Session 3 Runoff Modelling Production Function 2023 2024

Session 3 :
Runoff to Hydrograph computation

I-Generalities
II- Effective Rainfall

II.1 Run-off coefficient.
II.2 Continuous loss (infiltration modelling)
III- Hydrograph computation

summary
Previous lesson
• Analysis of real rainfall events : IDF curves,
• Synthetic hyetograph : constant and uniform rainfall, with a chronology

(Keifer hyetograph , simple shape : triangle, double triangle)
• Rainfall event spatialization : not recommanded in urban hydrology for prediction. Thiessen
(or Krieging) method useful for the analysis of several pluviometer distributed on the field)
I-Generalities
Next step: Global modeling of some urban catchment connected to the network
through Rainfall-Runoff modeling
Elementary Hydrogram generation

Upstream secondary catchment - Production function :
Network non modeled in effective rainfall
details - Transfer function :
hydrogram
Routing of the hydrogram

- BSV
- Simplified hydraulic models
outlet
Main important special structures :

Main network retention tank, pumping station, fall,
storm weir ….
I-Généralities
I-Generalities
Runoff modelling : two approaches
Conceptual models Mecanistic models
Hyetograph : Raw rainfall event : ib(t) + spatialization

(over a catchment)
Effective rainfall (=Pluie nette)

- initial loss
- continuous loss (infiltration,evaporation,…)
- Global runoff coefficient (active surfaces)
Rainfall-Runoff transformation :
-Catchment seen as a « black box »
- Transfert function identification
(Unit hydrograph, models with reservoir,…)
Hydrogram injected in the network at a given point

(network simulation)
Identification of the peak discharge (network sizing)
I-Generalities
Runoff modelling : two approaches
Conceptual models
Hyetograph : Raw rainfall event : ib(t)

(over a catchment)
Effective rainfall (=Pluie nette)

- initial loss
- continuous loss (infiltration,evaporation,…)
Global runoff coefficient (active surfaces)
Rainfall-Runoff transformation :
-Catchment seen as a « black box »
- Transfert function identification
(Unit hydrograph, models with reservoir,…)
Hydrogram injected in the network at a given point

(network simulation)
Identification of the peak discharge (network sizing)
II-Effective rainfall calculation (losses)
ib(t) Computation of an effective an rainfall event

Raw hyetograph
accounting for :
- Initial losses
- Continuous losses. They can be modelled with a
continous function (infiltration) or be modelled as
proportional to the rainfall intensity through a
runoff coefficient
t
ib(t)
Impermeable surfaces
ib(t) Permeable soils
(impervious areas)
(Pervious surfaces)
t t
Initial loss + continuous losses Initial loss + continuous loss proportional to the the rainfall
intensity (either constant or not)
II-1 Runoff coefficient
a) Definitions Instantantaneous coefficients
i n ( x, y , t ) p ( x, y , t )
• Local instantaneous coefficient C ( x, y , t ) = = 1−
i b ( x, y , t ) i b ( x, y , t )
ib(x,y,t) = raw rainfall intensity over surface dA
in(x,y,t) = effective rainfall intensity available for runoff
p(x,y,t) = losses (infiltration,evaporation, trapment ? …)
Q(t )
• Global instantaneous runoff coefficient (ratio C A (t ) =
between the instantaneous « effective
rain flux» and « raw rainfall flux »
 i ( x, y, t )dA
A
b
With Q(t ) =  i ( x, y, t ).dx.dy

surface
n
Theoretical concept : not measurable in practice.

- C(x,y,t) purely conceptual
- For instance Q(t) (the effective rain flux) is not a measurable quantity.
a) Definitions Volumetric global coefficient
tp tr
 Q(t )dt Q catchement _ outlet (t )dt

V H Measurable
Cr = CvA = 0
= 0
= r = r quantities
tP
  tP
  Vp H P
0 A b
i ( x , y , t )dxdy  dt 0 A b
i ( x , y , t )dxdy  dt
 
Vr = water volume which flowed through the catchment outlet at the end of the runoff process (at time tr)
Vp = water volume precipitated on the catchment during the rainfall event (time tp)
Hr and Hp , run-off water depth and total rainfall event depth.
Measurable quantities (volumetric balance always possible)

Runoff coefficient defined rigorously from this definition
Beware : Q(t) =«effective rainfall influx » over all the catchment surface during the rain duration
Qcatchment_outlet(t) = discharge measured at the catchment outlet during the run-off duration
Qcatchment_outlet(t) is related to Q(t) through a transfer function.
But because of volume conservation the integration over time give the same volume for both
terms
II-1 Runoff coefficient : Modeling through a global constant coefficient C(x,y,t)=Cr=cste
• Empirical approach from tabulated values (common knowlege and « good » practice
- As a first approximation, sometimes modeled as the imperviousness coefficient 𝐶𝑖𝑚𝑝
impervious surface Caution on the validity of this approach

Cimp =
Total surface - All the impervious surface produce runoff
- The pervious surface infiltrate rain
Not true in general. Depends on the rainfall, degree of soil

Saturation, storage of water on the impervious surface…
- Tables giving a global coefficient depending on the density of habitation or surface

occupation
Example 1
• Empirical approach from tabulated values (common knowlege and « good » practice
Example 2
In pratice, knowing the surface occupation, coefficient specific to the surface

typography. Global coefficient based on the ponderation of each individual coefficient
by the surface corresponding to each surface type.
𝐶𝑣 = ෍ 𝐶𝑣𝑖 𝐴𝑖 ൘𝐴
𝑖
The number of configuration hides the complex phenomena at local scale in a global coefficient
(empirism)
• Direct measurement and data analysis
𝐻𝑟 𝐻𝑟 : 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑑 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑚

𝐶=
𝐻𝑝 − 𝑃𝐼 𝐻𝑃 : 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑃𝐼 = 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠
• Hp (mm), the precipitated rain over the rain duration, expressed in water depth , is known through
measurement from one or several pluviograph
• Vr (mm3), the total streamed (ruisselé) volume, can be known also through the discharge measurement at the
catchment outlet through the total duraton of run-off
• PI can be measured as it correspond to the maximum volume precipitated (for a « critical » rainfall event) that
doest not give rise to an obersvable dischage/ volume at the catchment outlet
𝑡𝑟
𝑉𝑟 = න 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡 .𝑑𝑡
0
𝑉𝑟 = 𝐴. 𝐻𝑟 = 𝐶 𝐻𝑝 − 𝑃𝐼 = 𝑎𝐻𝑝 + 𝑏
Hp
𝑎 = 𝐶. 𝐴 = 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑆𝑎 𝑏 = −𝐶. 𝐴. 𝑃𝐼 = −𝑎. 𝑃𝐼
Just draw Vr=f(Hp) to get a and b (or Hr as a function of Hp so that slope=C)

More « global » than the runoff coefficient In tables. But physically grounded on the catchment response to a given
rain event
• Rainfall duration (and possibly « history ») can be taken into account for determing Cr
Average Strong
Small rainfall event rainfall event
𝐻𝑟2
𝐶2 =
𝐻𝑝2− 𝑃𝐼
Hr2
C2
C1
PI Hp2
• From data, many authors proposed correlations (beware when using them : check their validity range
(characteristic of the catchment, characteristic of the rainfall event for which they were proposed etc))
𝐶 = 𝑓(𝐶𝑖𝑚𝑝 , 𝐼𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, … )

II-2 Runoff coefficient : Time dependant runoff coefficient (urban catchment)
• A constant runoff coefficient can sound physically not consistant

some surface which did not contribute to runoff at the early stage of the rainfall event may
end-up with contributing to the runoff : this the case when depressions are filled (small
depression on soil, flat roofs) or when soils become saturated
• Specific treatment for impervious and pervious surfaces
• Usually on the form : gradual increase of the runoff coefficient till a maximum value
C(t)=a ( 1-e -b.t )

• Parameters calibration :
𝑡 𝑡
න 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 = 𝐴[න 𝐶 𝜏 𝑖𝑏 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 − 𝑃𝐼] − 𝑆(𝑡)

0 0 Water stored at time t which didn’t flow yet
through the outlet at time t
Volume which flowed
through the catchment Effective volume
outlet over time t precipated at time t
How to estimate this quantity ?

Assumption S(t)=f(Qoutlet(t)) for instance
II-2 Runoff coefficient : Time dependant runoff coefficient (urban catchment)
• some data existe in littérature about time dependant runoff coefficient. Caution : specific to
the case study
0.98  t 0.78  t
Cr (t ) = Cimp + (1 − Cimp ) 𝐶𝑖𝑚𝑝 = 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡
4.53 + t 31.17 + t
P in the figure correspond to Cimp in the formula above
Source : Christophe Chamoux.

Techniques alternatives en assainissement pluvial. De la théorie à la pratique. Thèse de Doctoral de l’Université Nice
Sophia-Antipolis. 2003
II-3 Direct modelling of infiltration
Infiltration can also be modelled more precisely. In the case of

peri-urban catchement, where the infiltration process is the main factor
for runoff losses, it may be better to use an infiltration function
II-3.1 Principle
During a rainfall event : soils infiltration capacity f(t) decreases from an initial value to an
asymptotic value.
As long as the rainfall intensity remains below to this infiltration capacity, it infiltrates as fast as
it is produded. (no runoff)
Runoff begins only when the rainfall intensity is greater or equal (submersion time) to
the soil infiltration capacity (which varies between value (f0) when the rainfall start to a
saturation value (fc)
Horton R., 1940 - An approach toward a physical interpretation of
infiltration capacity. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc., 5 : 399-417.
II.3.2- Hortonian runoff
a) Potential infiltration velocity
f(t) = potential infiltration velocity (mm/min or mm/h)

𝑓 𝑡 = 𝑓𝑐 + (𝑓0 − 𝑓𝑐 ) × 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡
f0
fc
b) Typical parameters
Guide for the choice of fc (mm/h)
Guide for the choice of f0 (mm/h)

The value of f0 can for its part be chosen as a function of fc, taking into account in particular the rainfall antecedent.
- If the soil is saturated with humidity at the start of the flow we can consider that f0 is equal to fc
(so it seeps in at a constant speed. Darcy)
- If the soil is dry, the Holtan model is generally used: f0=4.fc
Guide for the choice of k (h-1)
The parameter k describes the speed with which the soil becomes saturated. Its value mainly depends on the
thickness of topsoil. If we express the time in minutes, the value of k is generally between 0.05 and 0.1
II-Effective rainfall calculation (losses) II-2 Infiltration
c) Practical implementation
Soil saturation can only follow the theoretical saturation law if the rainfall intensity remains
permanently greater than the soil's infiltration capacity.
In general, the theoretical infiltration curve is greater than the intensity of the downpour at the start of
the rain, then it becomes less than the latter.
The simplest method to take this phenomenon into account is to shift the infiltration curve over time, so
that the runoff does not begin until the mass of infiltrated water becomes equal to the mass of
precipitated water.
𝑖 𝑡 ∶ 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑓 𝑡 : 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑡
𝐻𝑝 𝑡 = න 𝑖 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 ∶ 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑡
𝑡
0
𝐹 𝑡 = න 𝑓 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 ∶ 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛

0
When runoff start at tr
𝐻𝑝 𝑡𝑟 = 𝐹 𝑡𝑟
𝑑𝐻𝑝 𝑑𝐹
i 𝑡𝑟 = 𝑓 𝑡𝑟 → ቚ = ቚ
𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑟 𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑟
Hp and F are tangent at t=tr

t0 tr
II.3.2- Hortonian runoff b)
a)
c)
• Calculate Hp(t) and F(t) from the knowledge t0
of i(t) [here a synthetic triangular hyetograph] and
the Horton function f(t) (blue cure on fig a) )
• Shift F(t) (the blue curve on fig b) till it tangent Hp(t)
• Deduce t0 the shifing time and tr the time when the
run-off begin
• It can be checked on fig c) that when f(t) is shifted
the intersection of the curve f(t) with the rainfall is
the tangency point of fig b)
𝑖 𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑖 𝑡 < 𝑓𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑑 (𝑡)

Effective rain computation 𝑖𝑛 𝑡 = ൞
𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑓 𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑖(𝑡) ≥ 𝑓𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑑 (𝑡)
In the gray zone, the infiltration capacity is equal to i(t) so in(t) = 0

II.3.2- (N)SCS method
Assumptions :
• A catchment can store a maximum water quantity Fmax (express as a water depth) in the depression
and in soils.
Runoff begins when some amount of rain Ia is precipated (initial loss, interception, surface saturation
delay)
Runoff is estimated with the assumption that the ratio between the runoff volume (or water depth)
and the rain (minus the initial abstraction) is equal to the ratio between the infiltrated volume and
a maximum potential infiltration. This lead to :
𝑆 𝐻𝑟
= 𝐼𝑎 = 𝛼𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐻𝑝 − 𝐼𝑎
with 0.1 < a < 0.2 (empirical)
S : current storage on the catchment

Fmax : potential storage= Max infiltration depth + storage in depression
Hr : Runoff depth
Hp : Rainfall depth
Ia : Initial abstraction = Infiltrated water depth before runoff begins
1000 Fmax en mm
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − 10 × 25.4
𝐶𝑁
with CN : Curve Number = coefficient d’aptitude au ruissellement

CN : found in tables. Depends on the soil characteristics as well as previous humidity conditions
( « history » effects )
• Streamed « Volumes »
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 × 𝐻𝑟 (𝑡)
Balance : 𝐻𝑝 𝑡 = 𝐻𝑟 𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 + 𝑆(𝑡) with 𝑆(𝑡) =
𝐻𝑝 (𝑡) − 𝐼𝑎
(𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 )2 (𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 )2

a=0.2 𝐻𝑟 𝑡 = = if 𝐻 𝑡 > 𝐼𝑎 𝐼𝑎 = 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 + 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐻𝑝 𝑡 + 0.8𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑑𝐻𝑟
𝑖𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 (𝑡) = if 𝐻𝑝 > 𝐼𝑎
𝑑𝑡
𝑖𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 (𝑡) = 0 otherwise
1000 Fmax en mm
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − 10 × 25.4
𝐶𝑁
with CN : Curve Number = coefficient d’aptitude au ruissellement

CN : found in tables. Depends on the soil characteristics as well as previous humidity conditions
( « history » effects )
• Streamed « Volumes »
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 × 𝐻𝑟 (𝑡)
Balance : 𝐻𝑝 𝑡 = 𝐻𝑟 𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 + 𝑆(𝑡) with 𝑆(𝑡) =
𝐻𝑝 (𝑡) − 𝐼𝑎
(𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 )2 (𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 )2

a=0.2 𝐻𝑟 𝑡 = = if 𝐻 𝑡 > 𝐼𝑎 𝐼𝑎 = 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 + 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐻𝑝 𝑡 + 0.8𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
• Proof : Infiltrated « Volumes » (from the run-off starting point)

𝐹 𝑡 = 𝐻 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 − 𝐻𝑟 (𝑡) if 𝐻 𝑡 > 𝐼𝑎 (otherwise F(t) not defined)
𝑑𝐹 𝑑𝐻𝑟 𝑑𝐻𝑟
so : 𝑓 𝑡 = =𝑖 𝑡 − thus : 𝑖𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡 = 𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑓 𝑡 = if 𝐻 𝑡 > 𝐼𝑎
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
CN depends on the soil type, on the vegetalization as well as the previous humidity conditions.
The soil type is expressed as a function of a classification into 4 categories, depending on its infiltration aptitude.
Type A soils : high infiltration magnitude, deep soils made of sand or gravels
Type B soils : medium infiltration magnitude, less deep soils, with a medium load of loess or clays
Type C soils : weak infiltration magnitude, not very deep soils with a medium loading of clays
Type D soils : very weak infiltration magnitude, soils with high or very high content of « argile »
The greater CN is, the stronger is the run-off
More detailed table to take into account correction allowing for :

- Humidity conditions in the 5 days preceeding the event.
- Other characteristic (slope, etc..)
Other values for CN (sources : IRSTEA, France)

Model application : Definition of a global run_off coefficient
Constant rain of duration d defined

by Montana coefficient a and b
(here a=5.6 and b=-0.43. Arbitrary
values)
For a duration d
𝐻𝑝 𝑑 = 𝑎𝑑𝑏
(𝐻𝑝 𝑑 − 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 )2
𝐻𝑟 𝑑 =
𝐻 𝑑 + 0.8𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
if 𝐻 𝑑 > 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐶𝑣 𝑑 = 𝐻𝑟 (𝑑)Τ𝐻𝑝 (𝑑)
Possibility of composition of different CN to account for an heterogenous catchment

Model application : Definition of the net effective rain fall or infiltration capacity
CN = 90 CN = 90
Example with a triangular event

• Definition of the triangular event
• Discrete integration to get Hp(t) at any time t Cf exercice on Chamillo
• Computation of 𝐻𝑟 𝑡 with the SCS formula
• 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 (𝑡) obtained by the discrete derivation of 𝐻𝑟 𝑡
• Optionnaly : calculation of 𝐹 𝑡 = 𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 − 𝐻𝑟 𝑡
• Infiltration capacitiy f(t) obtained by the discrete derivation of F(t)
Model application : Definition of the net effective rain fall or infiltration capacity
CN = 70 CN = 70
Example with a triangular event

• Definition of the triangular event
• Discrete integration to get Hp(t) at any time t Cf exercise
• Computation of 𝐻𝑟 𝑡 with the SCS formula
• 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 (𝑡) obtained by the discrete derivation of 𝐻𝑟 𝑡
• Optionnaly : calculation of 𝐹 𝑡 = 𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 − 𝐻𝑟 𝑡
• Infiltration capacitiy f(t) obtained by the discrete derivation of F(t)
Conclusion (1/3)
Example taken from the exercise on SCS model (but can be genalized)
• Depending on the modelling choice, synthetic hyetograph, quite different in shape

• But by constuction, at least, the total volume of the net hyetograph must correspond to
observed streamed volume (if measurements available)
• The same, the characteristics of the hydrogram, computed from these hyetograph should
be as comparable as possible
Conclusion (2/3)
Example taken from the exercise on SCS model
• we cannot dissociate the production function (calculation of losses/net hyetograph) from the
transfer function (which compute the hydrograph by distributing the net rain hydrograph – and
so total precipitated volume that can run-off- over time
• In reality, the two phenomena are concomitant but in practice, in this type of approach, we
separate the two phenomena. The synthetic rain has no physical reality
Conclusion (3/3)
Example taken from the exercise on SCS model (but can be genalized)
The synthetic hyetograph is a mathematical artifact aiming at fulfilling the volume balance
in relation to observations. The uncertainties brought by the choice of modeling (in
particular the real distribution of the losses over time) will be compensated by the choice
of the rain flow transformation model in order to fit the observed hydrograph.
The production function and the transfer function are two sides of the same coin that
must be considered as interdependent
Appendix :
Green & Hampt « Mechanistic » Model

I- Theoretical background
I.1- Generality : Typical humidity profile in the soil
Increase of soil saturation

at the surface
z 𝜃𝑖 𝜃𝑠 z
Propagation of
humidity in
soil
- Capillary
succion
- Gravity
Time evolution
𝜃𝑖 : initial water content (m3 water/m3 soil)

𝜃𝑠 : water content at saturation (m3 water/m3 soil)
I.2- Generalization of Darcy Law : Richards equation
(1) 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑞
=
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑧
𝜕ℎ 𝜕𝜓
(2) 𝑞 = −𝐾(𝜃) = −𝐾(𝜃) − 𝐾(𝜃) with ℎ =𝑧+𝜓
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜃 𝑧, 𝑡 ∶ 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 [−]
ℎ 𝑧, 𝑡 ∶ ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 (𝑚𝑚 𝐶𝐸)
𝑞 𝑧, 𝑡 ∶ 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑚𝑚Τℎ . 𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑧 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑞 < 0
 𝑧, 𝑡 ∶ 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑚 𝐶𝐸 . 𝑖𝑓 < 0 = 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠)
𝐾 𝜃 ∶ 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑚𝑚Τℎ 𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦) 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐾 𝜃 decrease toward 𝐾𝑠 with water content, with 𝐾𝑠 , soil hydraulic conductivity at saturation
I.3- Green & Hampt simplified problem
Hf
z=Zf Zf<0
Y=Yf Yf <0
- Two zones : One saturated, one non saturated

- At the surface, constant small water film (depth H) as the rain occur : =H at the surface (z=0)
- The humidity front advance at the same velocity whatever the considered depth : well identified
humidity front : = f (<0 : capillary succion) at the front interface
- The volumetric fraction of water remains constant below and above that front when it advances
- The volumetric fraction above the front is the saturation moisture.
So K(q)=K(qs)=Ks : saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (soil “permeability”)
- The capillary succion immediately below the front remains constant in space and time when the
front advances
II-2 Infiltration
I.4- Infiltration capacity

qi qs
dq
z=0
Humidity front dz
𝜃 = 𝜃(𝑧, 𝑡) → 𝑧 = 𝑧(𝜃, 𝑡) (3)
F(t)=Total infiltrated water depth

z=Zf
𝑧=0 𝜃=𝜃(𝑧=0,𝑡)
𝐹(𝑡) = න 𝜃(𝑧, 𝑡)𝑑𝑧 = න 𝑧(𝜃, 𝑡)𝑑𝜃 (4)

𝑧=𝑧𝑓 𝜃=𝜃𝑖
Infiltration capacity : f(t)=dF/dt.
DIFFERENT from the infiltration velocity at the surface which depends on the
saturation degree at the surface (at least at the beginning of the rainfall
event). f(t) is a more global quantity expressing the rate of change of the
volume of water stored in soil
II- Governing equation for the simplied problem
𝑑ℎ (𝑧+ )0 −(𝑧+ )𝑓 (0+𝐻)−(𝑍𝑓 +𝑓

𝑞~ − 𝐾𝑠 𝑑𝑧 ~ −𝐾𝑠 ~ −𝐾𝑠 (5)
0−𝑍𝑓
𝑧=0
𝐹 𝑡 =න 𝜃 𝑧, 𝑡 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑍𝑓 𝜃𝑠 − 𝜃𝑖 (area of an rectangle given (6)
𝑧=𝑍𝑓 the assumed shape of the humidity front)
𝑓 < 0 ∶ 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡

𝑍𝑓 < 0 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑧 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
The equations above are strictly speaking valid after a time tr

corresponding to the time required for the surface ponding
.
II- Governing equation for the simplied problem
At the surface as H<<1, the pressure is the atmospheric pressure (Y=H~0 at z=0)
𝜕ℎ 𝑍𝑓+ Y𝑓 (5’)
𝑞~ − 𝐾𝑠 ~ − 𝐾𝑠
𝜕𝑧 𝑍𝑓
(6’)
𝐹 𝑡 = 𝑍𝑓 𝜃𝑠 − 𝜃𝑖
Getting ride of the minus sign
𝑍𝑓 + 𝑓 𝐻𝑓 + 𝑓 (5’’)
𝑓 𝑡 = 𝑞 = 𝐾𝑠 = 𝐾𝑠
𝑍𝑓 𝐻𝑓
𝐹 𝑡 = 𝐻𝑓 𝜃𝑠 − 𝜃𝑖 (6’’)
III- Model integration
Lets call tr the time when surface ponding occurs and runoff start
𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑞(𝑡) = 𝑖(𝑡) 𝑖𝑓 𝑡 < 𝑡𝑟 (8)

𝜓𝑓 + 𝐻𝑓 𝑑𝐹
𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑞(𝑡) = 𝐾𝑆 = 𝑖𝑓 𝑡 ≥ 𝑡𝑟
𝐻𝑓 𝑑𝑡
(9)
𝑑𝐹
Using eq (6’’) to discard variable Hf in eq (5’’) and as 𝑞(𝑡) = 𝑓(𝑡) =
𝑑𝑡
𝐹
𝜓𝑓 + 𝜃𝑠 − 𝜃𝑖 𝑑𝐹
𝜃𝑠 − 𝜃𝑖
𝑓(𝑡) = 𝐾𝑠 = 𝐾𝑠 1 + 𝜓𝑓 = (10)
𝐹 𝐹 𝑑𝑡
𝜃𝑠 − 𝜃𝑖
Intégration of (10) gives :

  (q s − q i ) f + Fr  
 F − Fr + (q s − q i ) f ln 
1
t = tr +  (11)
KS 
  (q s − q i ) f + F  

• tr is the time corresponding to the runoff onset when the surface is ponded
• Fr is the corresponding cumulative infiltrated water depth from the start of the rain to the
runoff onset
• F is not defined for t<tr (~ Hortonian runoff)
IV. Final model
dF
= f (t ) = i (t ) if t  tr Eq(E1)
dt
dF  q −q 
= f (t ) = K s 1 +  f s i  if t  tr Eq(E2)
dt  F 
whose solution is

  (q s − q i ) f + Fr  
 F − Fr + (q s − q i ) f ln 
1
t = tr +  Eq(E3)
KS 
  (q s − q i ) f + F  

II-2 Infiltration
V. Model practical use
Known parameters : Ks, Yf, qs and qi + hyetograph i(t)
 q −q  K  (q − q ) (i)
When run-off begins at time t=tr : i(tr ) = K s 1 +  f s i  so F (tr ) = Fr = S s s i
 F (tr )  𝑡𝑟 i(tr ) − K s
Furthermore, at time=tr : infiltrated water=precipitated water : 𝐹 𝑡𝑟 = න 𝑖 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 𝐻(𝑡𝑟) (ii)
0
• Step 1 : Compute tr and fr by an iterative method :
- Initial guess for tr : tr*

- Compute i(tr*) then F(tr*) with (i)
- Compute f(tr*) with (ii)
- if F (t r* ) − f (t r* )   then tr=tr* and Fr=Fr*
otherwise, compute a new value of tr* till convergence
II-2 Infiltration
• Step 2 : compute the function F(t)
For given value of t in the range [0,tmax] solve eq(3)

  (q s − q i ) f + Fr  

t = tr +
1
 F − F + (q − q ) ln   
KS 

r s i f
 (
 sq − q i ) f + F 

using an iterative method (dichotomy , Newton-Raphson….)
You will get a discrete set of points accounting for the value of F
• Step 3 : compute the infiltration rate f(t)
For t<tr, f(t)=i(t)

For t>tr, take the discrete derivative of F(t) to get f(t)
• Step 4 : compute the effective rain
For t<tr in(t)=0

For t>tr, in(t)=i(t)-f(t) and in(t)>f(t) otherwise in(t)=0
Alternative method base on the « infiltration » curve shifting (cf Horton)
To compute f(t) or F(t) values of tr and Fr SHOULD BE required ;
• As previoulsy said , runoff begins when :
 q −q 
i(tr ) = f (tr ) = K s 1 +  f s i 
 F (tr ) 
• At that time, the infiltrated water volume is equal to the precipitated
water volume. So :
𝑡𝑟 𝑡𝑟
𝐹(𝑡𝑟 ) = න 𝑓(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = න 𝑖(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = 𝐻(𝑡𝑟 )

0 0
to summarize , as in Horton’s method :
𝑑𝐻 𝑑𝐹
𝑖(𝑡𝑟 ) = 𝑓(𝑡𝑟 ) ⇔ ቤ = ቤ
𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑟 𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑟
𝐹(𝑡𝑟 ) = 𝐻(𝑡𝑟 )
Alternative method base on the « infiltration » curve shifting (cf Horton)
So…when runoff begins, the two curves F(t) and H(t) are tangent.
You can then calculate tr and Fr by shifting F until it is tangent to H as in Horton’s

method
• Compute F(t) assuming tr and Fr =0 (as in the preceeding slide : iterative method)
• Compute H(t)
• As in Horton method, shift F(t) until H(t) and F(t) are tangent
• you obtain then f(t) and the corresponding shiting time.
• Calculate then inet(t) with the function f(t) shifted

Appendix II :
More precise table for the CN values

(NSCS method)
CN depends on the soil type, on the vegetalization as well as the previous humidity conditions.
The soil type is expressed as a function of a classification into 4 categories, depending on its infiltration aptitude.
Type A soils : high infiltration magnitude, deep soils made of sand or gravels
Type B soils : medium infiltration magnitude, less deep soils, with a medium load of loess or « argiles »
Type C soils : weak infiltration magnitude, peu profonds with a medium loading of « argiles »
Type D soils : very weak infiltration magnitude, soils with high or very high content of « argile »
The previous humidty conditions are expressed from the preceeding 5 days pluviometry
A-I conditions : correspond to a dry soil

A-II conditions : correspond to medium humidity conditions
A-III conditions : when strong or « légères » rainfall events associated to low temperature occured
within the 5 preceeding days (table 6.4)
Table 6.5 gives CN values for different kind of soils and vegetalization assuming A-II conditions.
Table 6.6 gives then CN values for A-I and A-III conditions as a function of CN values for A-II
Example of values. Urban catchment
Valeurs CN
II-2 Infiltration

Session 3 Runoff Modelling Production Function 2023 2024

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Session 3 :

Runoff to Hydrograph computation

II- Effective Rainfall

III- Hydrograph computation

• Synthetic hyetograph : constant and uniform rainfall, with a chronology

Elementary Hydrogram generation

Routing of the hydrogram

Main important special structures :

Runoff modelling : two approaches

Conceptual models Mecanistic models

Hyetograph : Raw rainfall event : ib(t) + spatialization

Effective rainfall (=Pluie nette)

Hydrogram injected in the network at a given point

Runoff modelling : two approaches

Hyetograph : Raw rainfall event : ib(t)

Effective rainfall (=Pluie nette)

Global runoff coefficient (active surfaces)

Hydrogram injected in the network at a given point

ib(t) Computation of an effective an rainfall event

a) Definitions Instantantaneous coefficients

With Q(t ) =  i ( x, y, t ).dx.dy

Theoretical concept : not measurable in practice.

a) Definitions Volumetric global coefficient

 Q(t )dt Q catchement _ outlet (t )dt

Measurable quantities (volumetric balance always possible)

- As a first approximation, sometimes modeled as the imperviousness coefficient 𝐶𝑖𝑚𝑝

impervious surface Caution on the validity of this approach

Not true in general. Depends on the rainfall, degree of soil

- Tables giving a global coefficient depending on the density of habitation or surface

In pratice, knowing the surface occupation, coefficient specific to the surface

• Direct measurement and data analysis

𝐻𝑟 𝐻𝑟 : 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑑 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑚

Just draw Vr=f(Hp) to get a and b (or Hr as a function of Hp so that slope=C)

𝐶 = 𝑓(𝐶𝑖𝑚𝑝 , 𝐼𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, … )

• A constant runoff coefficient can sound physically not consistant

C(t)=a ( 1-e -b.t )

න 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 = 𝐴[න 𝐶 𝜏 𝑖𝑏 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 − 𝑃𝐼] − 𝑆(𝑡)

How to estimate this quantity ?

P in the figure correspond to Cimp in the formula above

Source : Christophe Chamoux.

Infiltration can also be modelled more precisely. In the case of

II.3.2- Hortonian runoff

a) Potential infiltration velocity

f(t) = potential infiltration velocity (mm/min or mm/h)

Guide for the choice of fc (mm/h)

Guide for the choice of f0 (mm/h)

Guide for the choice of k (h-1)

𝑖 𝑡 ∶ 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑓 𝑡 : 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐹 𝑡 = න 𝑓 𝜏 𝑑𝜏 ∶ 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛

When runoff start at tr

Hp and F are tangent at t=tr

𝑖 𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑖 𝑡 < 𝑓𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑑 (𝑡)

In the gray zone, the infiltration capacity is equal to i(t) so in(t) = 0

II.3.2- (N)SCS method

S : current storage on the catchment

II.3.2- (N)SCS method

with CN : Curve Number = coefficient d’aptitude au ruissellement

(𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 )2 (𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 )2

II.3.2- (N)SCS method

with CN : Curve Number = coefficient d’aptitude au ruissellement

(𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 𝐼𝑎 )2 (𝐻𝑝 𝑡 − 0.2𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 )2

• Proof : Infiltrated « Volumes » (from the run-off starting point)

II.3.2- (N)SCS method

The greater CN is, the stronger is the run-off