Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Design and Analysis Tools in Hydraulic Engineering (2500052) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Knowledge of the main tools used both for the design of hydraulic structures and hydrodynamic analysis. Study of the theoretical models and laws of similarity. Knowledge of the measuring instrumentation usually used in field and laboratory. Main design and experimental analysis techniques. Knowledge and application of the main commercial models of hydraulic simulation in open channel flow (HECRAS). 1 Ability to design a simple experimental campaign in hydraulic infrastructures, either in the field or in the laboratory. 2 Ability to properly select the objectives and calculation tools to carry out a hydraulic analysis. Knowledge of the main tools used both for the design of hydraulic structures and hydrodynamic analysis. Study of the theory of models and laws of similarity. Knowledge of the measurement instrumentation commonly used in the field and laboratory. Main design techniques and experimental analysis. Knowledge and application of the main commercial models of hydraulic simulation both in free surface flow (HECRAS). Study of practical cases.

Competencies

Especific

Knowledge and understanding of the supply and sanitation systems, as well as their sizing, construction and conservation. (Specific technology module: Civil Construction)

Knowledge and ability to project and size hydraulic works and installations, energy systems, hydroelectric uses and planning and management of surface and underground hydraulic resources. (Specific technology module: Hydrology)

Generic

Scientific-technical training for the exercise of the profession of Technical Engineer of Public Works and knowledge of the functions of advice, analysis, design, calculation, project, construction, maintenance, conservation and exploitation.

Ability to project, inspect and direct works, in their field.

Capacity for the maintenance and conservation of hydraulic and energy resources, in its field.

Capacity for maintenance, conservation and exploitation of infrastructure, in its field.

Knowledge of the history of civil engineering and training to analyze and assess public works in particular and construction in general.

Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems. Pose and solve construction engineering problems with initiative, decision-making skills and creativity. Develop a systematic and creative method of analysis and problem solving. (Additional school competition).

Conceive, project, manage and maintain systems in the field of construction engineering. Cover the entire life cycle of an infrastructure or system or service in the field of construction engineering. (Additional school competition).

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 45h 100.00 %
Self Study 67.5h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of 1.5 hours per week of classroom activity (large size group) and 1.5 hours weekly with half the students (medium size group). The 1.5 hours in the large size groups are devoted to theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. The 1.5 hours in the medium size groups is devoted to solving practical problems with greater interaction with the students. The objective of these practical exercises is to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: contents, program of learning and assessment activities, and literature. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

In order to approve the course, the following tasks must be completed: I. Class attendance II. Numerical simulation work in HECRAS III. Individual report of numerical simulation work IV. Lab work (groups of 2 or 3 people, depending on the number of students enrolled in the course) V. Individual reports of lab work VI. Oral presentation of one of the tasks -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ------ The course consists of two different parts: a) Numerical simulation work Numerical simulations of one-dimensional free-surface flow will be carried out, applying the HECRAS model, which is a freely available software. The sessions will take place in the computer room or, if each student has a laptop, in the classroom. The teacher will explain the principles of the numerical model and will indicate the steps to be followed to define the boundary conditions and analyse the flow specified in the practice. The lecturer will assess the student's participation in all sessions. Each student must prepare an individual report of the practice, following the script that will be provided for its elaboration. b) Lab work Two practical sessions will be carried out in the UPC hydraulics laboratory. For each of them there will be a previous session in the classroom, in which the objectives, the methodology to be followed and the risk prevention measures to be taken into account will be explained. In the practical sessions, different aspects of free surface flow will be studied (for example: flow measurement, gradually varied flow, rapidly varied flow, 1D and 2D flow). There will be two or three classroom sessions to analyse the data taken in the laboratory, discuss the results and resolve doubts. The lecturer will assess the student's participation in all sessions. Each student must prepare an individual report for each of the practical sessions following the script that will be provided for its preparation. -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ------ The global assessment of the subject will be done according to the following weighting: Final grade = 0.45 (Average of the 3 individual reports) + 0.45 (Oral presentation of one of the practicals) + 0.1 (Attendance and individual assessment of class participation)*. *Attendance to the lab work is a prerequisite to approve the course. Criteria of qualification and of admission to the re-evaluation: The students suspended in the ordinary evaluation that have presented regularly to the proofs of evaluation of the subject suspended will have option to realize a proof of reevaluation in the period fixed in the academic calendar. Students who have already passed it or the students qualified as not presented will not be able to take the re-evaluation test of a subject. The maximum grade in the case of taking the re-assessment exam will be five (5.0). The non-attendance of a student summoned to the re-evaluation test, held in the fixed period may not result in another test being held at a later date. Extraordinary evaluations will be performed for those students who due to accredited force majeure have not been able to perform any of the continuous evaluation tests.

Bibliography

Basic