CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Sem/Session 2 2021/2022

Name of Experiment CIVIL ENGINEERING LAB III

(CIVE 3112)

RAINFALL RUNOFF LAB SESSION

Date of Experiment 29 / 03 / 2022

Group 1.HASAN ALI (1915747)

2. MUHAMMAD HANIS BIN AHMAD RIZAL (1913041)

3. MUHAMMAD AFIQ BIN HARRIS FADZILLAH

(1914539)
4. NUR SYAFIQAH BINTI HASHIM (1912424)

5. DAYANA ASYRANI BINTI MAHAMUD (1923320)

Lecturer’s Name

Due Date of Submission 13 / 05 / 2022

Lecturer’s Comment(s)

Lecturer’s Stamp and Sign:

Date Received:
 ABSTRACT

Rainfall Runoff experiments are being conducted to obtain the hydrograph curve that

is caused by various factors that influence the runoff. It helps to study the graphical trends, ro

know the effects of reservoir storage on hydrograph and to the hydrograph curve.The

experiment is done by placing 2 plastic containers (that acts as a reservoir) below two

different sprinklers sprinkles and the valve all sprinkles are turned on allowing water to enter

into the rainfall runoff simulator. Then, the water that enters through the valve of the liquid

collector is recorded and calculated. Thus, resulting in the hydrograph curve. The same steps

are repeated with increasing the number of plastic containers, one for each of the

experiments, which is in total of 3 experiments. Hence, 3 different hydrograph curves are

obtained. Results showed that the lesser number of reservoirs, the steeper the hydrograph

curve. We can see that the reservoir helps in reducing the chance of flood due to its function

which is to store the rain and it also can be used when needed.

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First of all we would like to thank Allah S.W.T for giving me the strength and good

health to complete the study within the stipulated time. We would like to thank our family,

our father, mother, brothers and sisters, for their endless support for me throughout the years.

Without their blessings, it is impossible for me to carry on and finally reach the final stage of

my study.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Izihan bin Ibrahim for he had been

helpful in explaining the technical aspects in this study. Finally, a special thanks to the

lecturers, technical staff and Civil Engineering Department and IIUM community for

continuous support, encouragement, leadership, and opportunity that has been given. Thank

you very much.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT 1
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
LIST OF FIGURES 5

LIST OF TABLES 6
LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATION 7
CHAPTER 1 8
INTRODUCTION 8
1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT 8
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERIMENT 8
1.3 BACKGROUND STUDY 8
CHAPTER 2 10
METHODOLOGY 10
2.1 APPARATUS 10
2.2 ELABORATION OF METHODOLOGY 10
2.2.1 GENERAL START-UP METHODOLOGY 10
2.2.2 EXPERIMENT METHODOLOGY 11
2.2.3 GENERAL SHUT-DOWN METHODOLOGY 11
2.3 FLOWCHART OF METHODOLOGY (PICTURE BASED) 11
CHAPTER 3 12
RESULT 12
3.1 CALCULATION AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULT 12
3.2 EXAMPLE OF MANUAL CALCULATION 16
CHAPTER 4 19
DISCUSSION 19
4.1 RESULT ACCURACY ETC 19
4.2 ERROR 20
4.2.1 SYSTEMATIC ERROR 20

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 4.2.2 RANDOM ERROR 20
CHAPTER 5 21
CONCLUSION 21
CHAPTER 6 22
REFERENCES 22
APPENDIX 23

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Page

2.1 Rainfall Runoff simulator 9

2.2 Measuring Cylinder 9

2.3 Flowchart of Methodology 10

3.1 Hydrograph for 2 reservoir 13

3.2 Hydrograph for 3 reservoir 14

3.3 Hydrograph for 4 reservoir 14

3.5 Combination of hydrograph for all reservoir 15

6.1 Illustration of flood hydrograph 21

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 LIST OF TABLES

Page

3.1 Rainfall Runoff experiment result 11-13

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 LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATION
Page
VX Valve number labelling 9-10

SV02 Timer on control panel 10

LPM Litres per minute 10

Vi Liquid volume of gauge 15

Q Liquid Discharge 15-17

DRH Direct Runoff Hydrograph 15-16

VDR Volume discharge ratio 16-17

Δt Change of time 16-17

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

One of the reasons this experiment is being conducted is to investigate the influence

of various factors that influence runoff patterns. This method is to obtain the hydrograph

curve in order to understand the characteristics of the surface runoff for various factors.

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERIMENT

The objective of this experiment are as follows:

A. to study graphical trends in the hydrograph by varying storage

depression capacities

B. deduce the effects of reservoir storage on a hydrograph.

C. to obtain a hydrograph curve.

1.3 BACKGROUND STUDY

The hydrological cycle is influenced by rainfall-runoff mechanisms. The

necessity to assess the amount of available runoff water at a specific place in order to

meet local demand, as well as the risk of flooding owing to surplus water, has

prompted the movement of the water. This same rainfall-runoff process has been simulated

using a variety of models, including physically based and conceptual models. Few models,

however, can correctly represent this highly nonlinear process due to its complexity. The

rainfall-runoff relationship is a very important component of hydrology. The students have

already gained theoretical knowledge in CIVE 2223 (Water Resources and Hydrology). This

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experiment is intended for the students to use laboratory-scale physical models to investigate

the influence of various factors that influence runoff patterns. In this experiment, the students

will form 5 to 6 groups and each group is supposed to select 1 factor that may influence the

runoff generated from the test catchment.

Each group will prepare its own datasheet, approved by the lab conductor, conduct the

experiment and record the data in the data sheet. The datasheet MUST be signed by the

person in charge, before leaving the lab.

All groups will combine their data, plot the hydrographs in one Figure and analyse the

data to write critical discussion on the variation of rainfall-runoff relations due to changes in

the factors/parameters.

The relevant factors affecting features of runoff from a catchment are listed below :

1. Rainfall intensity

2. Type of rainfall (single or multiple storms)

3. storm movement

4. angle of rainfall

5. size of catchment

6. catchment saturation

7. imperviousness of the catchment

8. catchment slope

9. depression storage

10. land cover

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 CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
2.1 APPARATUS
As shown in Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2, the apparatus consists of rainfall-runoff

simulator and measuring cylinder to measure the volume of catchment.

2.2 ELABORATION OF METHODOLOGY

2.2.1 GENERAL START-UP METHODOLOGY

Before conducting the experiment, all valves needed to be closed before the sump

tank was filled up with clean tap water for about 80% of the total volume. The test tank was

then positioned at horizontal position and all PU tubing from A to T is connected to the

manometer connector and the tubing was gently tapped to remove the air trap. All switches

needed to turn off before the switch on the control panel was turned on. Then, the bypass

valve, V11, outlet valve, V12 and V17 were fully opened and the equipment was ready for

experiment.

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 2.2.2 EXPERIMENT METHODOLOGY

When the experiment started, 2 plastic containers were already located below VX and

VX. Then the sprinklers’ head V1 to V8 were fully open for maximum sprinkling range and

the elapsed SV02 timer on the control panel was set and the collection period on the

electronic timer provided was preset to 30 second per gage. Then, the pump and motor

switches were turned on and the sprinklers’ control valve (V9) was slowly opened and the

flow rate was adjusted to 2.0 LPM. After 3 minutes the motor was switched off , then the

liquid levels on the runoff collector were observed and recorded. The steps were repeated by

increasing the number of plastic containers and the depression storage was also neglected.

2.2.3 GENERAL SHUT-DOWN METHODOLOGY

After completing the experiment, the pump switch was turned off and all the valves

were closed. Then, the main switch was shut off before the water from the runoff collector,

and the test tank was removed. The water in the sump tank is also removed when not using

the equipment for a long time.

2.3 FLOWCHART OF METHODOLOGY (PICTURE BASED)

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 CHAPTER 3
RESULT

3.1 CALCULATION AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULT

Gage Area 2 reservoir 3 reservoir 4 reservoir

no. (cm2)
rainfall volume disch rainfall volume disc rainfall volume discharge
height (ml) arge height (ml) har height (ml)
(mm) (mm) ge (mm)

1 50.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2 50.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

3 50.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

4 50.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 5.00 0.50

5 50.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.80 40.00 4.00

6 50.00 1.10 55 5.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.80 90.00 9.00

7 50.00 2.40 120 12.00 2.20 110.00 11.00 2.90 145.00 14.50

8 50.00 3.50 175 17.50 3.10 155.00 15.50 3.60 180.00 18.00

9 50.00 4.10 205 20.50 3.20 160.00 16.00 4.10 205.00 20.50

10 50.00 4.50 225 22.50 3.70 185.00 18.50 4.40 220.00 22.00

11 50.00 5.00 250 25.00 4.40 220.00 22.00 4.70 235.00 23.50

12 50.00 5.10 255 25.50 4.80 240.00 24.00 4.90 245.00 24.50

13 50.00 5.20 260 26.00 5.10 255.00 25.50 5.00 250.00 25.00

14 50.00 5.10 255 25.50 5.10 255.00 25.50 5.00 250.00 25.00

15 50.00 5.20 260 26.00 5.20 260.00 26.00 4.90 245.00 24.50

16 50.00 5.30 265 26.50 5.40 270.00 27.00 4.70 235.00 23.50

17 50.00 5.60 280 28.00 5.10 255.00 25.50 4.10 205.00 20.50

18 50.00 0.00 0 0.00 5.10 255.00 25.50 3.60 180.00 18.00

19 50.00 0.00 0 0.00 5.10 255.00 25.50 3.40 170.00 17.00

20 50.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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Gage Area 2 reservoir 3 reservoir 4 reservoir
no. (cm2)
rainfall volume disch rainfall volume disc rainfall volume discharge
height (ml) arge height (ml) har height (ml)
(mm) (mm) ge (mm)

21 75 2.80 210 21.00 2.21 166.00 16.60 2.45 184.00 18.40

22 75 3.33 250 25.00 3.52 264.00 26.40 3.07 230.00 23.00
23 75 3.25 244 24.40 2.53 190.00 19.00 2.11 158.00 15.80
24 75 2.72 204 20.40 2.16 162.00 16.20 1.79 134.00 13.40
25 75 2.53 190 19.00 1.92 144.00 14.40 1.68 126.00 12.60
26 75 2.13 160 16.00 1.80 135.00 13.50 1.55 116.00 11.60
27 75 1.95 146 14.60 1.57 118.00 11.80 1.31 98.00 9.80
28 75 1.73 130 13.00 1.44 108.00 10.80 1.28 96.00 9.60
29 75 1.68 126 12.60 1.23 92.00 9.20 1.25 94.00 9.40
30 75 1.41 106 10.60 1.31 98.00 9.80 1.09 82.00 8.20
31 75 1.33 100 10.00 0.96 72.00 7.20 1.01 76.00 7.60
32 75 1.27 95 9.50 1.01 76.00 7.60 0.93 70.00 7.00
33 75 1.07 80 8.00 0.93 70.00 7.00 0.88 66.00 6.60
34 75 0.99 74 7.40 0.88 66.00 6.60 0.83 62.00 6.20
35 75 0.80 60 6.00 0.80 60.00 6.00 0.77 58.00 5.80
36 75 0.85 64 6.40 0.72 54.00 5.40 0.72 54.00 5.40
37 75 0.68 51 5.10 0.64 48.00 4.80 0.67 50.00 5.00
38 75 0.67 50 5.00 0.53 40.00 4.00 0.56 42.00 4.20
39 75 0.53 40 4.00 0.59 44.00 4.40 0.45 34.00 3.40
40 75 0.51 38 3.80 0.29 22.00 2.20 0.59 44.00 4.40
41 75 0.45 34 3.40 0.29 22.00 2.20 0.27 20.00 2.00
42 75 0.40 30 3.00 0.27 20.00 2.00 0.13 10.00 1.00
43 75 0.43 32 3.20 0.24 18.00 1.80 0.32 24.00 2.40

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Gage Area 2 reservoir 3 reservoir 4 reservoir
no. (cm2)
rainfall volume disch rainfall volume disc rainfall volume discharge
height (ml) arge height (ml) har height (ml)
(mm) (mm) ge (mm)

44 75 0.37 28 0.37 0.19 14.00 1.40 0.24 18.00 1.80

45 75 0.35 26 0.35 0.13 10.00 1.00

46 75 0.35 26 0.35

47 75 0.35 26 0.35

48 75 0.16 12 0.16

49 75 0.13 10 0.13

50 75 0.13 10 0.13

51 75 0.13 10 0.13

GRAPH
1. 2 Reservoirs

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2. 3 Reservoirs

3. 4 Reservoir

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 4. Rainfall Height vs Gage Numbers

3.2 EXAMPLE OF MANUAL CALCULATION

1. Liquid volume of gauge

Vi= Area x Rainfall Height
2. Rate of liquid discharge, Qobs
Qobs = Vi/t
where tim taken, t is 10s
3. Baseflow, Q base
Plotting:
● 2 reservoir
y = mx + c
Time Start DRH = 60s
Time End DRH = 510s
m= (13-10)/(510-60)=0.0067
10=(0.0067)(60)+c

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 c= 9.62
y=0.0067x + 9.62

● 3 reservoir
y = mx + c
Time start DRH = 70s
Time end DRH = 440s
m = (14-10)/(440-70)
m=0.012
10=(0.012)(70)+c
c= 9.16
y=0.012x + 9.16

● 4 reservoir
y = mx + c
Time start DRH = 40s
Time end DRH = 440s
m = (19-16)/(440-40)
m=0.0075
16=(0.0075)(40)+c
c= 15.7
y=0.0075x + 15.7

4. Direct Runoff VDR

● 2 Reservoirs
VDR= ∑(Qobs-Qbase) x Δt
= (569.76-513.87)x10
= 558.9ml

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● 3 Reservoirs
VDR= ∑(Qobs-Qbase) x Δt
= (536.4-498.8)x10
= 376 ml

● 4 Reservoirs
VDR= ∑(Qobs-Qbase) x Δt
= (765.05-483.80)x10
= 2812.5 ml

5. Lag Time

● 2 reservoirs
Lag Time = 200s-180s = 20s
● 3 reservoirs
Lag Time = 220-190= 30s
● 4 reservoirs
Lag Time = 180-220=40s

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 CHAPTER 4
DISCUSSION

4.1 RESULT ACCURACY ETC

Based on the graph in figure 3.1 (2 reservoirs), we can observe that the Baseflow is

steadily increasing. The discharge and rainfall height increases also until 190 seconds

afterward which it starts to decrease.This is because the pump of the hydrograph simulator is

turned off after 180 seconds. The baseflow starts with 9.16mm and gradually increases to

12.64mm. Secondly, the graph in figure 3.2 (3 reservoirs), we can observe that the Baseflow

is also steadily increasing. The discharge and rainfall height increases also until 190 seconds

afterward which it starts to decrease.This is because the pump of the hydrograph simulator is

turned off after 180 seconds. The baseflow starts with 9.16 mm and gradually increases to

15.02mm. The 3rd graph also follows this pattern where baseflow steadily increased from

15.7mm to 19.1mm. The discharge and runoff also increase until the 180s and start

decreasing. The lag time of the hydrograph 1 (figure 3.1),2( figure 3.2) and 3 (figure 3 3) are

20s, 30s, 40s respectively. The runoff VDR for 4 reservoirs experiment (2812.5 ml) is highest

followed by 2 reservoirs experiment (558.9ml) and lastly 3 reservoirs experiment (376 ml).

From the data we can deduce, the base flow increases as the number of reservoirs increases.

The lag time also increases as the number of reservoirs increases in the experiment.

Furthermore, the direct runoff VDR is highest for the 4 reservoirs. The low amount of direct

runoff in 3 reservoirs experiment could be attributed to the arrangement of the plastic

containers in the experiment. The arrangement could cause the experiment reservoir to

ineffectively collect water from the sprinklers. It could also be caused by not clearing the

water completely in the plastic containers before the start of the next experiment.

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4.2 ERROR

4.2.1 SYSTEMATIC ERROR

System error is defined as error which is caused by the system itself. This is caused

usually by wear and tear of the experiment equipment.For this experiment the system error

will most likely come from the rainfall-runoff simulator system. One of the systematic errors

is from systematic errors in the input data, e.g. precipitation, temperature, or

evapotranspiration used to represent the input conditions in time and space for the

catchment.There can also error in recorded output data eg: water level or discharge data used

for comparison with the simulation output. Furthermore, errors due to non-optional parameter

values and Errors due to incomplete or biased model structure. These errors can be reduced

by calibrating the instrument before the experiment. During a calibration process it is of the

utmost importance to ensure that a clear distinction is drawn between the different error

sources, so that it is not attempted to compensate for errors for one source by adjustment

within another source, e.g. compensate for a data error by parameter adjustments.

4.2.2 RANDOM ERROR

As a result in this experiment, random error cannot be removed as we are taking

multiple measurements, the value will be clustered around the true value where it affects the

precision of the data. For example, while taking the volume reading of the water volume in

the tank and also in the measuring cylinder, the value might be noted from a different angle of

position each time. In addition, as this experiment is using water, the water that already exists

in the measuring cylinder cannot be removed hundred percent and this will affect the volume

of the water too as the reading is not really the actual result of the volume in the cylinder.

when catching the water from the pipe for every ten seconds, there might be some error here

because there is also water splashing everywhere outside the measuring cylinder and this

error is being recognised as a random error too.

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 CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we can see that all the objectives of this experiment have been

achieved. Using different amounts of reservoir in this experiment gives us a different

outcome for the pattern of the hydrograph. Hydrograph is known as a storm or flood

hydrograph that consists of two types of graph which are bar graph and line graph. Basically,

hydrograph shows the ways in which a river is affected by a storm. For the bar graph, it

represents the rainfall event which precedes the changes in discharge while the line graph

represents the discharge of a flow at a given point over a period of time.

The river's baseflow is the result of groundwater flowing into the river channel and

represents the discharge of the river. The rising limb of the hydrograph depicts the quick rise

in water level caused by rainfall, which causes surface runoff and then throughflow. When

the river reaches its maximum level, peak discharge occurs. The lag time or basin lag is the

time difference between the peak of the rain event and the highest discharge. The falling

limb, also known as the recession limb, occurs when discharge drops and the river level

drops. It has a gentler gradient than the rising limb because most of the overland flow has

been released, and the river water is mostly made up of throughflow.

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 CHAPTER 6
REFERENCES

1. A STUDY ON RAINFALL-RUNOFF CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN

CATCHMENT OF SUNGAI KERAYONG - FAUZI BIN BAHARUDIN (2007)
http://eprints.usm.my/7772/1/A_STUDY_ON_RAINFALL-RUNOFF_CHARACTER
ISTICS_OF_URBAN_CATCHMENT_OF_SUNGAI_KERAYONG.pdf

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 APPENDIX

VIDEO DURING LAB EXPERIMENT

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