An Introduction to HY-8

Culvert Hydraulic Analysis Program

Dave Hensberry, EIT

Assistant Hydraulics Engineer
NYSDOT – Region 9 Binghamton
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Overview
• What is HY-8
• Where can you get it
• Uses
• Advantages/Limitations
• Design Requirements
• Example project (s)
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What is HY - 8
• Hydraulic computation model for roadway
stream crossings (culverts)

• Created & Provided Online by FHWA:

• FREE Software
• Download @
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/
software/hy8/

• Current Version is HY-8 7.50

• Build Date July 28, 2016
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• Analyze the performance of culverts

• Velocities
• Water Depths
• Flow Profiles
• Analyze multi-barrel structures
• Analyze multiple crossings in one
project
• Analyze roadway overtopping
• Develop report tables and graphs
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• Modify cross section designs

• Circular
• Box
• Ellipse
• Arch
• Modify elevations
• Modify lengths
• Modify inlet/outlet conditions
• Modify materials
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Advantages Limitations
 Simple to Use  Only single stream
 Free Software crossings
 No Hydraulic Cross-  Not appropriate for
Sections required bridges with piers
(Survey)  Does NOT replace
 Can quickly change HEC-RAS Analysis
design and analyze
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Culvert #2
Culvert #1

Will NOT analyze culverts “In-Line”

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Culvert #3

Culvert #4

Culvert #2
Culvert #1

Analyze Multiple culverts in one project file

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1. The values in this table are typical. The selected value

for a project should be based upon an assessment of
the likely damage to the highway and adjacent
landowners from a given flow and the costs of the
drainage facility. Note: 100-year requirements must be
checked if the proposed highway is in an established
regulatory floodway or floodplain.

6. A design flood frequency of 10 or 25 years is

acceptable if documented in the Design Approval
Document, and when identified after design approval, in
the drainage report. A design flood frequency of 10 or 25
years should be used in the design of driveway culverts
and similar structures.
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FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer

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NYS Route 17 over Dry Brook (Tioga County)

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What you need:

• HY-8 Software
• Discharge Data (Stream
flow)
• Tail-water Data
• Roadway Data
• Culvert Data
• Site Data
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Creating a New Project in HY-8

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Discharge Data
“Stream Stats”
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Top View

320 ft
Top Width

Dry Run Brook

24 ft.
Slope (So) = 0.113
Crest length

Roadway Station 1 +00

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Cross Section View

847 ft.

Slope (So) = 0.0031

Dry Run Brook

Inlet Elevation = 820 ft. Outlet Elevation = 819 ft.

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Cross Section View

847 ft.

Slope (So) = 0.0031

Dry Run Brook

Inlet Elevation = 820 ft. Outlet Elevation = 819 ft.

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Cross Section View

847 ft.

Slope (So) = 0.0031

Dry Run Brook

Inlet Elevation = 820 ft. Outlet Elevation = 819 ft.

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Cross Section View

847 ft.

Slope (So) = 0.0031

Dry Run Brook

Inlet Elevation = 820 ft. Outlet Elevation = 819 ft.

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Cross Section View

847 ft.

Slope (So) = 0.0031

Dry Run Brook

Inlet Elevation = 820 ft. Outlet Elevation = 819 ft.

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Analyze your Crossing

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View Results (Design Flow Q50) - Existing

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With 8” Paved invert

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View Results (Design Flow Q50) - Proposed

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Existing Vs. Proposed

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Design Details for Structural Invert Paving of Culverts

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Design Details for Structural Invert Paving of Culverts

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NYSDOT Standards
Bridge Detail (BD) Sheets – EE5ER2
NYSDOT Bridge Manual
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Slip Lining Example

Current pipe is a 3’ circular CMP drainage pipe.
Question - Can I slip line with 2’ concrete pipe?

Design Flow = 50 cfs

Max Flow = 100 cfs

Channel width = 10 ft
Slope = 0.0025 ft/ft
Manning’s n = 0.050
Crest Elevation = 307 ft
(top of road)
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Cross Section View

307 m
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Slip Lining Results

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BTW this would be

• Analyze the performance of culverts:
considered a bridge!
• Velocities
• Water Depths
• Flow Profiles
• Multi-barrel structures
• Multiple crossings in one project
• Roadway overtopping i.e. Weir flow

• Develop report tables and graphs

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Assessment of Learning
1. According to the NYSDOT Bridge Design Manual, Extra
Heavy Stone Protection must be used for velocities (V)
greater than 10 fps?

a) True
b) False
Extra Heavy Stone for V > 12 fps
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Assessment of Learning
2. When designing a culvert replacement or repair, when is it
required to analyze the 100-year (Q100) flood?

a) Any new replacement

b) Only when using Class J concrete
c) Whenever the culvert is within the regulatory Floodway or
Floodplain
d) None of the Above
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Assessment of Learning
3. HY-8 Software has the ability to analyze all of the following
except?

a) Multi Barrel Structures

b) Velocities
c) Roadway Overtopping
d) In-Line Culverts