Rational Method for Estimating Runoff
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Rational Method
The rational method consists of estimating flows based on a subdivision of the watershed.
fluent in sectors A1, A2, ..., Aj, ... An limited by isochrone lines such as water
falling on sector A1 (respectively A2, .....Aj, ...., An) reaches the outlet at the end
of a time interval ∆t (respectively 2∆t, ….., n∆t). The time step ∆t that separates two isochrones
consecutive depends on the desired precision (isochrones: lines located at the same distance)
hydraulics, that is to say at the same time of travel to the outlet).
Let's assume that the downpour lasts 1 minute, that its intensity is I and that in each area of
surface Aj delimited by two neighboring isochrones, the runoff coefficient Cj remains
constant.
The flow rate q1At the end of 1 min is C1.I.A1
The flow q2after 1 to 2 minutes is C2.I.A2
The flow qn from n-1 to n minutes is [Link]
If the downpour lasts 2 minutes with the same intensity I, we add to the elementary hydrogram a
identical hydrogram delayed by 1 minute.
The maximum flow limit Qlfor the uniform downpour of intensity I will be obtained when the duration
The said rainfall will be equal to or greater than the concentration time tc of the basin: tc = n mn.
Beyond the instant tc, the flow at the outlet will remain constant until the end of the rain and equal to
the sum of debits.
Ql = q1+ q2+ q3…. + qn
n
∑ j
Q= C.I.A j
j =1
For a catchment area of surface A and runoff coefficient C receiving rainfall
of intensity I, the flow Q is:
Q= C.I.A
The intensity of precipitation I (in mm/h) is determined from the intensity-duration curves.
frequency for a duration equal to the time of concentration.
I = H / tc
with
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H: maximum total height of precipitation recorded over a duration equal to
concentration time.
tc: concentration time.
The concentration time can be calculated using Ventura's formula:
A
tc= m.
I
where
I: average slope of the main Thalweg (m/m)
m: coefficient that varies according to the physical characteristics of the basin,
we take m = 0.1272
This method raises criticisms, the main ones being as follows:
• The decomposition of the basin into isochrone areas cannot be done precisely.
• We assume Cj is constant, which is unlikely
• We do not take into account the runoff storage on the basin, which has the effect
to extend the base duration of the elementary hydrogram and correspondingly,
reduce peak flow: everything happens in the application of the method, as if
the runoff from a given point flowed to the outlet in a
time equal to the duration of the downpour that produces it, which is not accurate.
Moreover, to take into account the distribution of rain in space, it is necessary to
apply a distribution coefficient K of the rain that decreases as one moves away from
the epicenter.
The correction coefficient K is given according to Fruhling's law by:
• For long basins (narrow rectangle, Width≤0.5 length, width =A/L)
K= 1 − 0.006d
• For gathered basins (Width > 0.5 length)
K= 1 − 0.005 2.d
• The general form that is independent of the shape is:
K= 1 − 0.0046 2.d
d: distance between the point in question and the center of the basin.
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Example 2:
Let it be a watershed with an area of 10 hectares, with a runoff coefficient of 0.35 and of
length 60 m.
What is the runoff rate given that the intensity of the rain is specified by:
5230
i(mm/h)=
t(mn)+ 30
The slope Ip = 0.05 and K = 1
L
tc= t3=
11Ip
Solution 2:
L 60
tc = t3= = = 24.39 million≈ 24mn
11Ip11 0.05
5230
Qmax when t = tc Ö i(mm/h)= = 96.85
24+ 30
96,85x10−3
Q= C.I.A= 0.35x x105= 0.94m3/s
3600
Example 3:
The flow of example 1 is transmitted through a pipe with a length of 200m. What is the flow at the
end of the driving?
L L
tc= t3+ t1= + ; V=1m/s
11Ip V
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Solution3 :
L L 60 200
tc= t3+ t1= + = + = 24.39+ 3.33= 27.72 million≈ 28mn
11Ip V 11 0.05 60(m/mn)
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Qmax when t = tc Ö i(mm/h)= = 90.17
28+ 30
90.17 times 10−53
Q= C.I.A= 0.35x x10 = 0.88m3/s
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Example 4: Urbanized basin (k = 1):
4
−
At point 1: tc= t2= I p Ip 11
= 0.01
4
− L
At points 2, 3, 4: tc= t2+ t1= I p+ V=1m/s
11
V
Solution 4 :
• At point 1:
4
−
tc= t2= I p 11 with Ip = 0.01
C = C1 = 0.30
A = A1 = 2ha = 2.10-4m2
4
−
tc= t2= 0.01= 5.34
11 million
5230
i(mm/h)= = 147,99
5,34 + 30
147,99x10−3
Q(1)= C.I.A= 0.30x x2.104= 0.246m3/s
3600
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• At point 2:
4
− L(1− 2) 100
tc= t2+ t1= I p + 11 = 5.34+ = 5.34+ 1.67= 7mn
V 60
5230
i(mm/h)= = 141.35
7+ 30
C1.A+ C2 .A 20.30x2+ 0.25 times 3
C= 1 = = 0.27
A+
1
A2 2+ 3
A =A1 + A2 = 2 + 3 = 5ha
141,35x10−3
Q(2)= C.I.A= 0.27x x5.104= 0.53m3/s
3600
• At point 3:
4
− L(1− 3) 250
tc = t2+ t1= I p+ 11 = 5.34+ = 5.34+ 4.17= 9.51 million
V 60
5230
i(mm/h)= = 132.38
9.51+ 30
C1 .A 1+ C 2.A 2+ C 3.A 3 0.30x2+ 0.25x3+ 0.15x1.5
C= = = 0.24
A1+ A2+ A3 2+ 3+ 1.5
A = A1 + A2 + A3 = 2 + 3 + 1.5 = 6.5 ha
132.38x10−3
Q(3)= C.I.A= 0.24x x6,5.104= 0.57m3/s
3600
• At point 4:
4
− L(1− 4) 450
tc= t2+ t1= I p+ 11 = 5.34+ = 5.34+ 7.5= 12.84 million
V 60
5230
i(mm/h)= = 122.08
12.84+ 30
C1.A+ C2 .A 2+ C3 .A+ C4 .A 40.30x2+ 0.25x3+ 0.15x1.5+ 0.05 x 1.8
C= 1 3 = = 0.20
A+
1
A2+ A+3
A4 2+ 3+ 1.5+ 1.8
A = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4 = 2 + 3 + 1.5 + 1.8 = 8.3 ha
122.08 times 10−3 4
Q(4)= C.I.A= 0.20x x8,3.10 = 0.56m3/s
3600
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Summary table of results
Point No. A (ha) C tc (mn) I (mm/h) Q (m3/s)
1 2 0.30 5, 34 147,99 0.264
2 5 0.27 7 141.35 0.53
3 6 ,5 0.24 9.51 132.38 0.57
4 8.3 0.20 12.84 122.08 0.56
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