ︎Ability to model more complex flows including
floodplain and underground flows
Ø ︎Ability to consider impact of obstructions.
Ø ︎ No need to force the geometry to be appropriate
for modeling
Limitations
v If the phenomenon is abrupt, the 1D model
contains discontinuities that water would hardly
follow.
v ︎Results are limited by the accuracy of the
assumptions, input data and the computing power
of the computer program.
v Modeling complexity and precision are not a
substitute for sound engineering judgment
87. 87
Two Dimensional (2D) Modeling
Comparing the results of 2-D with 1D
Since River 2D results 2 values for velocity along the X and Y axes,
and computes the water depth at each node, it is not possible to have
single longitudinal profiles for velocity and water surface for the river.
Therefore, the results are compared section by section
100. 100
Two Dimensional (2D) Modeling
• General Comments
Below is mentioned several reasons to explain the
difference in the values of velocity obtained by 1D
and 2D Software:
v ︎Hec-Ras considers only velocity for each section
along the channel (so perpendicular to the cross
sections), but River2D considers two components
for velocity (in X direction and Y direction).
v In 2D modeling, lateral stresses are also
considered while in the 1D modeling only friction
losses are considered.
v ︎Therefore, there is only one values for velocity in
1D, however in 2D, velocity varies along the
section and usually increase in main channel and
decreases in flood plains.
107. 107
Sediment Transport
Results:
² Where the value of τ* is greater than τ*critical we have bed load.
² As we can see in the previous graphs in the case of the peak flow in the
most of the sections we have bed load. But we have less sections with bed
loads in the ordinary case.
111. 111
Sediment Transport
Conclusion :
Ø It is verified by the graphs that we have suspended load if
the d50 is lower than ds critical (suspended)
Ø As demonstrated in the graphs we will have suspended
load in more sections in peak flow in comparison with
ordinary flow.
Ø Occurring the bed load is more probable than the
suspended load.
118. 118
Sediment Transport
Result:
u As can be observe from the graphs the least sediment transport ratio is for
Van Rijn equation and the highest sediment transport ratio correspond to
Nielsen equation.
u However depending on qs morphological evolution of river bed will
change river condition (manning coefficient, river geometry and so on)
u Considering the manning formula hf=10.29 n2 . D-5.33 . Q2 . L with respect
to the sediment transport, the value of friction losses and roughness are
changed. So for designing the channels for the long period of time the
average manning coefficient is normally considered in the most cases.