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CE 485 - Engineering Hydrology Spring Term 2001

Monday and Wednesday 8:00 - 10:05 PM, 155 BEC Instructor: Bob Pitt Current Catalog Data: Hydrologic principles including hydrologic cycle, precipitation data, stream flow measurements and application of stream flow data, runoff, evaporation, transpiration, and groundwater. Applications to engineering problems related to groundwater yield, streamflow analysis, watershed management and probability as basis for design. Prerequisite: CE 333. 3 hours (2.0 S, 2.0 D). Textbook: Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall. 2nd edition. 1998. Course Goals: To introduce the student to various, and conflicting, current runoff and drainage design methods used in engineering practice. To select the most appropriate design tool for different conditions. Prerequisite by Topic: Basic water flow behavior, drainage design procedures, and rainfall-runoff mechanisms (as developed in CE 333). Class Topics: Approx. Unit (and major text chapter) Hrs 1. Introduction (weather and hydrology) (Chapter 1) 2 2. Watershed characteristics and soil mapping (Chapter 3) 4 3. Precipitation (Chapter 4) 2 4. Infiltration (Chapter 9.5) 2 5. Evaporation and transpiration (Chapter 14) 1 6. Field streamflow measurements 2 Exam 7. Peak discharge analysis and design with the rational method, AL DOT regression methods, NRCS TR-20/55 (with HydroCAD) (Chapter 7) 9 8. Hydrograph analysis and synthesis (Chapters 8 and 9) 2 9. Small storm hydrology and drainage designs for the future considering water quality objectives 6 10. Watershed modeling using COE HEC-HMS 10 Field trip (some Saturday or Sunday, to be determined) Last day of class, May 30, 2001. Final Exam on Wednesday, June 6, 2001, 7 to 10 PM. Major Course Assignments: 1) the class will work together on a moderate-sized watershed (Brookwood) to obtain basic watershed characteristics, and to calculate hydrograph and flow information using different tools. 2) students will individually work on their “home water” watershed (the 3rd order stream containing their current residence) and conduct similar analyses as the Brookwood assignment. 3) students will construct and use a rain gage to measure rainfall at their home for the duration of the term. 4) students will utilize small infiltration apparatus to measure infiltraiton rates in urban soils. 5) evaluate Birmingham area rainfall for long-term trends and patterns 6) we will have a Saturday or Sunday field trip to calibrate the Manning’s equation in a small local stream using flow monitoring equipment. 7) the final hydrographic analyses will utilize current design models used by local and nationwide engineering firms.

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Design Activities: Students develop design flow rates and hydrographs for many different watershed and land use conditions. They learn to select the most appropriate method for different conditions and appreciate the inherent errors associated with design. They also examine varying rainfall characteristics that affect design standards. Computer Activities: Several currently used computerized design tools are extensively used in this class, including NRCS and HEC methods. Laboratory Activities: A day-long field exercise is conducted at a local stream to conduct flow measurements using current meters. Students are also introduced to simple surveying and water/sediment sampling equipment. Demonstration of Written Communication Skills: All examinations are by written project reports. The field exercise also requires a written report. Demonstration of Oral Communication Skills: Students present the results of their comparative method analyses to the class as part of their final examination. Inter-disciplinary and Project Work: Students are encouraged to work together outside of class on their design, computer, and research projects. In addition, the field stream survey assignment is a team effort, where the students work together as a team to obtain the needed information. The class also functions as a design team on the major class project, where the Brookwood watershed is evaluated in many different ways. The students are able to compare their individual results and procedures through this group project, before they conduct additional individual designs. Understanding of Ethical, Social, Economic, and Safety Considerations: These are all significant factors related to hydrology and are therefore addressed in this class. Economics and safety are especially important in hydrology and are the general basis for design standards and guidance. ABET (Accrediation Board for Engineering and Technology) Category Content: 1. Engineering Science 2 Semester Hours or 67% 2. Engineering Design 1 Semester Hours or 33% 3. Mathematics None 4. Other None Notes: 1) Written examinations will be given twice during the term. The final exam will cover all material covered in class. The exams will all be take-home individual projects, unless otherwise noted in advance. 2) Environmental engineering practice requires cooperative efforts between many disciplines and other engineers. In addition, accuracy and complete documentation of procedures and information sources is mandatory. Any presentations (written or oral) must also be of a professional quality. In order to gain appropriate experience and to make your engineering education as relevant as possible to engineering practice, the following grading criteria will be used in this class: • You are expected to attend all class sessions, except for unusual circumstances, and participate in class discussions. • You are expected to complete all assignments in a timely manner. You may work together on these assignments, and they are expected to be of a professional caliber (neat, well documented, and correct). Routine homework assignments will be collected at the end of the term (on the day of the final). However, students may be periodically called upon to present and discuss homework solutions to the class. • Special project assignments and labs (including take-home exams) will be collected for grading during the term. Not all project assignments will have obvious “correct” answers, nor will all needed

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information necessarily be given to you. You will probably be required to use the library and other resources to obtain needed information. Major assignments may at times seem vague, just as in the real world (not because your instructor is lazy or unorganized!). • If you complete an assignment as given, and it is correct and presented in a professional manner, you will have done what is expected and will receive an “above average” (B) grade. You will receive an “excellent” grade (A) only for work of an outstanding caliber that goes beyond the minimum assignment. Therefore, the final letter grades in the class will not generally be arbitrarily divided by >90% “A”, 80 - 89% “B”, etc. I do not grade on a curve, but the grades are in order of performance and I look for clusters of performance. 3) A field exercise will also be conducted. All students will be required to attend (unless prior arrangements are made) and all must submit a complete report. 4) Approximate grading: 10% class participation (based on class discussions and completion of all homework and project assignments), 55% exams/projects/labs, 10% homework, 25% Final Examination. 5) If you need to know your final class grade before it is mailed by the University, you must give me a stamped, self-addressed envelope at our last class meeting. It is against University regulations for the Departmental office to give out grades, so don't even ask! Undergraduate Educational Objectives (to meet ABET 2000 requirements): 1. Prepare students to be competent in the fundamentals of design and analysis in the following four areas of civil engineering:

• structural engineering, • environmental engineering, • transportation engineering, and • geotechnical engineering;

2. Provide the knowledge needed to conduct laboratory experiments and analyze/interpret data related to those four areas of civil engineering competency; 3. Prepare students to use computers appropriately for civil engineering applications; 4. Provide opportunities and experiences of the overall civil engineering project process including teamwork, communication, presentation, and technical writing.

Desired Outcomes, Graduates of the UAB Civil Engineering Program will have: 1 The ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering; 2 The ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data; 3 The ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs; 4 The ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams; 5 The ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; 6 The understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; 7 The ability to communicate effectively;

8 The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;

9 A recognition of the need for, and the ability to engage in life-long learning; 10 A knowledge of contemporary issues;

11 The ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;

12 The ability to use computers for civil engineering applications.

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Detailed List of Course Reading Materials

•• Unit 1. Introduction (Weather and Hydrology) “Introduction to hydrology.” Chapter 1, Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall.

2nd edition. 1998.

•• Unit 2: Watershed Characteristics and Soil Mapping “Watershed characteristics.” Chapter 3, Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall.

2nd edition. 1998. Brookwood quadrangle map Watershed definitions and contours from Fundamental Land, K.F. Lane and J.M. Roberts, 1979. Elements of Topographic Drawing, R.C. Sloane and J.M. Montz, chapoter 1 contours and contour sketching.

1943. USDA Soil Texture Classification, Jefferson Co. Dept. of Health soil texture types. Appendix P-1: texture by feel analysis (USDA) Appendix P-2: field guide to soil texture classes (USDA) Chapter 3: Time of concentration and travel time, USDA, TR-55, Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds.

1986. Tc example problem Appendix A; Hydrologic soil groups, TR-55 “Summary of time of concentration formulas” from Applied Hydraulics, Chow.

•• Unit 3: Precipitation “Precipitation.” Chapter 4, Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall. 2nd edition.

1998. Local Climatological Data (LCD) example Long-term Birmingham rainfall data Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curve for Birmingham SCS Type I and Type II precipitation distributions Alabama design rainfall depths by county Appendix C: Nondimensional rainfall and IDF curves Toronto area rainfall totals (for homework assignment) “Rainfall Analyses” from Sub-surface Drainage of Flexible Pavements, AL DOT, by R. Pitt and R. Durrans “Storm Rainfall Depth” excerpt from National Engineering Handbook Series, USDA “Nearest rainfall gauge doesn’t cut it” Water Environment & Technology. April 1995, pg. 56. “Rainfall monitoring as part of receiving water investigations” excerpted from Manual for Evaluating

Stormwater Runoff Effects, CRC Press. A. Burton and R. Pitt, to be published in 2000. “Nor’easters,” R.E. Davis and R. Dolan. American Scientist. Sept-Oct. 1993. Pgs 428-439. “Predicting Disaster,” H. Petroski. American Scientist. March-Apr 1993. Pgs. 110-113. “El Niño’s ill wind.” T.Y. Canby. National Geographic. Feb. 1984. Pgs. 144-183. “Red River of the North flood of 1997 – was it the big one?” T.H. Yorke and R.E. Harkness. Newsletter od the

Water Science and Technology Board, National Research Council, July/Aug 1997. Pgs.1-3. “Appendix B: Synthetic rainfall distributions and rainfall data sources,” TR-55

•• Unit 4: Infiltration “Infiltration.” Chapter 9.5, Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall. 2nd edition.

1998. “Estimation of Green-Ampt infiltration parameters.” Summary from Handbook of Hydrology, D.R. Maidment,

McGraw-Hill. 1993. Pg. 5.1-5.39. “Infiltration and the Green-Ampt equation” excerpts from J.E. Parson’s (North Carolina State Univ.) web page “Application of the Green-Ampt infiltration equation to watershed modeling.” W.P. James, J. Warinner, and

M. Reedy. Water Resources Bulletin. Vol. 28, no. 3. June 1992, pp 623-635.

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“Infiltration through disturbed urban soils,” R. Pitt, J. Lantrip and T. P. O'Connor, ASCE Hydraulics Conference, Minneapolis, MN. 2000.

“Transforms & nonlinear regressions,” SingaStat and SigmaPlot user’s Manual.

•• Unit 5: Evaporation and Transpiration “Evaporation.” Chapter 14, Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall. 2nd edition.

1998.

•• Unit 6: Streamflow Measurements Figures of USGS field reports, from Hydrology for Engineers R.K. Linsley, et al. Mc-Graw-Hill, 1982. Annual runoff from throughout the US Selected record peak flows in the US Discharge measurement notes

•• Unit 7: Peak discharge analysis and design with the rational method, AL DOT regression methods, NRCS TR-20/55 (with HydroCAD) “Peak discharge estimation.” Chapter 7, Hydrologic Analysis and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall.

2nd edition. 1998. “ Selection of hydrology analysis methods” Illinois soil and erosion and sedimentation control handbook.

1988. Estimating Flood Hydrographs and Volumes for Alabama Streams. D.A. Olin and J.B. Atkins. USGS for AL

DOT. Report 88-4041. 1988. “Overview of SCS procedures” notes “SCS tabular hydrograph method” notes and detailed example and uniform flow computation review. “Chapter 5: tabular hydrograph method.” Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds. TR-55, USDA, NRCS.

1986. Appendices A through F. Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds. TR-55, USDA, NRCS. 1986. “HydroCAD Tutorial.” Applied Microsystems Systems.

•• Unit 8: Hydrograph analysis and synthesis “Hydrologic design methods,” Chapters 8 and “Hydrograph analysis and synthesis.” 9, Hydrologic Analysis

and Design, Richard H. McCuen. Prentice Hall. 2nd edition. 1998. “Muskingum routing method” notes •• Unit 9: Small Storm Hydrology and Drainage Designs for the Future considering Water Quality Objectives “The integration of water quality and drainage design objectives.” Excerpted from R. Pitt, Stormwater Quality

Management. CRC Press, NY. Expected to be published in 2001. “Current and future design practices.” Excerpted from: Pitt, R., M. Lilburn, S. Nix, S.R. Durrans, S. Burian, J.

Voorhees, and J. Martinson Guidance Manual for Integrated Wet Weather Flow (WWF) Collection and Treatment Systems for Newly Urbanized Areas (New WWF Systems). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 612 pgs. 1999.

•• Unit 10: Watershed modeling using COE HEC-HMS “HEC home page information” “Release notes” dated March 1999 for HECHMS version 1.1. HEC-HMS Hydrologic Modeling System User’s Manual. CPD-74. Version 1.0, March 1998.