With the release of HEC-RAS 5.0 (and newer versions), the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) has added the ability to perform two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic routing to the HEC-RAS computer model. This webinar will provide an overview of the new HEC-RAS 2D tools and solution processes and the basic capabilities of the HEC-RAS 2D model. The 2D flow modeling can be accomplished by adding 2D flow area element. This is similar to adding a stora...

The overwhelming majority of dams in the world, and also in the United States, are embankment dams. This webinar is intended as an overview of embankment dams, to serve as an introduction for those relatively new to dam safety and a refresher for the more experienced practitioner. The webinar will begin with a review of the history of embankment dams from antiquity to today and comments on today’s inventory of dams. Types of embankment d...

The most common deficiency at dams in North America is inadequate spillway capacity. Inadequate spillway capacity can result in overtopping of a dam during flood events. This is especially a concern for embankment dams where overtopping of the dam embankment can cause breaching of the dam and uncontrolled release of the impounded water. This failure mode accounts for more than 40 percent of recent dam failures. A broad overview of the many app...

The purpose of this course is to provide a brief introduction into the science of concrete arch dams. The review will touch on design methods used in the past, but primarily focus on the methods used in the current state of the practice. A historical review of construction techniques will be discussed, and how that relates to evaluations and the physical behavior of the structures. The basic loads and loading conditions used for analysis will...

This webinar will review the 2004 failure of Big Bay Dam. A potential failure modes framework was used to make the forensic root-cause assessment based on data and information provided by the State of Mississippi. A detailed timeline of the failure obtained through review of court proceedings will be presented including the appearance of a number of distress indicators, the seriousness of which were not recognized and acted upon by the Owner a...

This course is based on 50 years of NRCS experience with investigating and remediating cracked earth embankments. The presentation consists of two main sections, covering: 1) the nature of soil cracking and the associated internal erosion failure modes; and 2) how to remediate cracked earth embankments. In the first section, general information is presented on which soils are most susceptible to cracking and which pose the greatest risk for fa...

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) will present a new First Thursday Seminar, Electric Vehicle Charging for Employee Vehicles and Agency Fleets, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm EST on January 5, 2017. This First Thursday Seminar will provide fleet and facility managers with an overview of how meeting electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) goals can decrease greenhouse gas emissions, save money, and lead by exam...

A large difference between water storage dams versus tailings dams and coal ash impoundments is that these industrial structures are always under construction. This provides the opportunity to optimize design and construction, but places an emphasis on ongoing evaluation and monitoring. This course provides an overview of the unique construction and design components of these facilities. This course will examine a number of recent failures tha...

Get practical advice to avoid common mistakes so that you can prepare useful and legally compliant NEPA documents. Since 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the cornerstone for environmental protection in the United States. To implement NEPA, federal agencies must prepare environmental impact statements or environmental assessments to study the impacts of their proposed actions. Unfortunately, some federal agencies, their cons...

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) will present a new First Thursday Seminar, Federal Thought Leaders Roundtable,from 1:30 to 3:00 pm EST on June 2, 2016. FEMP Director Timothy Unruh will facilitate a round table discussion on cutting edge topics among senior agency officials. Federal energy and environmental leaders will share insights and discuss sustainability goals, policies, and initiatives. Panel...