1.1.1 Worked Example 2.

7- Applying Time-Area Method to a Catchment in Ipoh

Calculate the runoff hydrograph for the design of a major stormwater system near
the outlet of a catchment with medium density residential development in Ipoh as
shown in Figure 2.7. The Tc is 30 min.

The design ARI for the major system is 100 years based on Table 4.1.

Step 1- Delineate Subcatchment Using Isochrones

The whole study area is divided into subcatchment areas by plotting 5 minutes
isochrones which represent lines of equal flow time to the outlet as shown in
Figure 2.7.

The time interval is determined using the Rational Method approach.

The subcatchment areas between each successive pair of isochrones are measured
and recorded as shown in Column F of Table 2.5.

Step 2- Calculate Design Effective Rainfall

For Ipoh, the Design Rainfall Intensity for ARI of 100 yr is 176.5 mm/hr.

Hence Total Rainfall Depth= 176.5*0.5= 88.25 mm

Column B summarises the temporal pattern ratios for this particular location.

The Rainfall Depth in Column C is calculated by multiplying Column B by Total

Rainfall Depth.

Listed in Column D are the losses based on Table 14.4.

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 Column E shows the Effective Rainfall which is equal to Rainfall Depth (Column
C) minus the Losses (Column D).

Step 3- Calculate Discharge Hydrograph

The ordinate of the discharge hydrograph is calculated as follows:

First, multiply the subcatchment area (Column F) with the Effective Rainfall
(Column E) based on Equation 2.11 as follows:

q i  I i  A1  I i 1  A2  ....  I 1  Ai

These are tabulated in Columns G to L.

Next, sum Columns G to L to get the total hydrograph ordinate in Column M.

The peak discharges are computed as shown in Table 2.5 and the hydrograph
plotted in the table.

The above computation can be easily done using a spreadsheet.

Equation 2.11 can be expanded for all subcatchment areas and all the ordinates of
the Effective Rainfall Depth as follows:

q1  I 1  A1

q 2  I 2  A1  I 1  A2

q 3  I 3  A1  I 2  A2  I 1  A3

q 4  I 4  A1  I 3  A2  I 2  A3  I 1  A4

q 5  I 5  A1  I 4  A2  I 3  A3  I 2  A4  I 1  A5

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 q 6  I 6  A1  I 5  A2  I 4  A3  I 3  A4  I 2  A5  I 1  A6

q 7  I 7  A1  I 6  A2  I 5  A3  I 4  A4  I 3  A5  I 2  A6  I 1  A7

12.
The above equations can be repeated until q

Note that I7A1 is zero.

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 TABLE 2.5 TIME-AREA METHOD CALCULATION

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 T5 (25 min)
T4 (20 min)
T30 (30 min)
T3 (15 min)

T2 (10 min)

T1 (5 min)

T0 (0 min)

Outlet

FIGURE 2.7 STUDY CATCHMENT FOR TIME-AREA METHOD

1.1.2 How to Create the Spreadsheet

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 Following are the steps for applying the Time-Area Method using a spreadsheet
(Excel Filename: DrQuekTimeArea1a.zip):

1. Open the spreadsheet DrQuekTimeArea1a.zip.

2. Enter the Areas between successive isochrones into Column F.
3. Enter the design rainfall intensity (mm/hr) for ARI of 100 years- Cell B4.
4. Convert the above into rainfall depth in mm- in Cell D4.
5. Enter the rainfall temporal pattern- Column B.
6. Calculate the Rainfall Depth in Column C by multiplying Column B by Total
Rainfall Depth (Cell D4).
7. Enter the losses in Column D based on Table 14.4.
8. Calculate the Effective Rainfall (Column E) which is equal to Rainfall Depth
(Column C) minus the Losses (Column D).
9. Copy Cells (F15..F20) values to Cells (G13..L13)- notice cells in blue! This is
done to simplify the use of formulas in spreadsheet.
10. The ordinate of the discharge hydrograph is calculated by multiplying the
subcatchment area (Column F) with the Effective Rainfall (Column E) based
on Equation 2.11 as follows:
q i  I i  A1  I i 1  A2  ....  I 1  Ai

11. Important! Notice the conversation factor: I (mm) x A (m2)/(1000 x 5 min x 60

s)= q (m3/s).
12. These are tabulated in Columns G to L.
13. Next, sum Columns G to L to get the total hydrograph ordinate in Column M.
14. The rainfall hyetograph and flow hydrograph are plotted as shown.

Two questions to test your understanding of the Time-Area Method:

1. Question 1: Why are the cells in yellow blank?

Answer:________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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 2. Question 2: Why are the cells in the lower diagonal all zeros?
Answer:________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

1.1.3 Worked Example 2.8- Applying Time-Area Method to A Catchment in Penang

Following are relevant data:

1. Design based on 100 year storm for Penang.

2. Enter the Areas between 5 successive 5-minute isochrones: 90,000, 107,000,
115,000, 120,000, 99,000.
3. Assume the following rainfall temporal pattern: 0.1, 0.2, 0.39, 0.21, 0.1.
4. Enter the losses in Column C based on Table 14.4- for pervious areas (Initial
loss-proportional loss).
5. What is the Qp of the hydrograph? Answer:____________________________

1.1.4 Worked Example 2.9- Applying Time-Area Method to A Catchment in Kuching,

Sarawak

Following are relevant data:

1. Design based on 5 year storm for Kuching, Sarawak.

2. Areas between 7 successive 5-minute isochrones: 20,000, 90,000, 120,000,
80,000, 70,000, 65,000 and 23,000.
3. Enter the losses in Column C based on Table 14.4- for impervious area.
4. What is the Qp of the hydrograph? Answer:____________________________

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