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Simulating Runoff Using the Method of Characteristics with Unsteady Rainfall Events

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2011

C.-M. Wu  and
S.-C. Chen
C.-M. Wu*
Affiliation:
Construction and Disaster Prevention Research Center, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan 407, R.O.C.
S.-C. Chen*
Affiliation:
Department of Soil and Water Conservation, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan 402, R.O.C.
*
* Research Assistant Professor
** Professor
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Abstract

This investigation presents the solution of kinematic wave equations for overland flow, in which the lateral term is determined from unsteady rainfall and the infiltration φ index model [1], in which the rate of abstractions is constant, yielding an excess rainfall hyetograph with a total depth that equals the depth of direct runoff over the watershed. Lateral inflow is inferred by the unit step function to represent an unsteady rainfall event; the solution uses the method of characteristics. Part of the discharge hydrograph that satisfies the boundary condition is semi-analytically solved, by a reduced, simple procedure, which does not require the use of numerical method such as finite difference. The analysis presented herein this investigation deals with both rising and falling stages. Example calculations, water surface profiles, and discharge hydrographs are also presented.

Keywords

Kinematic waveunit step functionunsteady lateral inflow
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Mechanics , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , September 2005 , pp. 171 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, R.O.C. 2005

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