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Automatinghecras Excel Conversion Gate01

This document summarizes a presentation on automating HEC-RAS modeling using Excel and the HECRASController API. It introduces HEC-RAS, describes the HECRASController API and how to access it from Excel VBA, provides examples of API functions and Excel VBA demos, tips for using the API, and concludes by emphasizing the usefulness but quirks of the API and encouraging questions.

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Dario Prata
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192 views11 pages

Automatinghecras Excel Conversion Gate01

This document summarizes a presentation on automating HEC-RAS modeling using Excel and the HECRASController API. It introduces HEC-RAS, describes the HECRASController API and how to access it from Excel VBA, provides examples of API functions and Excel VBA demos, tips for using the API, and concludes by emphasizing the usefulness but quirks of the API and encouraging questions.

Uploaded by

Dario Prata
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Automating HEC-RAS with Excel

Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Conference, March 2015


Thomas Williams, PE
Amec Foster Wheeler

+ =?
Contents
1. What is HEC-RAS? (brief intro)
2. The HECRASController API
3. Excel VBA Demos
1. Multi-Model Run
2. RAS Output Extraction
3. Mannings n Calibration (sort of)
4. Tips
5. Conclusion

2
1. What is HEC-RAS?

Hydrologic
Engineering
Centers
River
Analysis
System

HEC-RAS allows you to


perform one-dimensional
steady flow, unsteady flow,
sediment transport/mobile
bed computations, and water
temperature modeling.
- USACE

3
2. The HECRASController API
What is an API?

API = Application Programmer Interface


In computer programming, an application programmer interface (API) is
a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software
applications. An API expresses a software component in terms of its
operations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types.
- Wikipedia

Their Program
Your
Program API

4
2. The HECRASController API (contd)
The HECRASController API
The current version of the HECRASController has a wealth of
procedures that will allow a programmer to manipulate HEC-RAS
externally by setting input data, retrieving input or output data, and
performing common [HEC-RAS] functions
- Christopher Goodell, PE, D.WRE, Breaking the HEC-RAS Code, 2014

HEC-RAS
Excel
API

5
2. The HECRASController API (contd)
Accessing the API from Microsoft Excel
1. Click the Visual Basic button (on the Developer tab)
2. Create a new VBA module
3. Go to Tools > References, check HEC River Analysis System,
and click OK.
4. Write code!

6
2. The HECRASController API (contd)
A simple program
Sub RunHECRAS()
' Opens and runs a HEC-RAS model

' Declare variables


Dim ras As New HECRASController
Dim nmsg As Long
Dim strMessages() As String
Dim prjFilePath As String

' Open the model


prjFilePath = "C:\MyHecRasModel.prj"
ras.Project_Open (prjFilePath)

' Run the model


ras.Compute_CurrentPlan nmsg, strMessages

End Sub

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2. The HECRASController API (contd)
Some example HECRASController
fuctions and subroutines:
Project_Open Geometry_SetMann
Opens a HEC-RAS model. Sets the Mannings n values for
Compute_CurrentPlan a cross section, horizontally
Runs the current flow/geometry varied.
regime. Add_BC
ExportGIS Adds a bridge/culvert.
Exports an *.sdf file that can be Edit_BC
read into ArcGIS using HEC- Opens the Bridge/Culvert Editor
GeoRAS. and displays the selected station.
Output_NodeOutput PlotPF
Returns an output value for a Displays the water surface profile
given node and profile. for a given River/Reach.

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3. Excel VBA Demos
1. Multi-Model Run
2. RAS Output Extraction
3. Mannings n Calibration (sort of)

Cross your fingers!

9
4. Tips
Breaking the HEC-RAS Code
by Christopher Goodell, PE, D.WRE
The API is a little rough around the edges.
Provides a lot of functionality, but not everything
Inconsistencies:
Parameter names and types
Function / subroutine behavior
No official API documentation
HEC-RAS is public domain software, but not open source
HEC-RAS project (*.prj), geometry (*.g##), flow (*.f##), and plan
(*.p##) files are plain text.
Sometimes thats easier than using the API.
HEC-RAS output files (*.O##) are binary.

10
5. Conclusion

1. The HECRASController API is really useful


2. but it takes a little work to figure out.
3. Happy coding!

Questions?

Contact Info
Thomas Williams, PE
Amec Foster Wheeler
[email protected]

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