Comparison of Infiltration Equations Using Flooding Infiltrometer Data

by David B. Thompson, (M.ASCE), Texas Tech Univ, Lubbock, United States,
Margaret Medellin, (S.M.ASCE), Texas Tech Univ, Lubbock, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Based on three flooding infiltrometer tests, 27 hydrographs produced by HEC-1 were used to compare peak discharge, time to peak, and storm runoff volume using three infiltration functions. Infiltration functions used were Horton's equation Smith's equation, and the HEC-1 initial abstraction uniform loss rate function. Computed peak discharges and storm runoff volumes all fell within a 10 percent range and all times to peak were within one computational interval. Therefore, it appears that little loss of accuracy may be implied by use of simple loss-rate functions, even the simplest form used in HEC-1, provided that the selected function fits field data. Further study is required using a greater variety of field tests before general conclusions can be determined.

Subject Headings: Infiltration | Floods | Field tests | Water discharge | Storms | Runoff | Hydrographs

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