Formula Used:
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The Intensity of Precipitation formula calculates the mean intensity of precipitation based on peak discharge, runoff coefficient, and drainage area. This is particularly important in hydrological studies and field applications for water resource management.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the mean intensity of precipitation by considering the relationship between peak discharge, runoff characteristics, and the area contributing to runoff.
Details: Accurate precipitation intensity calculation is crucial for flood forecasting, drainage system design, irrigation planning, and overall water resource management in field applications.
Tips: Enter peak discharge in m³/s, runoff coefficient (between 0 and 1), and drainage area in m². All values must be positive and valid for accurate results.
Q1: What is the significance of the 1/3.6 factor?
A: The 1/3.6 factor is used for unit conversion from mm/hr to m/s in the precipitation intensity calculation.
Q2: How is runoff coefficient determined?
A: Runoff coefficient depends on surface characteristics - impervious surfaces have higher coefficients (0.7-0.95) while permeable surfaces have lower coefficients (0.05-0.35).
Q3: What are typical values for peak discharge?
A: Peak discharge values vary widely based on catchment size, rainfall intensity, and surface characteristics, ranging from less than 1 m³/s for small areas to hundreds of m³/s for large watersheds.
Q4: When is this formula most applicable?
A: This formula is particularly useful for field applications in hydrology, civil engineering projects, and environmental studies where precipitation intensity needs to be estimated from discharge measurements.
Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: The calculation assumes uniform rainfall distribution and may be less accurate for extreme weather events or areas with complex topography.