Next Generation of HEC RAS: HEC RAS 2025
During the ASFPM 2024 conference, The HEC team delivered a great presentation and a demo on the latest updates to HEC-RAS Version 6 and the upcoming HEC-RAS 2025. Here are my notes on the key points and features they discussed:
RAS 6.6 Updates
Stormwater Pipes: Integration of stormwater pipe networks with surface models, expanding HEC-RAS’s applicability in urban and interior drainage modeling.
RAS 2025
New Mesh Technology: Automated tools to create high-quality meshes from the start, with easy modifications to mesh type and resolution.
Real-Time Simulation Results: Capability to view results during simulations, saving time and allowing for quick adjustments.
Performance Enhancements: Introduction of an explicit solver compatible with GPU, and significantly faster terrain generation.
Portability and Compatibility: New model will be portable, Linux cloud-compatible, and provide access to the HEC-RAS API.
Modern UI Design: A redesigned, user-friendly interface to streamline workflows and improve usability.
Advantages of HEC-RAS 2025
Versatile Mesh Framework: Support for quadrilateral, Cartesian, triangular, and hybrid meshes, allowing users to create conceptual mesh regions tailored to their specific needs.
Improved Integration and Analysis Tools: Enhanced tools for mesh quality, sensitivity, and optimization, along with better rain-on-mesh mapping and model import/export capabilities.
Enhanced Floodway Analysis: Advanced encroachment analysis using D*V values for more precise floodplain management.
Development Timeline
HEC-RAS 6.6 Release: The final feature release of HEC-RAS 6.x is scheduled for September 2024.
HEC-RAS 2025 Alpha: An alpha version will be available in late September 2024, with an official release planned for Fall 2025.
Future Roadmap: Over the next three years, HEC-RAS 2025 will achieve major function parity with HEC-RAS 6.x, incorporating 1D capabilities, implicit solver enhancements, and continuous performance improvements.
This presentation and demo underscored the ongoing commitment to enhancing HEC-RAS’s capabilities, making it an even more powerful tool for hydraulic and hydrologic modeling. The integration of advanced features and improved performance in HEC-RAS 2025 promises to significantly streamline modeling processes and improve efficiency for engineers and floodplain managers.