HYDROLOGY APPARATUS

(WITH DATA LOGGING SOFTWARE)

 Contents

1. Aim …………………………………… 1

2. Introduction …………………………………… 1

3. Description …………………………………… 3

4. Accesories Required …………………………………… 7

5. Optional accessories …………………………………… 7

6. Starting Procedure …………………………………… 8

7. Computerised operating procedure …………………………………… 11

8. Observation table …………………………………… 21

9. Specification …………………………………… 21

10. Formulae …………………………………… 21

11. Precautions & Maintenance Instruction …………………………………… 22

12. Troubleshooting …………………………………… 23

 HYDROLOGY APPARATUS
(WITH DATA LOGGING)
AIM
To study the rainfall hydrology in a open channel.

Study the following experiments

 Rainfall-runoff relationship (storm hydrograph).

 Study of hydrograph.
 Study of sedograph.
 Generation of overland flow.
 Scours in open channel flow.
 Water abstraction from well in a confined aquifer.
 Water abstraction from a number of neighbouring wells.

INTRODUCTION
This Hydrology Apparatus is to demonstrate, on a small scale, some of the physical
processes found in hydrology. These processes fall into two released categories,
the relationship between rainfall and run-off from catchment area of varying
permeability, and the abstraction of ground water by wells. Both with and without
surface recharge from rainfall.

The hydrology cycle describes the complete movement of water between the
atmosphere, the land surface and the water masses of the earth. There are a
number of possible routes that water can follow in moving round this cycle.

Ground water also flows laterally under the influence of slopes, to reappear at
the surface either to form spring or to increase stream flow by rivers infiltration
through the bed.
Abstraction from wells is another way in which water can leave a catchment area
and it can, therefore be thought of as forming part of the run-off.

A proper understanding of these processes and their inter-relationship is

essential for many purpose. Engineers are commonly concerned with the
provision of water supplies for urban and irrigation needs: with the estimation of
flood magnitude and frequencies: with the consequence of land draining works
on flood risks, on the use of wells to de-water construction excavation and the
draining of lakes and polders.

Geologists and geographers frequently faces with problems which involve

hydrological processes such as drawing up a water balance for a catchment area,
the investigation of morphological processes in rivers and streams, and the
control of mud flow and soil erosion caused by surface and sub-surface water
flows.

The range of experimental capabilities is significantly increased by the provision of

a river inlet tank and outlet collecting tank. These enables a range of fluvial
mechanics experiments to be carried out in related topic such as river flow and
sediment transport, initiation and characteristic of bed-load motion, general and
local scour in open channel flow etc.

DESCRIPTION
The equipment consists of a sand tank that is mounted in a support frame with
the necessary services, features and instrumentation to facilitate studies of
ground water flow, ground water abstraction, flood hydrograph and fluvial
mechanics.

FRAME

The frame incorporates an adjustable leveling bolts to allow the equipment to be

leveled. It suggested that the top edge of the sand tank be used as the datum
when leveling the equipment. Frame is also provided with wheels to made it
movable while not loaded with sand.
The frame incorporates a screw jack at one end that allows the sand tank to be
elevated. The jack is linked so that the sand tank remains stable when raising or
lowering. The jacking handle is simply rotated clockwise to raise the sand tank or
anticlockwise to lower the sand tank.

WATER FEEDS

A sump tank and centrifugal pump mounted in the frame, beneath the sand tank,
provides water for the various demonstrations. Water exiting the sand tank from
the various outlets returns to the sump tank under gravity for reuse. A drain valve
is connected to the sump tank for draining. The centrifugal pump draws water
from the sump tank. Water from the pump passes through two parallel feed
arrangement, each incorporating a feed flow control valve. One feed through
independent rotameter goes to Nozzle assembly and second with independent
rotameter goes either to the inlet of sand tank or to the French drain. To achieve
these conditions appropriate ball and gate valve arrangements are provided.

SAND TANK

The sallow sand tank is fabricated from stainless steel for corrosion resistance and
should be filled with sand or other granular material with sufficient height for
experimentation. An array of tapping points in the sand tank floor is connected to
a multi-tube manometer that enables the water table surface (phreatic surface)
to be determined. The level in each tube can be read by the scale provided on the
back of the tube of the manometer. Before using the manometer to measure
water level, it is important to expel the air from the flexible tubes, connected to
the manometer tapping points. Each tapping in the sand tank floor incorporate a
filter mesh to retain the sand while allowing the water to flow. Two cylindrical
wells are also included in the sand tank floor. The wells are covered with stainless
steel mesh to prevent the loss of sand. Valves and pipe work beneath the sand
tank allow the water draining from each well to sump tank. The two well are
purposely designed to be short in length so that can be left in position without
affecting the surface flow experiments.
A perforated pipe in the form of the French drain is buried in the sand at each end
of the sand tank. These allow water to be drained from the sand tank or admitted
to the sand tank as required. Each French drain is connected through the side wall
of the sand tank to a flexible tube. The flow of water can be varied using the in-
line valves. When it is required to admit water to the sand tank the valve are
provided to open or close the water feeds.

A deep cut-out at the outlet of the sand tank allow water (and transported
sediment) to leave the sand tank. This cut-out incorporates side slots that locate
stop-logs (rectangular strips of stainless steel) that create a rectangular weir.
Adding or subtracting stop-logs of different sizes can vary the height of the weir.

OUTLET COLLETING TANK

Water and sediment exiting the sand tank via the weir is deposited into the outlet
collecting tank that is designed to measure the flow of water and collect any
sediment washed from the sand tank. This tank is fabricated from stainless steel
and incorporate the following features:-

The water and sediment fall into the open area of the tank. A horizontal mesh
screen separates a tank in two parts top and bottom, it ensures that sediment is
retained in the top tank. The water flows in bottom tank through the mesh, along
a stilling channel and over a narrow rectangular notch before discharging into a
funnel that returns the water to the sump for re-use. The flow rate of the water is
determined from the height of the water upstream which is calculated with the
help of level sensor. The sensor output is calibrated directly in litr/min.

Sediment falling into the tank is deposited in the top of the tank. The sand can be
removed by lifting the tank clear from the support.

The Hydrology Apparatus has been supplied with additional instrumentation and
USB interface which help to determine sediment weigh and water flow
continuously using a PC.
DATA LOGGING AND EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

Data logging facility in this system is user friendly, in this system our all sensors
are calibrated and directly interface with the data logger. This software is labview
based, all results from experiment directly displayed on the computer screen and
all data will be saved in the computer we also take a print of our results which are
displayed. In this setup level sensor gives the flow rate reading on computer and
load cell gives the weight of sand collected during the experiment which also
transfer data to computer , rainfall control is also with the help of solenoid valves.

OVERHEAD SPRAY NOZZLES

Rainfall onto the catchment area is provided by 2x4 rows of spray nozzles above
the tank, mounted on a support frame. The height of the spray nozzles above the
sand tank can be varied to optimize the demonstration by adjusting the height of
the support frame. This is achieved by raising or lowering the support frame to
the required height. One person at each end of the equipment should hold the
support frame while performing the adjustment.

An isolating electrically operated valve on each set of nozzle allows the pattern to
be changed as required. The flexible tube from the arrangement of spray nozzles
is connected to one of the water feed. The height of nozzles should be adjusted
according the required flow rate to give adequate coverage over the sand without
excessive spray over the side of the sand tank.

RIVER INLET TANK

A river inlet tank allows a stream of water to flow onto the surface of the sand,
simulating the flow from a river upstream. The river inlet tank is fabricated from
stainless steel and is bolted to the end walls of the sand tank adjacent to the
shallow cut-out. Water enters at the base of the tank, flows upward through a
bed to minimize any turbulence then flow sideways onto the surface of the sand
through a rectangular section.
CHOICE OF GRANULAR METERIAL FOR THE SAND TANK

It has been found through experimentation that well-graded silica in the range
16/30 mesh (1500 micron to 500 micron) will allow all of the experiment
described in the experimentation manual to be carried out without the need to
change the sand between runs. To minimize the cost of filling the tank it is
suggested 16/30 mesh swimming pool silica filter grit be used. 550kg of sand will
be required to fill the tank.

Before loading any sand into the sand tank it is most important that the sand
should be first thoroughly washed to remove all silt and salts present. After filling
the sand tank with the sand it is suggested that the water circulated via the
French drain for a period of approximately one hour should be drained from the
sump tank and then re-filled with clean water.

ACCESSORIES REQUIRED
Scraper

When the sand tank has been filled with the sand, the surface profile for the
various experiments can be formed using the scraper.

Sand Scoop

Having, created general surface profile, using the scraper, any local features or
channels can be created using the small scoop.

Fabricated trays and rings

Circular open ended ring, 500mm distance*60mm high

Small square open ended ring, 300mm*300mm*60mm high

Closed ring with removable central clear plastic standpipe, 500mm diameter
60mm high.

Rectangular ring = 1000mm length, 500mm width, 60mm height

Bridge piers = circular, rectangular with flat end, rectangular with round nose,
rectangular with sharp nose(one each).

RAINFALL-RUNOFF RELATIONSHIP (STORM HYDROGRAPH)

THEORY

A graphical record of flow and time is called hydrograph. Figure shows a typical
hydrograph resulting from a single rainstorm. The timing and intensity of the
rainfall is shown by the block in the upper part of this figure. Under these
circumstances, the recession curve part of the hydrograph is delayed until the rain
stops.

During the early stage of the rainstorm, so long as no recent rain has fallen, the
ground will be able to absorb the water falling on it and add it to the ground
water already present. When all the voids are filled, the excess must flow over the
surface and enter the stream directly as surface flow. It is this surface flow first
reaching the point of concentration that produces a sharp rise in the hydrograph
and this hydrograph discontinuity can be used to separate the ground water
contribution from the direct run-off, as indicated in figure. The hydrograph shown
in figure is typical for storms of duration shorter than the time of concentration of
the catchment.
Procedure

Stream flow from a single storm

Before this experiment is carried out, the sand tank should be set to slope of
about 1%. With the help of scrapper make a smooth surface parallel to the top
edge of the tank, then use the sand scoop to create a channel of rectangular cross
section centrally. The channel should be approximately 4 cm wide by 2 cm deep
Open the rotameter valve of the overhead spray nozzles on the 8 ltr/min flow
rate.

Stream flow for a long duration storm

Turn on the nozzles to simulate rainfall and select the rainfall flow rate in
between 1 and 10 ltr/min. Allow rain to fall long enough to give a steady run-off
value. Turn of the flow and record the recession limb of the hydrograph. Using a
software the discharge over weir with respect to time, shows the hydrograph
form in the software screen.

The experiment may be repeated for different rainfall flow rates, smaller
catchment areas (by closing some of the valves to the rainfall nozzles) and for
small differences in slope.

Stream flow from multiple storms

Open the valve of river inlet tank. Open the rotameter valve of the overhead
spray nozzles. Adjust flow rate for river and nozzles using control valve provided.
The sand bed should be allowed to drain following any previous use of the
apparatus.

This experiment can be carried out by arranging a first storm of duration rather
less (say 50%) than the time of concentration.

Follow it by a second storm of the same duration while the recession limb of the
first one is still quite high. The discharge value must be recorded continuously
from the start of the first storm, and the resulting double hydrograph when
plotted will show previously saturated catchment. The method for drawing the
hydrograph, outlined in “Stream flow for a single storm”, may be used.

Stream flow with reservoir storage

The effect of a flood detention reservoir on the run-off from a standard storm can
be demonstrated by using the accessories provided. The circular ended ring can
be used when partly buried in the sand to form a circular reservoir, and the closed
ring can, similarly, be used to retain the rain that fall on it and to release the
water slowly through the centre aperture. It may prove necessary to use all
available vessels to simulate detention reservoirs and it will be found that
inverted dustbin lids serves well so long as they have a small drainage hole made
in their centre.

COMPUTERIZED OPERATING PROCEDURE

STARTING PROCEDURE
1. Clean the tanks , ensure that sump tank and sand tank are free from dust.
2. Level the apparatus properly with the help of the leveling bolts.
3. Before start the experiment choose the tilting angle of the sand tray.
4. Fill water in the sump tank upto 3/4th level.
5. Connect power supply to the system.
6. Also connect the computer to the system via USB cable.
7. First copy the hydrology software from C.D to the computer D- drive.
8. Then open the hydrology folder from D- drive.
9. Click on the installation note and follow the instructions of downloading
the software.
10.Finally the shortcut of hydrology will be generated on the desktop.
11.Insert the licence key provided, in the USB of PC.
12.Click on the hydrology icon from desktop.
13.Now initially fill the weir tank upto the weir cut level at bottom so that
level in the software screen will be showing zero level.
14.Press the tare load button make sure the level(H) should be zero mm
before start experiment.

15.Then click on cyclogram button.

16.Then feed time input for all 4 solenoid valves to open or close the nozzles.

17.Then press save and apply button and then click back button.
18.Be sure that the bypass valve should be fully opened before starting the
pump.
19.Then click the Pump ON button, now pump will start.

20.After that click start button and close the bypass valve according to
adjusting flow rate from rotameters.
21.Then put the flow rate values in F1 and F2 according to flow rate adjusted
in rotameters.
22.Then wait for a time which we put in a cyclogram till the rain stops.
23.Then still wait so that the level (H) decreased to 5mm from its maximum
head or wait till the stop button colour changes from green to red.
24.Now our experiment will be over and all values will be saved in the graph.
25.Then click on the graph button.
26.Graph report page will be generated. Now click on open file button.

27.Now D-drive will be opened then select the folder of date of experiment.
( Note- if you not select any file from this folder the error window may be
occur with two option “continue” or “cancel”. Then you have to press
“continue”). Then you can follow previous steps to open the file.
28.Now graph report will generate on screen. Then press save report button.

29.Then go-back to main button.

30.Then you can exit from the experiment by clicking on exit button.

31.Now for print of report you go to D- drive and select hydrology _Data
folder.
32.Select test result folder. Then select report folder from it.

33.Then choose the date of experiment folder and then click the report
which is generated as per time of experiment.
34.Then take a print of report.
OBSERVATION TABLE
Sr no. Time since start of Rainfall flow rate River inlet flow
rain (sec.) (ltr/min) rate (ltr/min)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

LINE DIAGRAM OF HYDROLOGY SETUP

SPECIFICATION
Sand tank dimensions = 2000mm length * 1000mm width* 200mm height

Sump tank = 800mm* 700mm* 450mm

No of nozzles = 8

Weir tank = 450mm height * 400mm width * 400mm breadth

Pump = centrifugal pump make Eterna (model HL-42)

Power = 0.8H.P , single phase

Head range = 8-36 meter

Rotameters = 10 LPM each

FORMULAE
General equations

Rainfall intensity (mm/hr) = {(Rainfall flow rate (ltr/min) ÷ catchment area (m2)
} × 60

Sediment transport rate (gm/s) = (sediment yield (gm) ÷ time taken(s))

Sediment yield = total weight on load cell – weight of water (L × B × H) , where H

is the continuous head on weir which is directly displayed in software screen

Discharge of weir = 𝑐 ×𝐿 × 2𝑔 × (𝐻) × 1000 ………L/sec

Cd = 0.6

L = 0.004 m

H = Head on weir (m

g (gravitational acceleration) = 9.81 m/s2

Channel cross-sectional area (m2) = average channel width (m) × average channel

Depth (m)

Velocity (m/s) = discharge (m3/s) ÷ channel cross-sectional area (m2)

Froude number = velocity (m/s) ÷ √(g × average depth (m))

PRECAUTIONS
1. Any water contained within the product must not be allowed to stagnate,
i.e. the water must be changed regularly.
2. Any rust, sludge, scale or algae on which micro-organism can feed must be
removed regularly, i.e. the equipment must be cleaned regularly.
3. Although the sand tank cannot move suddenly when adjusting the
elevation, extreme care should be taken when operating the jacks to
prevent crushing of fingers, hands or other objects between the upper and
lower frames.

TROUBLESHOOTING
1. The equipment should be disconnected from the electrical supply when not
in use.
2. To preserve the life of the pump and to avoid heating of the water inside
the pump body, the pump should not be left running when there is no flow
of water into the sump tank.
3. Water should be drained from the equipment when it is not in use.
4. If clean washed sand is used in the sand tank and the water has been
changed at regular interval then annual cleaning is all that will be required.
5. If the maximum flow rate through the spry nozzles falls below 2.5 litres/min
then it will be necessary to clean the nozzles. The nozzle should be refitted
after cleaning using PTFE tape to seal the threads.

REFERENCES
1. Swanson, N.P. Rotating–boom rainfall simulator. Trans. ASAE 1965, 8, 71–
72.
2. Foster, G.R.; Neibling, W.H.; Natterman, R.A. A Programmable Rainfall
Simulator; American SocietyAgricultural Engineers: St. Joseph, MI, USA,
1982.
3. Moore, I.D.; Hirschi, M.C.; Barfield, B.J. Kentucky rainfall simulator. Trans.
ASAE 1983, 26, 1085–1089.
 4. Miller, W.P. A solenoid–operated, variable intensity rainfall simulator. Soil
Sci. Soc. Am. J. 1987, 51, 832–834.
5. Yvonne, S.; Martine, J.; Ploeg, V.D.; Teuling, A.J. Rainfall Simulator
Experiments to Investigate Macropore Impacts on Hillslope Hydrological
Response. Hydrology 2016.

LINE DIAGRAM WITH NOMENCLATURE

8am:-

7am:-
5am:-