Experiments

  • Storm hydrographs from single or multiple storms
  • Storm hydrograph from a previously saturated catchment
  • Storm runoff from an impermeable catchment
  • Effect of a moving storm on flood hydrograph
  • Effect of reservoir storage on flood hydrograph
  • Effect of land drains on flood hydrograph

Specification

  • A unit designed to obtain catchment rainfall and runoff values as functions of time
  • Comprising a bench- or floor-standing tank with two overhead square pattern spray nozzles supplying water via a flow control valve, flow meter and solenoid valve
  • A motor-driven traversing vessel with 17 compartments is moved by timer beneath the outlet at a preselected rate to collect the runoff and provide an immediate display of the hydrograph
  • The tank is 1.2m long x 0.8m wide x 0.2m deep
  • The flow range is 0.4-4.4 l/min.
  • A comprehensive user manual is included in the supply.

Demonstrations are initiated using a gravel-filled tank, which incorporates facilities for supplying water to the surface of the gravel and measuring the runoff. The gravel tank is manufactured in stove enamelled mild steel supported by a painted mild steel frame. The equipment can be bench mounted or free standing on a laboratory floor. Water is supplied to two overhead square pattern spray nozzles via a flow control valve, flow meter and solenoid valve. Detachable see-through curtains around the tank contain any spray. Runoff is conducted to an outlet at one end of the tank. A collection and measuring unit is located near to the outlet from the tank. This comprises a traversing vessel divided internally into 17 storage compartments.

The collecting vessel is mounted on a plinth incorporating a motor drive and central drainage trough. A control console is used to control the traversing vessel and the water supplied to the spray heads. The time each compartment is located under the tank outlet can be preselected and the overall time from the start is displayed. Water collected in the vessel provides an immediate histogram of runoff as a function of time. A range of accessories allows demonstrations of surface reservoir retention, depression storage effect and land drainage. These comprise: Polythene sheet for impermeable catchment Four plastic containers for reservoir storage Permeable pipe for tile drain