Implementation of infiltration in surface runoff models during short heavy rainfall events

Abstract

In a sub-catchment area of the river Wupper in the urban area of Wuppertal, Germany, a hydrodynamic 1D/2D dual drainage model is set up and calibrated by means of the infiltration during a heavy rain event on May 29, 2018. It turns out that even during a heavy rain event in an urban area, a significant proportion of the precipitation infiltrates. In order to estimate infiltration processes during short heavy rain events, established field tests are first examined and evaluated with regard to their applicability to the context of heavy rain events. A physical model is set up in laboratory to verify infiltration processes during heavy rain events by varying individual parameters. The overall goal of the presented study is to develop an easy-to-carry field test that provides information about the infiltration processes depending on site-specific parameters during heavy rain events. Based on the results an infiltration approach will be developed to be used either in 2D urban flood modelling or 1D/2D dual drainage models.