A simple automatic procedure for generation of 6 minute rainfalls

Abstract

The model for stochastic generation of 6 minute rainfalls generates daily rainfalls using a well tested model and then disaggregates the daily totals into 6 minute diurnal patterns. The disaggregation process uses a file of stored patterns taken from the nearest pluviometer record. The selection of a pattern for disaggregation depends on the month of the year and the amount of rainfall in the day. After initial disaggregation to 6 minute patterns, the generated data are adjusted to make the generated monthly and annual means, and standard deviations match those from the input data. Results are given for annual, monthly and daily means and standard deviations, and for sub-daily intensities compared with IFD data prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology. Nonlocal pluviometer data from up to 160 km from the study site gave good results, showing that the system can be used with daily rainfall data at the site of interest and pluviometer data from some distance away.

Keywords:

• Rainfall
• Intensity
• Frequency
• Duration
• stochastic models
• rainfall generation
• 6 minute rainfalls

Additional information

Notes on contributors

W Boughton

Professor Walter Boughton is a civil engineer with an ME from the University of New South Wales and a PhD from the University of Queensland. In 197778, he was Chairman of the College of Civil Engineers and a member of the National Council of Engineers Australia. From 1976 to 1990, he was on the academic staff of Griffith University in the School of Australian Environmental Studies, and he was Chairman of that School in 1982–84. Now retired, he is an Honorary Professor of Griffith University.

Walter is known for his research work in modelling the rainfall-runoff processes in catchment areas. He produced the original Boughton model in 1964, the SFB model in 1984, and the AWBM model in 1993, which is now widely used in Australia. In 1988, he was awarded the inaugural GN Alexander Medal by Engineers Australia for his catchment research. In 2004, he was received the Arid Lands Hydraulic Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was the editor of the 1999 publication A Century of Water Resources Development in Australia 1900–1999.