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Kirpich

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81 views4 pages

Kirpich

Uploaded by

michaelcalongcong07
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Kerby-Kirpich Method

The Kerby-Kirpich approach produces time of concentration estimates consistent


with watershed time values independently derived from real-world storms and
runoff hydrographs. Similar to other methods for calculation of t c, the total time of
concentration is obtained by adding the overland flow time (Kerby) and the channel
flow time (Kirpich):

Equation 4-13.
Where:
tov = overland flow time
tch = channel flow time
The Kerby-Kirpich method for estimating tc is applicable to watersheds ranging from
0.25 square miles to 150 square miles, main channel lengths between 1 and 50
miles, and main channel slopes between 0.002 and 0.02 (ft/ft) (Roussel et al. 2005).
Main channel slope is computed as the change in elevation from the watershed
divide to the watershed outlet divided by the curvilinear distance of the main
channel (primary flow path) between the watershed divide and the outlet.
No watersheds with low topographic slopes are available in the underlying
database. Therefore, the Kerby and Kerpich methods are not usually applicable to
watersheds with limited topographic slope. However, Cleveland et al. 2012 makes
recommendations for adjustments to the method to allow more realistic results for
low topographic slope watersheds. See Time of Concentration.

The Kerby Method


For small watersheds where overland flow is an important component of overall
travel time, the Kerby method can be used. The Kerby equation is

Equation 4-14.
Where:
 tov = overland flow time of concentration, in minutes
 K = a units conversion coefficient, in which K = 0.828 for traditional units and
K = 1.44 for SI units
 L = the overland-flow length, in feet or meters as dictated by K
 N = a dimensionless retardance coefficient
 S = the dimensionless slope of terrain conveying the overland flow
In the development of the Kerby equation, the length of overland flow was as much
as 1,200 feet (366 meters). Hence, this length is considered an upper limit and
shorter values in practice generally are expected. The dimensionless retardance
coefficient used is similar in concept to the well-known Manning’s roughness
coefficient; however, for a given type of surface, the retardance coefficient for
overland flow will be considerably larger than for open-channel flow. Typical values
for the retardance coefficient are listed in Table 4-5. Roussel et al. 2005
recommends that the user should not interpolate the retardance coefficients in
Table 4-5. If it is determined that a low slope condition or a transitional slope
condition exists, the user should consider using an adjusted slope in calculating the
time of concentration. See Time of Concentration.
Table 4-5: Kerby Equation Retardance Coefficient Values

Generalized terrain description Dimensionless reta

Pavement 0.02

Smooth, bare, packed soil 0.10

Poor grass, cultivated row crops, or moderately rough packed surfaces 0.20

Pasture, average grass 0.40

Deciduous forest 0.60

Dense grass, coniferous forest, or deciduous forest with deep litter 0.80

The Kirpich Method


For channel-flow component of runoff, the Kirpich equation is:

Equation 4-15.
Where:
 tch = the time of concentration, in minutes
 K = a units conversion coefficient, in which K = 0.0078 for traditional units
and K = 0.0195 for SI units
 L = the channel flow length, in feet or meters as dictated by K
 S = the dimensionless main-channel slope
If it is determined that a low slope condition or a transitional slope condition exists,
the user should consider using an adjusted slope in calculating the time of
concentration. See Time of Concentration.

Application of the Kerby-Kirpich Method


An example (shown below) illustrating application of the Kerby-Kirpich method is
informative. For example, suppose a hydraulic design is needed to convey runoff
from a small watershed with a drainage area of 0.5 square miles. On the basis of
field examination and topographic maps, the length of the main channel from the
watershed outlet (the design point) to the watershed divide is 5,280 feet. Elevation
of the watershed at the outlet is 700 feet. From a topographic map, elevation along
the main channel at the watershed divide is estimated to be 750 feet. The analyst
assumes that overland flow will have an appreciable contribution to the time of
concentration for the watershed. The analyst estimates that the length of overland
flow is about 500 feet and that the slope for the overland-flow component is 2
percent (S = 0.02). The area representing overland flow is average grass (N = 0.40).
For the overland-flow tc, the analyst applies the Kerby equation,

from which tov is about 25 minutes. For the channel t ch, the analyst applies the
Kirpich equation, but first dimensionless main-channel slope is required,

or about 1 percent. The value for slope and the channel length are used in the
Kirpich equation,

from which tch is about 32 minutes. Because the overland flow t ov is used for this
watershed, the subtraction of the overland flow length from the overall main-
channel length (watershed divide to outlet) is necessary and reflected in the
calculation. Adding the overland flow and channel flow components gives total time
of concentration for a watershed of about 57 minutes. Finally, as a quick check, the
analyst can evaluate the tc by using an ad hoc method representing t c, in hours, as
the square root of drainage area, in square miles. For the example, the square root
of the drainage area yields a tc estimate of about 0.71 hours or about 42 minutes,
which is reasonably close to 57 minutes. However, 57 minutes is preferable. This
example is shown in Figure 4-7.

Figure 4-7. Example application of Kerby-Kirpich method

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