Toward A New Rational Method
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 115, Issue 9
Abstract
A revision is proposed in the formulation of the rational method and in the procedure of its application. Two misleading concepts are eliminated: that a watershed has a unique time of concentration equal to the time of flow along the watershed; and that a rainfall event of a given occurrence probability results in a runoff event of the same probability. Based upon laboratory results and field data, a method is proposed that links the peak discharge to the intensity and duration of the causative rainfall, with no explicit reference to a time of concentration. The relationship uses an envelope curve for variables derived from measurable data. Upon application of the relationship to a complete series of rainfalls, subtracting abstractions, a complete series of runoff peaks would be generated. This series is readily suitable for a statistical analysis, similar to that applied to a measured series, from which the design discharge is determined.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 115 • Issue 9 • September 1989
Pages: 1241 - 1255
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 ASCE.
History
Published online: Sep 1, 1989
Published in print: Sep 1989
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