Rating table

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Rational formula

characteristic may be the depth of ow, gage height, pressure, hydrostatic

head, velocity of approach, or the stage or elevation at or near the location.
See, e.g., spillway rating curve. The rating curve may be a graphical
representation of a rating table. Also called discharge curve, discharge
rating curve, or stagedischarge relationship. In hydraulic modeling,
the rating curve denes ow Q as a function of stage h or elevation above
a datum and may be used as a boundary condition in lieu of ows and
water surface elevations at the downstream boundary. The following equation is sometimes used to dene the rating curve:
Q = ahb

(R-1)

where a and b are empirical coefcients. The rating curve may also be a
representation of any relationship between depth and ow, e.g., the Manning equation. The stagearea and stagestorage relationships are similar
concepts in hydraulic modeling. See Figures D-5 and S-13. Similarly, a
rating table shows the correspondence between two variables over a given
range and is used to graph the rating curve; also called a discharge table.
Rating table A table showing the correspondence between two variables or
quantities. It is called a discharge table when the two variables are discharge and a pertinent hydraulic property.
Rational channel design The determination of the best characteristics (width,
depth, and slope) of a channel to ensure its stability, e.g., by the solution
of a system of three equations in the three variables: a ow equation, a
sediment transport equation, and a third equation. See also extremal
hypothesis.
Rational formula A 19th century formula to calculate the peak runoff discharge
Q (cfs) at a point as a function of rainfall intensity i (in/h), drainage area
A (acres), and a runoff coefcient C (dimensionless):
Q = CiA

(R-2)

The intensity used corresponds to the design recurrence interval and to a

storm duration equal to the time of concentration. The coefcient C
reects the combined effects of land uses, surface storage, imperviousness,
inltration, and evaporation. It may be calculated as a function of the
storm duration t in minutes (McGhee, 1991):
C = 0.175t1/3

(R-3)

C = 0.3 t/(20 + t)

(R-4)

for impervious areas, or

for improved pervious surfaces. The rational formula has no valid basis
but uses the fact that 1 in/h over 1 acre is approximately equal to 1 cfs.
2004 by CRC Press LLC

Rational method

285

RDII equations

Its assumptions are not always valid, e.g., uniform distribution of rainfall
over the drainage area, constant rainfall intensity throughout the storm
duration, peak runoff at a point occurring when the entire area is contributing ow to the point. With Q in m3/s, i in mm/h, and A in hectares, the
equivalent SI formula is:
Q = CiA/360

(R-5)

Rational method A simple, widely used method for computing the peak runoff
rate from a small drainage area, based on the rational formula, e.g., in the
design of storm sewers, culverts, and detention ponds. Recommended
limitations on the size of the drainage area vary, e.g., from 10 acres
(Linsley et al., 1992) to 3 km2 (McGhee, 1991). See SCS runoff equation.
Rav Notation for the average annual runoff in the Stormwater Management Model
(SWMM) Level I formula.
Ravine A small, elongated, deep channel created by the eroding action of running
water. Some ravines ow continuously; others are dry except after a
rainstorm, icemelt, or snowmelt. Ravines are similar to, but larger than,
gullies, rills, or rivulets. See stream.
Raw data Any laboratory worksheets, records, memoranda notes, or exact copies thereof that are the result of original observations and activities of a
study and are necessary for the reconstruction and evaluation of the report
of that study. In the event that exact transcripts of raw data have been
prepared (e.g., tapes that have been transcribed verbatim, dated, and
veried accurate by signature), the exact copy or exact transcript may be
substituted for the original source as raw data. Raw data may include
photographs, microlm or microche copies, computer printouts, magnetic media, including dictated observations, and recorded data from
automated instruments (EPA-40CFR160.3).
Raw sewage, raw wastewater Untreated wastewater and its contents.
Raw water Intake water prior to any treatment or use. Also a water supply source
from a spring, stream, aquifer, or lake.
RDI Abbreviation for rainfall-derived (or dependent) inltration.
RDI/I (or RDII) Abbreviation for rainfall-dependent (or derived) inltration/inow.
RDII development The process of estimating the volume and duration of RDII;
based on rainfall and wastewater ow monitoring data. See Section II for
further information.
RDII equations The equations used to determine RDII ows. RDII hydrographs
are represented by three triangles, and the following formula expresses
the peak ow Qp corresponding to a unit rainfall Q, both in inches, as a
function of the RDII parameters:
Qp = 2(rh)Q/[Tp(1 + rr)]

2004 by CRC Press LLC

(R-6)