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the rational method perseveres due to its simplicity and its broad coverage in the
literature
the rational method is what is called a peak discharge design method, we must
here appreciate the difference between a design method and an evaluation
(analysis) method
further, due to the assumptions required, the rational formula is generally limited
to urban watersheds smaller than 200 acres
06-87-471 Hydrology
THE RATIONAL METHOD introduction
in the rational method, the intensity of the design storm is assumed to remain
constant
it is further assumed that of all storms having the same return period, the one
whose duration is equal to the time of concentration would produce the largest peak
discharge
for this reason, in the rational method the design storm duration is set equal to the
time of concentration of the watershed
so now we appreciate if the storm duration is less than the t o c, this means that
the rain will cease prior to the maximum discharge being obtained
alternatively, if the storm duration is larger than the t o c, then equilibrium will be
reached, however, the equilibrium discharge will be smaller for the same return
period as the intensity corresponding to a longer storm duration is less than the one
corresponding to a duration equal to the t o c
06-87-471 Hydrology
THE RATIONAL METHOD introduction to the procedure
the rational method procedure that is frequently applied to determine the design
discharge for a stormwater structure is summarized below
3. set the design storm duration equal to the t o c and determine the design storm
intensity form the IDF curves appropriate for the project site
Qp = C i A - [7]
06-87-471 Hydrology
THE RATIONAL METHOD introduction to the procedure
Qp = C i A - [7]
here
i = rate of rainfall
06-87-471 Hydrology
THE RATIONAL METHOD introduction to the procedure
Qp = C i A - [7]
expression [7] is valid for any consistent set of units, alternatively Qp can be in cfs,
i in inches per hour, and A in acres
the following tables (5.15 and 5.16 in text) present the values of runoff coefficient,
C suggested for 5 to 10 year design storms
it is recommended that higher coefficients be used for less frequent storms having
higher return periods (ASCE 1970)
06-87-471 Hydrology
THE RATIONAL METHOD introduction to the procedure
06-87-471 Hydrology
THE RATIONAL METHOD introduction to the procedure
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES the basics
street gutters, drainage inlets (grate, curb-opening, and slotted), storm sewers,
manholes, junctions, culverts, and surface drainage channels are all examples of
urban stormwater drainage structures
such structures are regular facets of urban infrastructure and must be designed
as such
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES the basics
storm water on a street pavement can interrupt traffic and represents a safety
hazard owing to increased skidding, hydroplaning, and reduced visibility from
splashing
the design objective of pavement drainage systems is to keep the spread of water
over the pavement below an allowable value for a specified return period
generally, the higher the traffic volume, the larger the return period
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES the basics
the following table suggests design return periods and allowable spreads for
various road types
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES the basics
cross slopes of 2% are recommended for most situations since this slope
provides adequate drainage with a significant effect on driver comfort and safety
(cross-slopes beyond 4% should not be used)
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES drainage of street pavements
gutter flow
gutter flow computations are applied to ascertain the flow depth and spread of
water on the shoulder, parking lane, or pavement section under design flow
conditions
the design discharge is often calculated using the rational method (even
though)flow in a gutter is unsteady and non-uniform, we just assume that it is
steady and uniform at the peak design discharge (this is a conservative assumption)
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES drainage of street pavements
for the triangular gutter shown below, the modified Manning’s expression is
written as
Qp = knT8/3Sx5/3SL1/2/2.64n - [8]
or
T = (2.64Qn/knSx5/3SL1/2)3/8 - [9]
here
Q = gutter flow
kn = conversion constant (1.0 m1/3/s (SI) and 1.49 ft1/3/s (US))
T = top width SL = longitudinal bottom slope
n = Manning’s roughness Sx = cross slope
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES drainage of street pavements
y = SxT - [10]
here we also appreciate that [8] can be written in terms of flow depth, y
Qp = knT8/3Sx5/3SL1/2/2.64n - [8]
Q = kny8/3SL1/2/2.64nSx - [11]
A = ½ SxT2 - [12]
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES drainage of street pavements
Q = Qw + Qs - [13]
here
Q = Qs / 1 – E0 - [13]
06-87-471 Hydrology
STORMWATER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES drainage of street pavements
Q = Qs / 1 – E0 - [13]
where
and we have
Sw = Sx + a/W - [15]
y = a + TSx - [16]