Theoretical evaluation of concentration time and storage coefficient with their application to major dam basins in Korea

Abstract

This study theoretically evaluated the basin concentration time and storage coefficient with their empirical formulas available worldwide. The evaluation results were also validated in the application to major dam basins in Korea. The findings are summarized as follows. As a result of analytical analysis, the concentration time was found to be proportional to the main channel length under laminar flow conditions and to the square of it under turbulent flow conditions, but inversely proportional to the channel slope. It was also found that the storage coefficient and the concentration time are linearly but loosely related. Most empirical formulas for the concentration time concurred with the basic equation form, but just a few for the storage coefficient. Applications to major dam basins in Korea also showed that the concentration time agrees well with the result of theoretical analysis. However, the behavior of the storage coefficient varied much, basin by basin, indicating that additional factors may be needed to explain it.