LADOTD 24-HOUR RAINFALL FREQUENCY MAPS AND I-D-F CURVES. SUMMARY REPORT

Maximum annual 24-hour rainfall maps and Intensity-Duration-Frequency (I-D-F) curves for return periods of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years were developed using hourly precipitation data. Data from 92 rain gauges for the period of 1948 to 1987 were compiled and combined into 26 synthesized stations. Five probability distributions and three parameter estimation techniques were tested. The best combination for Louisiana rainfall data was found to be Log-Pearson Type 3 distribution (LPEAR3) with parameter estimation by the method of moments. A first-order error analysis was performed on the parameters of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) runoff model and LPEAR3 distribution. Computed runoff was found to be equally sensitive to both SCS parameters, rainfall input and the curve number. Computed quantiles from LPEAR3 distribution were found to be most sensitive to the mean of data and relatively insensitive to the skew coefficient. It is anticipated that the rainfall maps and I-D-F curves developed in this study will result in more reliable design and consequently, in savings in both construction and maintenance and highway drainage structures.

  • Record URL:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Louisiana Transportation Research Center

    4101 Gourrier Avenue
    Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70808

    Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

    1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
    Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Naghavi, B
    • Singh, V P
    • Yu, F X
  • Publication Date: 1991-8

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Pagination: 28 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00636314
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA-91/236
  • Contract Numbers: 90-1SS(B)
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Sep 13 1993 12:00AM