Sensitivity analysis of gully sidewall expansion to topography and rainfall factors

Author(s):  
Ma Yulei ◽  
Xu Xiangzhou

<p>Gully sidewall expansion is an essential process of gully development, and its trigger condition and dynamic process are subject to multifactor effects. This study consisted of 10 sets of experiments, and three factors were considered: three rainfalls (60 mm, 48mm and 24mm), two initial slope gradients (70° and 80°) and two slope heights (1 m and 1.5 m). Then the increase-rate-analysis method was used to evaluate the variations in the changes of slope gradients of sidewall and retreat rates of gully shoulder-line with respect to changes in other causal parameters of rainfall and topography. The results are shown as follows: (1) The area of land loss of the upper gentle slope was positively correlated with the volume of gravity erosion. The correlation coefficient between the volume of gravity erosion and the area of land loss of the upper gentle slope, r<sub>1</sub>, is 0.91. The correlation coefficient between the volume of water erosion and the area of land loss of the upper gentle slope, r<sub>2</sub>, is 0.59. This shows that mass failure was the main cause to induce the land loss of the upper gentle slope in the process of sidewall expansion. (2) The rainfall duration and initial slope gradient had significant influences on the change of slope gradient of landform in the experiments. The sensitivity coefficients of rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, initial slope gradient and slope height for the change of slope gradient of the sidewall were 0.3, 2.2, 1.3 and -0.2, respectively. The increased initial slope gradient and rainfall duration may have caused the increases of the volume and number of gravity erosion, ultimately resulting in a remarkable change of slope gradient of the sidewall. (3) The most significant factor affecting the retreat rate of gully shoulder-line were rainfall intensity and initial slope gradient. The sensitivity coefficients of the rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, initial slope gradient and slope height for the retreat rate of gully shoulder-line were 3.0, 1.5, 3.0 and -0.1. As a result, the retaining wall construction was preferable to control the gully sidewall erosion. The results of this study may be referred for analyzing the mechanism of sidewall expansion and controlling the loess sidewall expansion.</p>

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Juan ◽  
Wu Pute ◽  
Zhao Xining

Soil infiltration is a key link of the natural water cycle process. Studies on soil permeability are conducive for water resources assessment and estimation, runoff regulation and management, soil erosion modeling, nonpoint and point source pollution of farmland, among other aspects. The unequal influence of rainfall duration, rainfall intensity, antecedent soil moisture, vegetation cover, vegetation type, and slope gradient on soil cumulative infiltration was studied under simulated rainfall and different underlying surfaces. We established a six factor-model of soil cumulative infiltration by the improved back propagation (BP)-based artificial neural network algorithm with a momentum term and self-adjusting learning rate. Compared to the multiple nonlinear regression method, the stability and accuracy of the improved BP algorithm was better. Based on the improved BP model, the sensitive index of these six factors on soil cumulative infiltration was investigated. Secondly, the grey relational analysis method was used to individually study grey correlations among these six factors and soil cumulative infiltration. The results of the two methods were very similar. Rainfall duration was the most influential factor, followed by vegetation cover, vegetation type, rainfall intensity and antecedent soil moisture. The effect of slope gradient on soil cumulative infiltration was not significant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Shojaei ◽  
Zahra Kalantari ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino

AbstractSoil degradation due to erosion is a significant worldwide problem at different spatial (from pedon to watershed) and temporal scales. All stages and factors in the erosion process must be detected and evaluated to reduce this environmental issue and protect existing fertile soils and natural ecosystems. Laboratory studies using rainfall simulators allow single factors and interactive effects to be investigated under controlled conditions during extreme rainfall events. In this study, three main factors (rainfall intensity, inclination, and rainfall duration) were assessed to obtain empirical data for modeling water erosion during single rainfall events. Each factor was divided into three levels (− 1, 0, + 1), which were applied in different combinations using a rainfall simulator on beds (6 × 1 m) filled with soil from a study plot located in the arid Sistan region, Iran. The rainfall duration levels tested were 3, 5, and 7 min, the rainfall intensity levels were 30, 60, and 90 mm/h, and the inclination levels were 5, 15, and 25%. The results showed that the highest rainfall intensity tested (90 mm/h) for the longest duration (7 min) caused the highest runoff (62 mm3/s) and soil loss (1580 g/m2/h). Based on the empirical results, a quadratic function was the best mathematical model (R2 = 0.90) for predicting runoff (Q) and soil loss. Single-factor analysis revealed that rainfall intensity was more influential for runoff production than changes in time and inclination, while rainfall duration was the most influential single factor for soil loss. Modeling and three-dimensional depictions of the data revealed that sediment production was high and runoff production lower at the beginning of the experiment, but this trend was reversed over time as the soil became saturated. These results indicate that avoiding the initial stage of erosion is critical, so all soil protection measures should be taken to reduce the impact at this stage. The final stages of erosion appeared too complicated to be modeled, because different factors showed differing effects on erosion.


2011 ◽  
Vol 347-353 ◽  
pp. 2302-2307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Xiang Wang ◽  
Yi Shi ◽  
Jian Ma ◽  
Cai Yan Lu ◽  
Xin Chen

A field experiment was conducted to study the characteristics of non-point source nitrogen (N) in the surface runoff from sloping croplands and the influences of rainfall and cropland slope gradient. The results showed that dissolved total N (DTN) was the major form of N in the runoff, and the proportion occupied by dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) ranged from 45% to 85%. The level of NH4+-N was generally higher than the level of NO3--N, and averaged at 2.50 mg·L-1and 1.07 mg·L-1respectively. DIN was positively correlated with DTN (R2=0.962). Dissolved organic N (DON) presented a moderate seasonal change and averaged at 1.40 mg·L-1. Rainfall amount and rainfall intensity significantly affected the components of DTN in the runoff. With the increase of rainfall amount and rainfall intensity, the concentrations of DTN, NH4+-N and NO3--N presented a decreased trend, while the concentration of DON showed an increased trend. N loss went up with an increase in the gradient of sloping cropland, and was less when the duration was longer from the time of N fertilization.fertilization.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosmina A. Bustami ◽  
Nor Azalina Rosli ◽  
Jethro Henry Adam ◽  
Kuan Pei Li

 In the process of a design rainfall, information on rainfall duration, average rainfall intensity and temporal rainfall pattern is important. This study focuses on developing a temporal rainfall pattern for the Southern region of Sarawak since temporal pattern for Sarawak is yet to be available in the Malaysian Urban Storm Water Management Manual (MSMA), which publishes temporal pattern for design storms only for Peninsular Malaysia. The recommended technique by the Australian Rainfall and Runoff (AR&R) known as the ‘Average Variability Method’ and method in Hydrological Procedure No.1-1982 are used to derive design rainfall temporal pattern for the study. Rainfall data of 5 minutes interval from year 1998 to year 2006 for 7 selected rainfall stations in the selected region is obtained from Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). The temporal rainfall patterns developed are for 10 minutes,15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, 180 minutes and 360 minutes duration. The results show that Southern region of Sarawak has an exclusive rainfall pattern, which is different from the pattern developed for Peninsular Malaysia.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2268
Author(s):  
Wenbin Ding ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Kai Jin ◽  
Jianqiao Han ◽  
Qiang Yu ◽  
...  

The magnitude and spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation are the main drivers of hydrologic and agricultural processes in soil moisture, runoff generation, soil erosion, vegetation growth and agriculture activities on the Loess Plateau (LP). This study detects the spatiotemporal variations of individual rainfall events during a rainy season (RS) from May to September based on the hourly precipitation data measured at 87 stations on the LP from 1983 to 2012. The incidence and contribution rates were calculated for all classes of rainfall duration and intensity to identify the dominant contribution to the rainfall amount and frequency variations. The trend rates of regional mean annual total rainfall amount (ATR) and annual mean rainfall intensity (ARI) were 0.43 mm/year and 0.002 mm/h/year in the RS for 1983–2012, respectively. However, the regional mean annual total rainfall frequency (ARF) and rainfall events (ATE) were −0.27 h/year and −0.11 times/year, respectively. In terms of spatial patterns, an increase in ATR appeared in most areas except for the southwest, while the ARI increased throughout the study region, with particularly higher values in the northwest and southeast. Areas of decreasing ARF occurred mainly in the northwest and central south of the LP, while ATE was found in most areas except for the northeast. Short-duration (≤6 h) and light rainfall events occurred mostly on the LP, accounting for 69.89% and 72.48% of total rainfall events, respectively. Long-duration (≥7 h) and moderate rainfall events contributed to the total rainfall amount by 70.64% and 66.73% of the total rainfall amount, respectively. Rainfall frequency contributed the most to the variations of rainfall amount for light and moderate rainfall events, while rainfall intensity played an important role in heavy rainfall and rainstorms. The variation in rainfall frequency for moderate rainfall, heavy rainfall, and rainstorms is mainly affected by rainfall duration, while rainfall event was identified as a critical factor for light rainfall. The characteristics in rainfall variations on the Loess Plateau revealed in this study can provide useful information for sustainable water resources management and plans.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 00053
Author(s):  
Karolina Mazurkiewicz ◽  
Marcin Skotnicki

The paper presents the results of an analysis of the influence of synthetic rainfall duration and location of rainfall intensity peak on the rate of the flood volume in surcharged storm sewers. The analyzed rainfalls had durations from 15 minutes to 180 minutes. It was assumed, that the rainfall peak location would change between the beginning and the end of the rainfall with increments of 10% of the rainfall duration. Outflow simulations were performed with the use of SWMM5.1.012 for three models of real urban catchments with surfaces from 1.6 km2 to 6.7 km2. An assessment of the influence of rainfall parameters was made on the basis of the flood volume rates. Short rainfalls with peaks located at the beginning of rainfall duration do not generate flooding. For other rainfalls it was found that for a specified rainfall duration the flood volume increases with the increase of time of the rainfall peak location. The maximum flood volume varied from 5% to 12% of the total runoff volume, depending on the catchment area, and is generated by the rainfall, whose intensity peak occurs right after the time corresponding to the flow time through the catchment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 506-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiamei Sun ◽  
Dengxing Fan ◽  
Xinxiao Yu ◽  
Hanzhi Li

Abstract Litter produced by forests performs crucial functions in rainfall interception and soil conservation, particularly in the condition that larger raindrops formed by canopy accelerate soil erosion. To explore how forest litter exerts runoff hydrological characteristics and sediment yield processes, experiments on forest covered (Vitexnegundo var. heterophylla) slopes were conducted under various combinations of rainfall intensities and slope gradients. The results showed that litter reduced runoff yield rate by 9–31% and reduced sediment yield rate by 65–90%, with mean runoff and sediment reductions of 18% and 76% for all treatments. On forest covered slopes, Reynolds number and runoff power generally increased with the increase in both rainfall intensity and slope gradient. Litter layer reduced Reynolds number and runoff power with 8–29% and 56–80%, respectively. Darcy–Weisbach resistance coefficient decreased by increasing rainfall intensity and slope gradient. Litter layer increased Darcy–Weisbach resistance coefficient by three to nine times. Relationships between sediment yield rate and Reynolds number, runoff power, Darcy–Weisbach resistance coefficient were described by exponential, linear, power functions, respectively. The critical runoff power values for slopes with and without litter were 0.0027 and 0.0010 m/s, respectively. Reynolds number was the best hydrodynamic parameter for dynamic erosion characterizing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Qian ◽  
Dongbin Cheng ◽  
Wenfeng Ding ◽  
Jiesheng Huang ◽  
Jingjun Liu

Abstract Hydrological processes play important roles in soil erosion processes of the hillslopes. This study was conducted to investigate the hydrological processes and the associated erosional responses on the purple soil slope. Based on a comprehensive survey of the Wangjiaqiao watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir, four typical slope gradients (5°, 10°, 15°and 20°) were applied to five rainfall intensities (0.6, 1.1, 1.61, 2.12 and 2.54 mm·min-1). The results showed that both surface and subsurface runoff varied greatly depending on the rainfall intensity and slope gradient. Surface runoff volume was 48.1 to 280.1 times of that for subsurface runoff. The critical slope gradient was about 10°. The sediment yield rate increased with increases in both rainfall intensity and slope gradient, while the effect of rainfall intensity on the sediment yield rate was greater than slope gradient. There was a good linear relationship between sediment yield rate and Reynolds numbers, flow velocity and stream power, while Froude numbers, Darcy-Weisbach and Manning friction coefficients were not good hydraulic indicators of the sediment yield rate of purple soil erosion. Among the three good indicators (Re, v and w), stream power was the best predictor of sediment yield rate (R2 = 0.884). Finally, based on the power regression relationship between sediment yield rate, runoff rate, slope gradient and rainfall intensity, an erosion model was proposed to predict the purple soil erosion (R2 = 0.897). The results can help us to understand the relationship between flow hydraulics and sediment generation of slope erosion and offer useful data for the building of erosion model in purple soil.


Solid Earth ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 985-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Dai ◽  
Z. Liu ◽  
H. Shao ◽  
Z. Yang

Abstract. The influence on soil erosion by different bedrock bareness ratios, different rainfall intensities, different underground pore fissure degrees and rainfall duration are researched through manual simulation of microrelief characteristics of karst bare slopes and underground karst crack construction in combination with artificial simulation of rainfall experiment. The results show that firstly, when the rainfall intensity is small (30 and 50 mm h−1), no bottom load loss is produced on the surface, and surface runoff, underground runoff and sediment production are increased with the increasing of rainfall intensity. Secondly, surface runoff and sediment production reduced with increased underground pore fissure degree, while underground runoff and sediment production increased. Thirdly, raindrops hit the surface, forming a crust with rainfall duration. The formation of crusts increases surface runoff erosion and reduces soil infiltration rate. This formation also increases surface-runoff-erosion-damaged crust and increased soil seepage rate. Raindrops continued to hit the surface, leading the formation of crust. Soil permeability showed volatility which was from reduction to increases, reduction, and so on. Surface and subsurface runoff were volatile with rainfall duration. Fourthly, when rock bareness ratio is 50 % and rainfall intensities are 30 and 50 mm h−1, runoff is not produced on the surface, and the slope runoff and sediment production present a fluctuating change with increased rock bareness ratio. Fifthly, the correlation degree between the slope runoff and sediment production and all factors are as follows: rainfall intensity-rainfall duration-underground pore fissure degree–bedrock bareness ratio.


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