Government Pavilion, C/ Padre Herrera s/n
Post Office Box 456
38200, San Cristobal de La Laguna
Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Spain
Switchboard Tel.: (+34) 922 31 90 00
Hours: Mon, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
HEC-RAS application management
HEC-RAS application management
Overview
This micro-credential equips participants to develop, analyze, and optimize hydraulic models of natural and artificial channels using HEC-RAS, applied to design, rehabilitation, and management projects. It is a practical and specialized training, geared towards meeting the real demands of the sector and complementing traditional academic training.
At the end of the course, the participant will be able to develop, analyze and optimize hydraulic models of natural channels (rivers and ravines) and artificial (constructed) channels using HEC RAS, to apply them in design, rehabilitation and management projects.
- The microcredential is specifically designed to bridge the gap between traditional academic training and the real demands of the sector, offering practical, applied and highly specialized training.
Students must be between 25 and 64 years old on the start date of the training. Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or be or have been enrolled in a University Degree course in Engineering or Architecture/Technical Architecture at present or in one of the last 3 academic years.
Academic program
Module 1: Fundamentals and Context of Hydraulic Modeling (2 hours)
Theoretical content
- Introduction to flood risk in the context of climate change.
- Fundamental hydraulic concepts for modeling (steady-state vs. non-steady-state flow)
permanent, 1D, 2D and mixed flow). - Introduction to HEC-RAS: interface, working philosophy and project structure.
Module 2: One-Dimensional (1D) Modeling in HEC-RAS (4 hours)
Theoretical and practical content
- Channel geometry: digitization of alignments, cross-sections, structures
hydraulic structures (bridges, culverts, dams). - Steady-state flow analysis: introduction of boundary conditions,
calibration and validation of models. - Unsteady flow analysis (transient): import of hydrographs,
definition of initial and boundary conditions. - Results processing: generation of water surface profiles, areas of
flood and basic hazard maps.
Module 3: Two-Dimensional (2D) and Mixed (1D/2D) Modeling (6 hours)
Theoretical and practical content
- Advantages and applications of 2D modeling. Creation of calculation and mesh areas.
- Definition of topography (terrain), roughness and boundary conditions for 2D flow.
- Coupling of 1D and 2D models for complex representations (main channels in 1D and plains in 2D).
- Simulation of extreme events and dam breaks (optional, depending on the approach).
Module 4: Results Analysis and Professional Applications (2 hours)
Theoretical and practical content
- Advanced post-processing: depth, speed, hazard and risk maps.
- Integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the development of
official cartography. - Practical applications: studies of the delimitation of the Public Hydraulic Domain (DPH),
design of mitigation measures and assessment of project impacts. - Good practices, uncertainty management, and technical reporting.
-Module 5. ODT sizing with STANDARD 5.2 IC (3 hours)
- Selection of basic design criteria of the Spanish standard 5.2 – IC road drainage, of 2016.
- Selection of aspects from the reference “Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts”.
- Control of inlet flow.
- Preliminary dimensioning of the bottom width of box culverts with no inlet
submerged and controlled at the entrance. - Solved examples of rectangular ODTs.
The training activities to be carried out during the delivery of the micro-credential will be:
- Theoretical classes: expository, explanatory or demonstration sessions of the contents and knowledge.
- Work: preparation of a study, essay, work… proposed in the subject, either individually or in a group following established guidelines.
- Independent work: independent and self-regulated activity of the student based on the documentation and guidelines proposed in the subject, preparation of classes and exams, preparation of final reports, internship reports…
Regarding the way to organize the teaching to achieve the objectives set out in the micro-credential, the organizational modality summarized below will be followed:
- Lectures/expository method: presentation or explanation by the teaching staff.
- Practical classes: activities supervised by the teaching staff in the classroom, laboratories, clinics.
- Seminars: completing exercises, solving problems or practical cases, others.
- Individual work: individual preparation of assignments/projects/reports, portfolio, …
- Personal study: preparation for tests, exams, etc.
- Assessment: written tests, oral tests, practical tests, …
- Exhibitions, debates and presentation of works and projects: activities supervised by the teaching staff.
- Active methodologies: cooperative learning, project-based learning, classroom
Flipped classroom, service learning, game-based learning, case studies, problem-solving… These are aimed at making learning a participatory process and are based on student agency.
The course strategically combines:
- Active methodologies (ABP, ABPr) for engagement and real-world application.
- Practical methodologies (Learning by Doing, Guided Demo) for mastering the tool.
- Collaborative methodologies (Cooperative Learning, Clinics) to enrich learning.
- Continuous assessment to ensure proper assimilation of content.
This combination ensures that each participant is not only a passive recipient of information, but an active protagonist of their own learning, developing practical skills directly transferable to their work environment.
The microcredential will have an evaluation system (ES) based on the following evaluation tests:
• Case, exercise and problem solving: tests in which students must solve, in a reasoned manner, within a certain time, and according to the established criteria, the cases, exercises or problems posed by the teaching staff, with the aim of applying the knowledge acquired.
• Attendance, participation or attitude in teaching activities, seminars, tutorials, etc.: monitoring student attendance and participation in teaching activities, carrying out activities during teaching sessions.
The evaluation system is characterized by its continuous and formative nature, prioritizing practical application over traditional theoretical assessment. It focuses on each participant's actual performance in using the software and solving engineering problems.
The main part of the assessment (50% of the qualification) is a final comprehensive project, where participants must demonstrate their competence by developing, calibrating, and analyzing a complete hydraulic model, justifying their technical decisions in an executive report.
Finally, the key concepts verification questionnaire (10%) will confirm the assimilation of the essential theoretical and procedural foundations.
The progression of learning follows the following line of key results:
1. Remember / Understand: Know the interface and logic of HEC RAS.
2. Apply: Build and simulate models.
3. Analyze: Diagnose problems.
4. Evaluate: Compare alternatives.
5. Create: Design a ravine flow system that includes an ODT.
General information
Credits: 2 ECTS
Duration: 04/05/26 – 25/05/26
Teaching modality: Virtual
Location: Virtual
Valued at: €145
The cost of tuition for this Microcredential will be subsidized by the 'Plan for the development of university microcredentials', investment 6 of component 21 of the Addendum to the 'Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan', financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, year 2025.
Short courses available in various formats (in-person, online, or hybrid). Ideal for learning without interrupting your professional life.
Content created and delivered by professionals and experts in the field, designed for immediate application.
Endorsed by the University of La Laguna. You will receive an official ECTS certificate, valid in the European Higher Education Area.
Teaching staff
Full Professor (retired) of Hydraulic Engineering.
PhD in Civil Engineering / PhD in Technical Sciences / Hydraulic Engineering
Associate Professor at ULL. Hydraulic Engineer/ Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering/ Technical Engineer in Public Works. Master's Degree in Hydraulic Engineering/ Master's Degree in General and Applied Hydrology.
Full Professor of Hydraulic Engineering.
PhD in Civil Engineering / PhD in Technical Sciences / Hydraulic Engineering
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