Pyhmt2d: A Python Package For Automating 2d Computational Hydraulics Modeling

Computational hydraulics modeling using models such as SRH-2D and HEC-RAS 2D can be tedious and laborious when many simulations must be performed. Most of these models have graphical user interfaces (GUIs). However, they lack the capability of automation and extension. Tasks such as parametric studies, Monte Carlo simulations, calibrations, and parallel runs of simulation cases can be better handled with scripting languages such as Python. Specifically, Python scripting can be extremely helpful for well-defined workflows. This presentation will demonstrate a Python package, pyHMT2D, which is designed to automate hydraulics modeling (https://github.com/psu-efd/pyHMT2D). It currently supports SRH-2D and HEC-RAS. The Python package can parse and modify the inputs and outputs of the supported models. It can also control the model runs. In essence, it can control many steps in the pre-processing, simulation, and post-processing life cycle of a modeling project. With the versatile scripting capability and powerful software ecosystem of Python, pyHMT2D can automate many of the modeling workflows that a hydraulic engineer routinely performs. The package also provides many other functionalities, such as converting HEC-RAS mesh to SRH-2D for fair model intercomparison. Various capabilities of pyHMT2D will be demonstrated with examples, whose scripts can be used as templates for any other projects.