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Development of a Rainfall and Runoff Simulator for Performing Hydrological and Geotechnical Tests

Author

Listed:
  • Thiago Augusto Mendes

    (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goias, Aparecida de Goiânia 74968-755, Brazil
    School of Civil Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-010, Brazil)

  • Sávio Aparecido dos Santos Pereira

    (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goias, Aparecida de Goiânia 74968-755, Brazil)

  • Juan Félix Rodriguez Rebolledo

    (Technology College, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil)

  • Maria Tereza da Silva Melo

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Catalão, Catalão 75704-020, Brazil)

  • Marta Pereira da Luz

    (School of Civil Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-010, Brazil
    Eletrobras, Furnas Centrais Elétricas S.A., Aparecida de Goiânia 74923-650, Brazil)

Abstract

Laboratory apparatuses for the analysis of infiltration and runoff enable studies under controlled environments and at reduced costs. Unfortunately, the design and construction of such systems are complex and face difficulties associated with the scale factor. This paper presents the design, construction, and evaluation of a portable rainfall and runoff simulator. The apparatus allows the evaluation of unsaturated soils with and without vegetation cover, under a wide range of simulation scenarios. The apparatus also enables the control of the intensity, size, and uniformity of simulated raindrops for variable surface slope, specimen thickness, and length conditions. The monitoring of the volumetric water content and matric suction and a rigorous computation of water balance are ensured. The obtained results indicate that the automated rainfall generator produces raindrops with Christiansen uniformity coefficients higher than 70%, and with an adequate distribution of raindrop sizes under a range of rainfall intensities between 86.0 and 220.0 mm h −1 . The ideal rainfall generator conditions were established for a relatively small area equal to or lower than 1.0 m 2 and considering rainfall events with return periods of 10 to 100 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Thiago Augusto Mendes & Sávio Aparecido dos Santos Pereira & Juan Félix Rodriguez Rebolledo & Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana & Maria Tereza da Silva Melo & Marta Pereira da Luz, 2021. "Development of a Rainfall and Runoff Simulator for Performing Hydrological and Geotechnical Tests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3060-:d:514802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xia Zhang & Guo Yu & Zhan Li & Peng Li, 2014. "Experimental Study on Slope Runoff, Erosion and Sediment under Different Vegetation Types," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(9), pages 2415-2433, July.
    2. Hafzullah Aksoy & Abdullah Gedikli & N. Erdem Unal & Murat Yilmaz & Ebru Eris & Jaeyoung Yoon & Gokmen Tayfur, 2016. "Rainfall-Runoff Model Considering Microtopography Simulated in a Laboratory Erosion Flume," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(15), pages 5609-5624, December.
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    1. Thiago Augusto Mendes & Roberto Dutra Alves & Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana & Sávio Aparecido dos Santos Pereira & Juan Félix Rodriguez Rebolledo & Marta Pereira da Luz, 2021. "Evaluation of Rainfall Interception by Vegetation Using a Rainfall Simulator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, May.

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