JC)lqU,AL

Vol

XXI

OF !\PPLIEIl

HYIlROLOC;Y

No I 8: 2. 21111X. IW XX - 100

DEVELOPMENT OF INTENSITY DURATION FREQUENCY

CURVES USING L-MOMENT AND GIS TECHNIQUE
R. Venkata Ramana', B. Chakravorty', N.R.SamaIl, N.G. Pandey' and P. Mani'
, CFMS, NIH, Phulwarishrif, Patna - 801 505
1 NIT, Patna-800 004

The rainfall Intensity Duration Frequency (lDF) relationship is one of the most commonly
used tools in water resources engineering for planning, designing or operation of water
resources projects. The establishment of such relationship was done in 1932. Since then,
many sets of relationships have been developed in different parts of the globe. In the present
paper rainfall dada of 14 raingauge stations of Punpun basin located in Bihar was taken for
regional rainfall frequency analysis based on L-moment approach facilitated to find the robust
distribution for these daily raingauge stations having data availability of 9-17 years. The
robust distribution was used to find the IDF relationship and curves for short duration rainfall
for Punpun basin. from the IDF curves parameters of empirical equations for the gauged
locations were determined and contour maps were generated. IDF curves for ungauged
locations were developed from the generated contour maps using GIS and finally a generalized
IDF curve incorporating return period and the duration of rainfall for particular station was
developed.

The intensity duration frequency (IDF) relationship of heavy storms is one of the most important hydrologic
tools utilized by water resource engineers for planning, designing and operation of water resources projects.
Local IDF equations are estimated on the basis of rainfall intensities abstracted from the rainfall depths of
different durations observed at rainfall gauging station. In some regions, there may exist a number of
raingauges operating sufficiently for long time to yield a reliable estimation of IDF relationships. But in
most of the regions, SRRG data are either non-existent or their sample sizes are too small. Daily precipitation
data is the most accessible and available source of rainfall information. Thus for regions where data at
short time interval are not available, it is necessary to derive IDF characteristics of short duration events
from the daily rainfall statistics. The establishment of such relationships was done as early as in 1932
(Bernard, 1932). Since then, many sets of relationships have been developed for several parts of the globe.
But, such maps with rainfall intensity contours were not developed for many developing countries.
Hershfield (1961) developed various rainfall contours maps to provide the design rain depths for various
return periods and durations. Bell (1969) proposed a generalized IDF formula using the one hour, 10 years
rainfall depths (P,IO) as an index. Chen (1983) further generalized the formulae for any location in the
United States using three base indices ofraindepthsP,IO'P2~1O,p,lOowhich describe the geographical variation
of rainfall. Koutsoyiannis et al. (1998) developed a mathematical relationship between the rainfall intensity
i, the duration d, and the return period T for IDF curves.
This paper proposes the approach of formulation and development of IDF curves using rainfall records of
Punpun basin using empirical equations best suited for the basin. Normally rainfall intensity duration
frequency relationship is derived from the network of daily rainfall records of the Punpun basin. Also the
parameters of the regional IDF formulas are generated for ungauged areas to estimate the rainfall intensity

lor various return period and duration using L-moment approach. The method proposed in this study has
heen applied to ungauged rainfall locations and verified on dummy station (arbitrarily
proposed!. Also an
effort has been made to develop generalized
IDF formula with daily rainfall depths and return period.
The following three steps have been developed
(i) Identification
of the best robust distribution
for the
['unpun basin using with L-moment approach, (ii) Development
ofIDF curves at 14 stations using empirical
functions, and (iii) Develop the generalized
IDF equation for a particular location.

L-moments are defined

to outliers and virtually
including identi fication
of a random variable X

"

p,I ..1

useful

special

= E

Particularly

as liner combinations
of Probability Weighted Moments (PWMs). They are robust
unbiased for small samples, making them suitable for rainfall frequency analysis,
of distribution
and parameter estimation. Greenwood
et al., (1979) defined PWMs
with cumulati ve distribution
function F(X) by equation (1).

X p

Y }{ 1 -

(X

F ( X s )}

(1)

cases

are the probability

distrlhution
that has a quantile function
forp=/
and.l = 0, Eq.(l) gives

Ii,

0=

dX

{F (X

Y }] =

fX

weighted

moments

ar = Ml.o.rand fJr Ml.r.O

.Ior a

X(ll),

(II )11 ' dll

The first four L-moments,

expressed

as liner combination

of PWMs,

are:

AI = fJo
A:. = 2fJI

fJo

6fJ:. - 6fJ, + 6fJo

A,

,,1.4

= 20/3,

- 30fJ:. + 12fJ1

fJo

Where \ (L-mean) is a measure of central tendency, 1..2 (L-standard

deviation)
is a measure of dispersion.
Their ratio ).)1..1 is termed as L-CV (L-coefficient
of variation), whereas the ratio, ').,-/1..2 is referred to as T,
(L-skewness),

and the ratio

1../\

is referred

to as

'4 (L-kurtosis).

Once frequency is known, the maximum rainfall intensity is determined

using the best robust distribution
function (e.g. Generalized Extreme Value (GEV), Generalized Logistic (GLO), Generalized
Normal (GNO),
Pearson type-II (PE3 by using the L-moments
approach of the basin. The rainfall intensities
for each
durations and a set of selected return periods (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 years etc.) are calculated.
The
empirical formulas (Section)
are used to construct the rainfall IDF curves. The least-square
method is
applied to determine
relationships.

the parameters

of the empirical

IDF equation

that is present

intensity-duration-

frequency

The IDr formulas are the empirical equations representing

a relationship among maximum rainfall intensity
(as dependent
variable)
and other parameters
of interest such'as
rainfall duration
and frequency
(as
independent
variables). There are several commonly
used functions found in the literature of hydrology

applications
relationship

(Chow et aI., (988), four basic forms of equations

are summarized
as follows:

used to describe

the rainfall

intensity

duration

1=---

d +b

1=-

dl'

a
dl' +b

1=

where I is the rainfall intensity (mm/hr);

related to the metrological
conditions.

(d+h)"
d is the duration

(minutes);

a, b, and e are the constant

paramctcrs

These empirical equations show rainfall duration for a given return period. All these functions arc widely
used in hydrological
applications.
The least-square
method is applied to determine
the parameters
oj
empirical lDF equations that are used in this study. The values of parameters
were choosed on the basis of
minimum Root Mean
analysis and

Regionalization
The rainfall

Square

Error

of the Para~eter

lDF curves

are derived

(RMSE)

between

the IDF relationships

produced

by the frequency

of Rainfall Intensity Duration Frequency Equation

from the point rain gauges.

A set of IDF curves

were established.

We

need the IDF curves of Punpun basin for which SRRG data is required. But the network of ORG stations
for daily records is available
in higher density than SRRG records in the basin. Thus the regional lDF
formula parameters are generated for ungauged areas to estimate rainfall intensity for various return period
and duration. The method Iproposed in this study had reasonable and good agreement
to ungauged rainfall
locations, which was verified. After determining
the parameters
of IDF formula such a, b, and e for the
same return period using Arc View/GIS interpolation
and were generated contour maps of each parameter.
The generated map of the parameter
was then used for ungauged rainfall station. Now it is possible to
estimate the parameter set of any point in the basin for estimation
of IDF relations.

Generalized Rainfall Intensity Duration Frequency Formula

A set of intensity duration frequency (lDF) curves constitute a relation between the intensity of precipitation
(mm/hr), the duration of the rainfall (min) and the return period (how frequent this event occ'urs) of an
event and is defined by the inverse of the annual exceedance
probability
which is expressed as:

where i is the rainfall

return period (years).
According

intensity

to Koutsoyannis

(mm/hr),

d is the duration

of the rainfall

et al. (1998) the IDF curve is a mathematical

(min)

and the return

relationship

between

period

Tis

the rainfall

intensity I, the duration d, and return period T(eljui\alent

as frequl:ncy),
fhe typical IOF relationship
for a specific
formula given by I(outsoyannis
('I (//. (Equ:12l

to the annu~tllll'ljUency
ot'cxcl:l:dancl:
or simply
return period is a special case of the generalized

(/

I=---~

(d'

by

where a. h. e and v are non negative coefficients,

Thus, the generalized
equation: with v= I and e= I forms
Talbot equation; v= I and b=O is Bernard equation; e= I is Kimijima equation and v= I is Sherman equation.
This empirical expressioJrn is the outcome of the experiences gathered fi'om several studies. The corresponding
errors associated
with the equation (12) assuming v= I has been studied numerically
that simplified
by
equation (13)

1=

(d +h)'

Ilknn (1969)

proposed

a generalized

tw'(\]) generalized
[OF relationships
geographical
variation of rainfalL

pi'
d

-,

(')

=.)

-4 ~(II

0-0

25

IDF formula
for high

using

PliO.

intensity

P21~O,md P I!)!)
I

short

duration

Bell developed

rainfall

which

the following

also

takes

care of

(5<d<120min)

-.)

~>IJ

pI

-1u = 0!..21111T + 0.52

(2d"Td"l

00 years)

~I

Bell (I 96')i and Chen (I 98G)) fTwtr1l:her

simplified
the modlifiiJed form is given; beUow.

and generalized

the above

expression

(equ.

14 & 15) and

where T is the return period, d is the rainfall duration;

is a constant return periodl as the base value; dl a
constant rainfall duraliiion. f/ is the rainfall intensity with a return period (T) and rainfall duration d (min),

I,;: is the rainfall intensity

P return period and a base d1minute

return period and assumed

to be the ratio of

d.f

(d) is a function

not depend
Bell (1969),

of only duration

on the return period

Chen (1983)

as the ratio of

I,;

and

dand

to

1,;1 . Here

assumed

duration,

the function

t; (T) is a functi~n

does not depend

to be the ratio of I,~ to

I,;l'

of only

on the duration

Here the function

does

T.

and Koutsoyiannis

1,;1

I,;

rainfall

to proposed

el a/. (1998)

the following

proposed

the function

of the return

period

I/l')

/'(1')=

Andf~

I:

. I

['

I: =c+Aln(1')
T
Idl '

II!

(eI) is the ratio of I~ and I~, which is the function

t, Cd) =

IT
_,_I

. -

I,~,

After combining
can be written

IT
_,_I

= __

(;,'

(d

equation

duration

a__

+ b)"

(16), (17) and (18), the generalized

formula

of rainfall

intensity

and frequency

as

I,; = II; (c + A In(T))

I!

The Punpun

of rainfall

(d+br

basin lies between

latitude

2411 to 25"OO N and longitude

84"10 to 85"20 E, It is located

on the right bank of the river Ganga and bounded by the Sone river system on its west and Kiul-HaroharFalgu river system in the east. On its northern side, it is the river Ganga and on its southern side, bounded
by Chotonagpur
shown

hills, The drainage

map of Punpun

river basin with the locations

of rain gauge stations

in Fig, 1.
H

+
/~PI.

"/1';urthaMal<dam

/'.
/

G~lh

<

Tekan
"

Fig, 1. Location of the rain gauge stations in the Punpun basin

is

intensity /, the duration d, and return period T(equivalcnt

as frequency).
fhe typical IDF relationship
for a specific
formula given by J(outsoyannis
1'1 (II. (Equt 12)

to the annu~li fll'quellcy of ex ceeda nee or simply

return period is a special case of the generalized

1=---'--

(d' +h)'

where a, h, l' and v are non negative coefficients.

Thus, the generalized
equation: with v= I and e= I forms
Talbot equation; v= I an:d b=O is Bernard equation; e= I is Kimij ima equation and v= I is Sherman equation.
This empirical expressio'" is the outcome of the experiences gathered fi'om several studies. The corresponding
errors associated
with the equation (12) assuming v= I has been studied numerically
that simplified
by
equation (13)

l=---~

(d +h)'
llkllll (1969)

proposed

a generalized

IDF relationships
variation of rainfall.

UW:'J) generalized

gco:graphical

pi'
~I

(')

,J-4/(.

1125

0-0
,)

IDF formuta
for high

using PliO,

intensity

p,-I~I

short

and

duration

PIIIIII .

Bell developed

rainfall

which

the following

also takes

care

of

(5<d<120min)

~'II

pi

-'fo = 0),.21111T + 0,52

(2d"Td"1 00 years)

~I

Bell (190,91) and Chen (193;])) fwrlther simplified

the mod!i:ffiIediform is giVC11:bellow.

JI
_,_I

and generalized

the above

expression

(equ,

14 & 15) and

=.l;(T).I~(d)

1,1,
,JI

where T is the return p1eriod, d is the rainfall duration;

is a constant return period! as the base value; ((I a
constant rainfall dura11iion.
is the rainfall intensity with a retum period (7) and rainfall duration d (min).

J/

I':d is the rainfall

intensity

return period and assumed

d.t: (d) is a function

not depend
Bell (1969),

r return

to be the ratio of

of only duration

on the return period

Chen (1983)

as the ratio of

I,~

period and a base dl minute

and

to

J,~I , Here

d and assumed

duration.

the function

to be the ratio of

f I (T) is

a functi~n

does not depend

!,~to 1,;1'

of only

on the duration

Here the function

does

T.

and Koutsoyiann

J,~' to

I,~

rainfall

proposed

is el al. (1998)

the following

proposed

the function

of the return

period fiT)

f (T)

. I

= I~ = I~ = c + A In(T)
r'
r'

1/,

Id,

Andf~ (d) is the ratio of I~' and I~, which is the function of rainfall duration

f
.2

(d) = ~
IT

IT

ii'

_d_

T'
I d'

(d+b)'"

After combining equation (16), (17) and (18), the generalized formula of rainfall intensity and frequency
can be written as

I,'~ =

I'; (c+Aln(T))
d

(d+b)"

The Punpun basi n lies between latitude 24 11 to 2S"OO N and longitude 84" 1O to 85"20 E. It is located
on the right bank of the river Ganga and bounded by the Sone river system on its west and Kiul-HaroharFalgu river system in the east. On its northern side, it is the river Ganga and on its southern side, bounded
by Chotonagpur hills. The drainage map of Punpun river basin with the locations of rain gauge stations is
shown in Fig. 1.
H

40

I""""~""

__ ""~~~~""

40

80 hilometers
iiii=aiiiii

Fig. 1. Location of the rain gauge stations in the Punpun basin

It is a preliminary screening test of the data set by discordance measures (0). Hosking and Wallis (1997)
defined the discordance measure (D) forN sites of the group by equation (7) where ui

[t (i)t (i)t (i)

2

is a vector containing the sample L-moment ratios t2, t,. and t~ values (of each site) for i sites, analogous to
their regional valves termed as t1, t, and t~.T denotes transpose of a vector of matrix.

D,

=-

N(u; - u)A

_I

(ui

1I1

u)

where,

= N-

Lu

;=1

The site 'i' is declared to be discordant, if Di is grater than the critical value of the discordance statistics Di,
given in a tabular form by Hosking and Wallis (1997).

If the variability of the cloud of points on a plot of L-CV versus L-skewness and/or L-skewness versus Lkurtosis is large, the possibi Iity that they do not belong to a single population. This can be tested by means
of the L-moment heterogeneity tests. The L-moment test for heterogeneity fits a four-parameter Kappa
distribution to the regional data set, which generates a series of 500 equivalent regions data by numerical
simulation and compares the variability of the L-statistics of the actual region to those of the simulated
series. Three heterogeneity statistics can be employed to test variability of three different L-statistics: HI
for L-CV, H1 for the combination of L-CV and L-skewness and H, for the combination of L-skewness and
L-kurtosis. The HI statistics has much better discrimination power than H1 and H, statistics (Hosking and
Wallis1997).The general form of H-statistics is given by equation (9).

H = (Vobs

fJ.v)/

av

where Ilv and 0v are mean and standard deviation of the simulated values of V. V obs is the observed dispersion,
calculated from the regional data and is based on a corresponding V-statistics in terms of L-moment ratio
t, defined by equations (10 and 11).

tR

= LI1,t(i)
1=1

/Ll1i
i=l

The H-statistics indicate that the region under consideration is homogeneous

when H< 1; possibly
homogeneous when 1$ H< 2; and definitely heterogeneous when H;::: 2. The details L-statistics including
the value of discordance measure are given in Table 1. It was found that the Di values for 14 sites vary from

to l.SS. all ()I" \\hlch arc less than the LTitll'al f) \:t1ucs (II" ~.'nJ I!loskilli' :llld \\';dlisJl)Ij/]
hl,tcro('cneitv measures IH), computed using the data of 14 rain (,augc sitcs (If I'unpun hasin was 1"(1I111l11,
thall 1,0. S IIlCC II< I . the regIon may he treatcd as honHlgencous.

O.O')

..
(

\\ Ii

S\.

Name of the rain

gauge locations

\\ ,I

Mean
annual
ma ximum
rainfall
(mm)

L-CY
(t2)

L-CS
(1:\ )

L-CK
(t.l)

1'01

Sample
S17

(Years)

crl

Dlscoldall
mcas 11](','
(/),

Tli

\ ;\

Chatapur

98.79

0.2671

0.0489

0,0902

13

o SO

dl'

Tekari

74,16

0,3381

0.2656

0.2802

13

u:~;

dl;

Punpun

89.10

0.2423

0.0158

0.1602

12

0.'1'1

4
.5

Aurangahad

114.49

0.1966

0.1735

0.1817

17

() / \

raluah

101.36

02183

0.28.5

0.3.546

',11

Ibrthargall.l

10424

02~27

0.2995

0.1902

16

Karpi

87.73

0.3166

0.0477

0.0240

13

f)

Nahinagar

82.83

0.2707

0.3815

0.2436

13

Of,

Inunganj

107.03

0.2990

0.3031

0,2228

12

Ole:

I 10
I. I!
I. ' ,

10

KUltha

79.97

03675

0.2842

0.1128

12

11

Sherghali

117.35

0.2626

0.3499

0,0984

15

12

Obra

88.92

0.1991

0.1121

0.2937

13

13

GJh

100.88

0,2892

0.2284

0.1620

13

14

Makdampur

113.32

0.2152

0.1496

0,1920

14

'd

.
(WI

() 1(,

Selection of best~flt distribution: Generally goodness of fit measure is used to evaluall' tlJ(' ',lIll.d"llI\ "I
data of a particular site to be consistent with the fitted probability distribution
fUIlCliol1 II, ,',11111'1111<1
Wallis 1997 found that L-moment ratio diagram and Z-statistic are the two criteria which 1,111I'" lilt! \ III'
bcst-fit distribution
suitable for a region. L-moment ratio diagram compare salllj'!<' ,".1111111. "I II"
dimensionless
L-moment ratios. The Z-statistic is defined by equation (26).

where the superscript 'DIST' refer to a particular distribution,

of t. (L-kurtosis) respectively, which is defincd by equations

b. and

S4

(27, 28).

\ ;1

l() II,

()

1'0

are thc hias alld \1.111",11"01011<\111111

T:
ell

where N",,, is the number of simulated regional data sets generated using Kappa distribution in a similar
way as for the heterogeneity
statistics, the subscript m denotes the mil' simulated region. The distribution
for which Zl)ISI value is very close to zero will be declared the best fit distribution. However, a reasonable
criterion is I Zl)IS I I :s: 1.64.
The Zl)lsr statistic for the various distributions is ~iven Table 2. It is observed that the I Zl)lsr I statistic
value are lower than 1.64 for the four distributions namely GLO. GEY. CiNO, and PE-lII. Further, for GLO
distribution
I Zl)IST I value (0.29) is found to be very close to zero. Thus, based on the L-moment ratio
diagram as well as I ZOIST I statistic criteria, the GLO distribution is identified as the robust distribution
for Pun pun basin. The values of the regional parameters for the distributions, which have I ZDIST I statistic
value less than 1.64 are given in Table 3,
Table 2:

ZDlST

statistic values for various

distributions
Distributio
S\..
n
GLO
:2
GEV
,
.' GNO
4
PE 111

illS!

statistic
0.29
-0.7
-0.97
-1.51

S =0.911

S =0.772
S =0.902
/l =1.000

The GLO distribution was identified as the robust distribution

function of the G LO distribution is expressed as equation (28).

u. =0.2':+3
ex =0.356
a =0.429
0=0.488
for Punpun

=-0.210
K =-0.061
K =-0.434
y = 1.269
K

basin. The regional

quantile

The values of regional parameters of the GLO distribution for Punpun basin were found to be S=0.911,
a =0.243, and K=-0.210 and substituting these values in the equation 29.
f(x)

= -0.246 + 1.157(_1_)-UlI0
T-I

The GLO probability model is used to calculate the rainfall intensity at different durations and return
periods to forms the historicallDF
curves for each station. Using the GLO distribution function, maximum
rain t~tli intensity for considered durations and 2,5, 10,20,50, J 00,200 years return periods, have determined.
The results are shown in figure2.
The relationship between the maximum rainfall intensities and the
duration for ever return periods are determined by fitting empirical functions.
The IDF curves for 14 stations were constructs by using equations (7) to (10): Talbot, Bernard,.Kimijima
and Shennan. Least-square method is applied to determine the parameter for empirical IOF equations used
to present intensity-duration
relationships. The value of parameter in the rainfalll OF equations were chosen
on the minimum of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between the lOr: relationships
produced by the
fi'equency analysis and the simulated by the lDF equations. The RMSE (mc,1I1SljLWre error) was defined as

2..: 2..:
III

II

j~lk

where

III

l,~ - I,~*

)"

--I

is the number of various rainfall durations,

11

is the number of various return periods, li~ is tt1l'

rainfall intensity derived by GLO distribution fori hour duration, k year return period at the i station, and

l,~* is the rainfall intensity estimated by Equation for j hour duration, k year return period at the i station

IIU"."""
>.

z
]
.5

----._~_._._--~---~---------------;
ItlllU
I

l__

__ J

Fig. 2. Maximum rainfall intensity for different time intervals and return periods obtained from the GLO
distribution at Tekari station

I~~----14

------1

12

~
g

....
~
.."

10

""
g

;j

I
'1

Ii
;:;

2
0
0

50

250

Retul11 PCliod (yca.-s)

~~~~~;;~;=-B;'~;;"d~~

Comparison among the four empirical methods (Equ.7 to 10) for 1DP formula wcrc madc and found that
KimiJima equation (Equ.9) minimum Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) as shown in the figure 3 and fitted
wcll. Thus for all the rain gauge stations of Punpun basin, the parameters of the KimiJima equation were
determined for 100 year return period (table 4) that has Root Mean Square Error (RIvlSE) ranging 5.636 to
8.000 mm/hr and its wrrelation coefficient R is approximated 0.98. The results are that the Kimijima
equation is acceptable and fit to the 1DF relationship in Punpun basin. The RMSE with Kimijima equation
are less than 8.000 mm/hr.

Name of the rain

SI.

i)
j

gauge locations

Coefficient

RMSE

Chatapur

20796.68

20.00

0.989

0.992

6.224

Tekmi

15881.21

26.00

0.959

0.981

6.024

Punpun

17082.00

20.00

0.949

0.986

6.399

Aurangabad

24719.30

20.00

0.989

0.992

6.224

Fatuah

19433.00

20.00

0.949

0.988

6.960

Haliharganj

19403.00

18.00

0.949

0.986

7.279

Karpi

16868,00

20.00

0.950

0.986

6.261

Nabinagar

16851.25

24.00

0.950

0.981

6.706

Immganj

22401.00

23.00

0.965

0.986

7.674

10

Kurtha

15466.30

20.00

0.952

0.986

5.636

11

Sherghati

26458.59

22.00

0.996

0.991

6.588

12

Obra

17182.00

24.00

0.988

0.977

8.000

13

COh

19809.62

20.00

0.956

0.986

6.930

14

Makdampur

24804.25

22.00

0.994

0.989

6.856

After determining the parameter of a, band e of IDF formula for the same return period interpolation
techniques were applied to generate contour maps using GIS Arc- View.
The parameter contour maps and the IDF relation has been generalized for further use to estimate intensity
duration of rainfall in ungauged locations with various return periods. The results has been applied ungauged
location and found satisfactory. The results has been verified assuming Rafiganj as an ungauged station
The paramcters contours map for Kimijima equation as shown in figure 4.
The rainfall intensity duration frequency at Rafiganj (ungauged) can determine. Parameters set: a= 20000.00,
b= 21.55, 12=0.963. The 1DF curve at Rafiganj can be follow equation for 100 years return period:
a

1=---

d" +b

20000.000
dO 963 + 21.550

+
~
~
E

",

100

.~

I(i)

10

10

10000

Fig. 4 parameter contours of Kimijima equation with 100 years return period and IDF curves at
ungauged point. i) contour map of a ii) contour map of b iii) contour map of e and iv) Rainfall IDF
curves at Rafiganj (ungauged location) using parameters contour maps

The function~

(T) is the ratio of I,; and

I;t

is the function of the return period (equation 17). The Tekari

station is used to illustrate hoe to define the generalized IDF formula. For this example: r=lOO year as the

base return period. The ratio is of

I,; / I,;

'100

for various duration and return periods are given in Table 5.

The ratio show little variation with duration, and are a function of period.
The table 5: Average
relationship
'-

between rainfall intensity and duration (Ratio of

/1 /11'
d

1(1))
d

same

duration at Tekari station

Return period

I,

(T)

The parameter e is slope value of linear regression relationship

return periods (T) and the ratios of rainfall intensity:

between the log-transformed

values of

Id

Id

I,/

Id /

'J

./1 (T) = -1-'/ = -1-'/ = C + Aln(T) = 0.1697 + 0.18111n(T)

The parameter A

= 0.181l

and

0.1697 with correlation coefficient value

0.995.

The intensity-duration ratios are calculated for each available data. The calculations are made in order to
obtain the average value of the ratios each consideration durations. The ratios 60-minute rainfall intensity
and duration (I;

/1;/060 ) for same return period T. the ratio j2 was fitted by Sherman equation:

The parameter a 62.810, b= 16.000 and e=O.956 with con'elation coefficient value r=0.992. Combing equation
(32), (33) the generalized Intensity Duration Frequency formula at Tekari station, with rainfall intensity in
60 minute and 100 years is 206.981 mm/hr, gives

Id

= 206.981(0.1697

+0.18111nT)

62.810

Cd + 16.00)

0956

..

2206.180 + 2354.3 861n T

(d + 16.00)0956

i
I

The rainfall intensity can calculate from (35) equation for any duration (d) and return periods (T) at Tekari
station.

The study has been made conducted to the formulation and construction of IDF curves using data from
recording station by using empirical equations, four empirical functions used to represent intensity-DurationFrequency relationship for Punpun basin. Using the L-moment to find out the best robust distribution
(GLO) for rainfall quantiles at various return periods and 3 parameters functions (Kimijima) has been used
to rainfall intensity quartiles.
The regionalization of the parameters of rainfall intensity duration frequency equation was generated for
ungauged area to estimate rainfall intensity for various return period and rainfall duration. The parameters
contours maps were made to estimate ungauged rainfall with return periods. More specifically, this research
is to generalize IDF formula using some base rainfall depth and base return period. In fact, IDF curves give
the rainfall intensity at a point. Storm characteristics are important for larger catchments. Intensity-DurationArea-Frequency curve (IDAF) is studied for the evaluation for design storms using a scaling approach.

Bell, F. C. ,1969. Generalized rainfall duration frequency relationships.

1. o{Hydraulic

Dis., ASCE, 95( I),

311-327.
Chen, C. L., 1983. Rainfall intensity duration-frequency

formulas, 1. o{ Hydraulic

Engineering, ASCE,

109(12),1603-1621.

Wi

Chow, V. T., 1964. Hand book of Applied Hydrology, McGraw-Hill,

New York, 1-1450.

Chow, V. T., Madiment, D. R. & Mays. L. W., 1988. Applied Hydrology, McGraw-Hill,

New York.

Greenwood, 1. A., Landwehr, J. M., Matalas, N. C. and Wallis, J. R., 1979 Probability weighted moments:
Definition and relation to parameter of several distributions expressible in inverse form. Water Resource,l
Research. 15(5), 1049-1054
Hershfield, D.M., 1961. Rainfall Frequencies Atlas of the United States for Durations from 30 Minutes to
24 Hours and Return Periods from I to 100 Years. Technical Paper No. 40. Washington, D.C., U.S.Weather
Bureau
Hosking, J. R. M. and J. R. Wallis., 1997 Regional/i'Nlllency

analysis-An Approach Based on L-Mo/llents.

New York, Cambridge university Press

Koutsoyiannis, D. and Manets, A., 1998. A mathematical framework for studying rainfall intensity-duration
frequency relationships .. J. of Hydrology, 206, 118-135.

I
I~.~.;..'..