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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
10:35
A Protocol for Conducting Rainfall Simulation to Study Soil Runoff
Published on: April 3, 2014
[Local sensitivity and its stationarity analysis for urban rainfall runoff modelling]
Jie Lin1, Jin-Liang Huang, Peng-Fei Du
1Environmental Science Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. linjielh@163.com
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|November 16, 2010
Summary
Sensitivity analysis of urban runoff simulations identified Area, % Impervious, and Disconnected Storage as key parameters. These factors significantly influence total runoff volume and peak flow, especially during lighter rainfall events.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Hydrology
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Urban runoff simulation is vital for managing water resources and mitigating flood risks.
- Parameter identification and uncertainty analysis are critical steps in refining urban runoff models.
- The Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is a widely used tool for simulating urban rainfall-runoff processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a local sensitivity analysis of urban rainfall-runoff models using the Morris screening method.
- To identify the most sensitive parameters affecting total runoff volume and peak flow in urban environments.
- To investigate the influence of rainfall intensity on parameter sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Local sensitivity analysis was performed using the Morris screening method.
- The Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) was employed for urban rainfall-runoff modeling.
- Analysis focused on identifying sensitive parameters for total runoff volume and peak flow under varying rainfall conditions.
Main Results:
- Area, % Impervious, and Disconnected Storage were identified as the most sensitive parameters for both total runoff volume and peak flow.
- Parameter sensitivity was highest during rainfall events with lower intensity and decreased with heavier rainfall.
- Coefficient of variation for % Zero Impervious was notably high (221.24%-228.10%), while conductivity showed the lowest variation (0%).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the critical role of Area, % Impervious, and Disconnected Storage in urban runoff modeling.
- Understanding parameter sensitivity is essential for accurate model calibration and uncertainty assessment in urban hydrology.
- Variability in sensitivity indices across different rainfall events underscores the need for context-specific analysis.
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