Project Directories and Files
The figure below shows an example of how HEC-FIA organizes the directories and files that are created in the project directory. In this example, the study directory is /NB_project. As data is entered, other files and subdirectories are created.
Figure: Example HEC-FIA Project Directory Structure
The table below describes each directory and file that is shown in the above figure.
File or Directory Name | Contents |
NB_project | Project directory that is created when a user creates a new project (see Managing Projects). |
NB_project.prj NB_project.prj.bak | ASCII text file created by HEC-FIA when a project is created. Contains the name and description of the project, what user created the project, map coordinate information, and references to HEC-FIA project elements. The *.bak file is an automatic backup file of the *.prj file. |
Default.ag Default.ag.bak | ASCIISerializer text file created by HEC-FIA when a project is created. Contains information for a default analysis group. The Default.ag.bak file is an automatic backup file of the Default.ag file. |
programOrder.xml programOrder.xml.bak | An XML file created by HEC-FIA when a project is created. The programOrder.xml.bak file is an automatic backup file of the programOrder.xml file. |
NB_project.projection | ASCII text file created by HEC-FIA when the projection for the project is set. Contains the projection information for the HEC-FIA project. The *.bak file is an automatic backup file of the *.projection file. |
alternatives | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when an alternative is created. |
ALT_CrossSections.alternative ALT_Reconstruction.alternative ALT_Grids.alternative | An XML file that is created by HEC-FIA when an alternative is created. This file contains information on an HEC-FIA alternative. |
fia | Sub-directory copied by HEC-FIA for a project created in Version 3.0.1 (or older). Contains legacy files that define data items for life loss calculations, global data, and impact area data for life loss calculations. |
ActivityTypeDistributions.dat Global.fdg ImpactArea.lifesim | ActivityTypeDistributions.dat is an ASCII text file that contains user entered information for life loss calculations. |
geographic data | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when geographic data is created. Several sub-directories are created: |
inundation data | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when inundation data is defined. Also, created are sub-directories depending on which inundation type is selected - CCP only; cross sections only configuration; grids cross sections configuration; grids only configuration; holdouts cross sections, holdouts grids, and Holdout - RAS HDF. |
inventory | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a structure inventory is created. Several sub-directories are created: |
layouts | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a project is created. This folder contains the saved layouts for the Desktop Pane. |
maps | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a project is created and is used to store map layers and GIS coverages associated with a project. It is strongly encouraged that all maps (of any type) related to the HEC-FIA project be added to this directory. When adding map layers to a HEC-FIA, maps are the location where the maps are copied (Select Map Layer to Add dialog box with Create Copy option selected). |
runs | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a simulation is created. Contains sub-directories that are created (with name of alternative that is associated with the simulation) for each simulation that is computed. All HEC-FIA results are stored to this directory. |
shared | Sub-directory created by the HEC-FIA when a study is created. This folder is a place to store files that might be used by the study. |
simulation | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a simulation is created. |
Reconstruction.simulation | ASCII text file created by HEC-FIA when a simulation is created. Contains the name and description of the simulation, the name of the associated HEC-FIA alternative, event name, and the time window name. |
study | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA for a project created in Version 3.0.1 (or older). Contains legacy database files (*dbf, *dbt, *.mdx) that contain the data when creating measures, impact areas, and common computation points. |
time windows | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a Time Window is created. |
TimeWindow.timewindow | ASCIISerializer text file created by HEC-FIA when a time window is created. Contains the name and description of the time window, and the start and end dates of the time window. The *.bak file is an automatic backup file of the *.timewindow file. |
warning issuance scenario | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a Warning Issuance Scenario is created. |
watershed | Sub-directory created by HEC-FIA when a project is created. Sub-directories are created for each HEC-FIA watershed element that is defined – computation points, reservoirs, storage areas, stream alignments, terrain grids, watershed configurations, and cross sections. |