The International System of Units, commonly referred to as the metric system or SI, is used today in most nations. In fact, the United States is the only industrialized country not on the metric system of measurement. As a part of the US effort to metricate, the FHWA has taken a number of steps to expedite the transition. This project is one of the efforts to do so.

The principal objective of the project is to convert hydraulic design manuals (HEC, HDS), microcomputer programs (HY) and training materials to the metric system. Another, equally important objective is to update, correct and in general make any changes necessary to improve and enhance these materials.

Estimated at 4 years, the project began in September 1993. To date, "Evaluating Scour at Bridges" (HEC-18), "Stream Stability at Highway Structures" (HEC-20) and the training materials for NHI Course No. 13046, "Stream Stability and Scour at Highway Bridges" have all been fully updated and metricated. In addition, work on all materials associated with HYDRAIN (the computer program, documentation and training materials for NHI Course No. 13057) is nearing completion.

Copies of all completed publications are available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia. HYDRAIN, computer program and documentation, is available through McTrans, The Center for Microcomputers in Transportation, Gainesville, Florida and PC-TRANS, Lawrence, Kansas. Training courses are available from the National Highway Institute, FHWA.

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HIGHWAYTECHNET   VIRTUAL EXPO   STRUCTURES INDEX

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration