Abstract
The different peak discharge value estimated in the rational method (RM) model is caused by the various methods used to determine the runoff coefficient (C) parameter. The C value can be defined as the total amount of rainfall generated to become the runoff. Various studies have been conducted to produce C values that differ from one to another. For example, the C values suggested by the Manual of Storm Water Management (MSMA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) differed. To estimate C values, land use classification is confusing, unorganized, and not uniform, and therefore, the application of suggested C value is still doubtful to be applied in Malaysia. Thus, this research focused on estimating the C value based on the land use classification for urban areas in Penang using a rainfall simulator. The runoff coefficient will be generated from various surface types at a plot scale representing urban land use. The result obtained shows that the C values were 0.79–0.89 (asphalt), 0.85–0.92 (concrete), 0.77–0.89 (zinc), 0.73–0.85 (brick), 0.85–0.96 (asbestos), 0.8–0.93 (tiled roof), 0.17–0.63 (grass 2°–7°), and 0.35–0.69 (bare soil 2°–7°). The variation of the C value was influenced by the total amount of rainfall, surface imperviousness, soil moisture, soil and surface characteristics, slope, and vegetation cover. There were significant differences in the C value obtained in this study compared to the C value of MSMA (asphalt and brick) and the C value of ASCE (concrete and asbestos, grass, and exposed soil). Four factors that influenced the differences of C values in this research were environmental conditions, namely scale, surface physical condition, and soil antecedent moisture. The multiple comparison test showed a significant difference in the peak discharge estimated using RM compared to the gauged peak discharge. Nevertheless, peak discharge estimated from various C values in the RM did not show any statistical differences. In conclusion, this study found that the rainfall simulator could be used as a suitable and efficient modus operandi in terms of cost and time for runoff studies.
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Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Abdulla – Al Kafy, Abdullah-Al-Faisal, and Dynamic Institute of Geospatial Observation Network (DIGON) research and consultancy firm experts for proofreading the entire manuscript and doing language editing.
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This study is financially supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (Fundamental Research Grant Scheme FRGS 203/PHUMANITI/671012).
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Communicated by Broder J. Merkel
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Rahaman, Z.A. Runoff coefficient (C value) evaluation and generation using rainfall simulator: a case study in urban areas in Penang, Malaysia. Arab J Geosci 14, 2168 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08575-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08575-1