Hydraulics Engineering Publications

This is an archived publication. It may be useful for researchers doing further work in this area as well as those developing improved testing and design procedures and is included because of its historical value

Title: Introduction to Highway Hydraulics

Description: Introduction to Highway Hydraulics, Hydraulic Design Series No. 4 (HDS-4), provides an introduction to highway hydraulics. Hydrologic techniques presented concentrate on methods suitable to small areas, since many components of highway drainage (culverts, storm drains, ditches, etc.) service primarily small areas. A brief review of fundamental hydraulic concepts is provided, including continuity, energy, momentum, hydrostatics, weir flow and orifice flow. The document then presents open channel flow principles and design applications, followed by a parallel discussion of closed conduit principles and design applications. Open channel applications include discussion of stable channel design and pavement drainage. Closed conduit applications include culvert and storm drain design. Examples are provided to help illustrate important concepts. An overview of energy dissipators is provided and the document concludes with a brief discussion of construction, maintenance and economic issues.

As the title suggests, HDS-4 provides only an introduction to the design of highway drainage facilities and should be particularly useful for designers and engineers without extensive drainage training or experience. More detailed information on each topic is discussed by other Hydraulic Design Series and Hydraulic Engineering Circulars.

FHWA Publication Number: NHI-01-019

Publication Year: 2001

Document Links: PDF (ISDDC)

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Other documents in this series:

Current

• Introduction to Highway Hydraulics

Archive

• Introduction to Highway Hydraulics (SI)
• Design of Roadside Drainage Channels