Influence of Loss Model on Design Discharge of Homogeneous Plane

Abstract

By applying the kinematic wave method to a homogeneous, rectangular overland plane, the influence of the constant and proportional-loss models on the design discharge are examined. The examination shows that with the use of the proportional-loss model, there is no partial-area effect and the design discharge is governed by the full-area contribution. On the other hand, with the use of the constant-loss model, there is no partial-area effect if the loss rate is small. For larger loss rates, there is a partial-area effect; and for this case, the design is complicated, since there is a need to search for the critical storm that governs the partial-area effect. The characteristic of the critical storm is that its rate of decrease in rainfall intensity with duration equals the corresponding rate of increase in the contributing area. The preceding findings are consistent with the design concept in the rational method that uses the proportional-loss model, and the results from earlier studies that used the constant-loss model.