Comparison of Different Hydrograph Routing Techniques in XPSTORM Modelling Software: A Case Study

Authors: Fatema Akram, Mohammad Golam Rasul, Mohammad Masud Kamal Khan, Md. Sharif Imam Ibne Amir

Abstract:

A variety of routing techniques are available to develop surface runoff hydrographs from rainfall. The selection of runoff routing method is very vital as it is directly related to the type of watershed and the required degree of accuracy. There are different modelling softwares available to explore the rainfall-runoff process in urban areas. XPSTORM, a link-node based, integrated stormwater modelling software, has been used in this study for developing surface runoff hydrograph for a Golf course area located in Rockhampton in Central Queensland in Australia. Four commonly used methods, namely SWMM runoff, Kinematic wave, Laurenson, and Time-Area are employed to generate runoff hydrograph for design storm of this study area. In runoff mode of XPSTORM, the rainfall, infiltration, evaporation and depression storage for subcatchments were simulated and the runoff from the subcatchment to collection node was calculated. The simulation results are presented, discussed and compared. The total surface runoff generated by SWMM runoff, Kinematic wave and Time-Area methods are found to be reasonably close, which indicates any of these methods can be used for developing runoff hydrograph of the study area. Laurenson method produces a comparatively less amount of surface runoff, however, it creates highest peak of surface runoff among all which may be suitable for hilly region. Although the Laurenson hydrograph technique is widely acceptable surface runoff routing technique in Queensland (Australia), extensive investigation is recommended with detailed topographic and hydrologic data in order to assess its suitability for use in the case study area.

Keywords: ARI, design storm, IFD, rainfall temporal pattern, routing techniques, surface runoff, XPSTORM.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1093034

References:

[1] J. Guo, "Storm-Water Predictions by Dimensionless Unit Hydrograph,” Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, vol. 132, no. 4, pp. 410-417, 2006.
[2] M. S. Amir, M. M. K. Khan, M. G. Rasul, R. H. Sharma, and F. Akram, "Automatic Multi-Objective Calibration of a Rainfall Runoff Model for the Fitzroy Basin, Queensland, Australia,” International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, no. 3, pp. 311, 2013.
[3] M. P. Wanielista, R. Kersten, and R. Ealgin, Hydrology: water quantity and quality control 2nd ed.: New York : John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
[4] A. U. Syed, A. P. Nejadhashemi, S. Safferman, D. Lusch, J. Bartholic andL. J. Segerlind, "A Coparative Analysisof Kinematic Waveand SCS-Unit HydrographModelsin Semi-arid Watershed” 2012.
[5] A. P. Basnayaka, and R. Sarukkalige, "Comparing Hydrology and Hydraulics Surface Routing Approaches in Modeling an Urban Catchment,” in Proceedings of International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Applications (ICEEA 2011), 2011.
[6] B. Saghafian, and A. R. Shokoohi, "A Corrected Time-Area Technique for One-dimensional Flow,” International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 34-41, 2006.
[7] Y. Xiong, and C. S. Melching, "Comparison of kinematic-wave and nonlinear reservoir routing of urban watershed runoff,” Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 39-49, //, 2005.
[8] M.-S. Yang, D. W. Kull, and A. D. Feldman, "Evolution of Clark's Unit Graph Method to Spatially Distributed Runoff,” Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 89, 01//, 1999.
[9] XPSTORM, "Stormwater Management Model," Getting Started Manual, 2011.
[10] M. S. Amir, M. M. K. Khan, M. G. Rasul, R. H. Sharma, and F. Akram, "Numerical Modelling for the Extreme Flood Event in the Fitzroy Basin, Queensland, Australia,” International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, no. 3, pp. 346, 2013.
[11] E. M. Laurenson, "A catchment storage model for runoff routing,” Journal of Hydrology, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 141-163, //, 1964.
[12] MSMA, "Flow Estimation and Routing," in Urban Stormwater Management Manual, 2013.
[13] M. Amir, M. M. K. Khan, M. Rasul, R. H. Sharma, and F. Akram, "Rainfall, temperature and evaporation trends in the Fitzroy Basin, Queensland, Australia,” in 34th Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, 2012, pp. 19-22.
[14] QUDM, Queensland Urban Drainage Manual, 2013.
[15] F. Akram, M. G. Rasul, M. M. K. Khan, and M. S. I. I. Amir, "Automatic Delineation of Drainage Networks and Catchments using DEM data and GIS Capabilities,” in 18th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Launceston, Australia, 2012.
[16] D. H. Pilgrim, and R. P. Canterford, Australian rainfall and runoff: a guide to flood estimation, 1987, (3rd ed.) ed.: Barton, A.C.T.: Institution of Engineers, Australia.
[17] S. Shrestha, S. Khan, K. Rahman, M. Islam, and A. Rahman, "Investigation of Design Rainfall Temporal Patterns in the Gold Coast Region of Queensland,” Australian Journal of Water Resources, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 49, 2006.
[18] R. E. Horton, "An Approach Toward a Physical Interpretation of Infiltration-Capacity1,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., vol. 5, no. C, pp. 399-417, 1941, 1941.
[19] Hydrology handbook, prepared by Task Committee on Hydrology Handbook of Management Group D of the American Society of Civil Engineers 1996, 2nd ed.: New York : The Society.