A project report

On

Determining Aerial Precipitation by Different

Geometrical Methods

Group 2

1. Misbah Ur Rehman BCE163036

2. Raheel Fayyaz BCE163089
3. Huzayfa Ghazi BCE163024
4. Wajhat Khan BCE163027

Submitted To
Usman Hussain

Spring 2019
Hydrology and Water Resources Management Lab
Department of Civil Engineering

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 Contents
CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.1 Multan and Climate................................................................................................................ 3
1.2.2 Multan Map and Area ................................................................................................................ 4
1.2.3 Theisen Polygon Method ....................................................................................................... 5
1.2.4 Isohyetal Method: .................................................................................................................. 5
1.2.5 Arithmetic Average Method: ................................................................................................. 6
CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 AutoCAD .................................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Theisen Polygon method ........................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Isohyetal method ....................................................................................................................... 8
2.4 Arithmetic Average Method ..................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Results ................................................................................................................................................. 8
3.1.1 Average precipitation from Theisen Polygon method ........................................................... 8
3.1.2 Average precipitation from Isohyetal method........................................................................ 8
3.1.3 Average precipitation from Arithmetic Average method ...................................................... 8
3.2 Using Excel ............................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Comparison ......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Comparing Between the three methods .................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 5 ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 10
CHAPTER 6 ......................................................................................................................................... 10
References ......................................................................................................................................... 10

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 CHAPTER 1
1.1 Abstract
The purpose of this research is to find out the average precipetation of different stations data
of multan. The adopted average precipetation methods are mean average method, thiessen
polygon, isohyetal method. Multan is 7th largest country of pakistan and located near to
Chenab river.

1.2 Introduction
Point precipitation of different stations were given in order to convert them into average
precipitation. To solve this problem different methods were undertaken to solve it. These
methods include Theisen Polygon, Isohyetal method and arithmetic average method. The area
selected on which these methods will be solved was the city of Multan. Further introduction to
the city and the methods are given below

1.2.1 Multan and Climate

Multan is a city in Punjab, Pakistan. Located on the banks of the Chenab River, Multan
is Pakistan's 7th largest city, and is the major cultural and economic center of southern
Punjab.

Fig 1.1 Multan City

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 Multan features an arid climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The average
annual precipitations 186 millimeters (7.3 in).

Multan is known for having some of the hottest weather in the Pakistan. The highest
recorded temperature is approximately 52 °C (126 °F), and the lowest recorded
temperature is approximately −1 °C (30 °F)

Fig 1.1 Multan Climate Chart

1.2.2 Multan Map and Area

The total area of Multan is 572.34 km2 .The coordinates of Multan are
30°11′52″N 71°28′11″E.

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 Fig 1.2 Multan City Map

1.2.3 Theisen Polygon Method

Theisen polygon method is used to determine the average rainfall on a catchment area.
In this method, we draw triangles by joining all the rain gauges and then polygons are
formed by their perpendicular bisectors. Now each rain gauge represents the rainfall of
the polygon area which encloses that rain gauge.

Fig 1.3 Theisen Polygon Method Example

1.2.4 Isohyetal Method:

The isohyetal method is used to estimate the mean precipitation across an area by
drawing lines of equal precipitation. The method uses topographic and other data to
yield reliable estimates. Isohyets are contours of equal precipitation analogous to
contour lines on a topographic map. In the isohyetal method, precipitation values are
plotted at their respective stations on a suitable base map, and isohyets are drawn to
create an isohyetal map. Isohyetal lines are based on interpolation between rain gauge
stations. While constructing isohyets, it is assumed that rainfall between two stations
varies linearly, unless abrupt changes in topography indicate otherwise.

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 Fig 1.4 Isohyetal Method Example

1.2.5 Arithmetic Average Method:

When the area of the basin is less than 500 km2 this method implies summing up of all
the rainfall values from all the rain gauging stations and then dividing it by the number
of stations in that basin. The method becomes very clear by the use of a tabular form.

Fig 1.5 Arithmetic Average Formula

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 CHAPTER 2
Methodology
2.1 AutoCAD

Using AutoCAD, the map was copied to sheet and by using the polyline command
boundaries were set for the map. And then grid was plotted to the map.

2.2 Theisen Polygon method

This method was done in different steps. The steps are mentioned below:

1. At first stations were plotted respectively on the map in sequence with the data given.
2. The point precipitations were joined together in the form of triangles.
3. Each line formed in the triangles were bisected and mid points were calculated.
4. The mid points were joined to form up a polygon.
5. Then number of boxes were calculated comprised by each station in the polygon.
6. The number of boxes calculated were multiplied by area of one box found by dividing
total area of map by total number of boxes in the map.
7. Precipitation was multiplied by area of the polygons.
8. Then sum of all (P*A) was divided by total area.
9. Average precipitation was calculated by the above-mentioned formula.

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 2.3 Isohyetal method
Some steps are same as that of polygon theissen method with some amendments made.

1. First of all, range was set (0-50) and isohyets were drawn on the grid.
2. Then the step number 5,6,7,8,9 were repeated with respect to that number of boxes
and area was comprised by Isohyets.

2.4 Arithmetic Average Method

It is the simples by which total sum of precipitations of stations were divided by total number
of stations.

CHAPTER 3
Results
3.1.1 Average precipitation from Theisen Polygon method
3.1.2 Average precipitation from Isohyetal method
3.1.3 Average precipitation from Arithmetic Average method
3.2 Using Excel
Calculations were done through excel. The screenshot is attached underneath.

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 CHAPTER 4
Comparison
4.1 Comparing Between the three methods:

Arithmetic average Theissen Polygon Method: Isohyetal Method:

method:

1. Assumes uniform 1. Assumes linear 1. Theoretically the most

distribution and easiest variation and requires time accurate method but
method. and mechanically difficult, confusing and
elaborated method. time-consuming method.

2. Very seldom occurs Use when gages are not It also Can use when gages
uniformly distributed outside of watershed

3. least accurate Intermediate Most accurate

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 CHAPTER 5
Conclusion
The conclusion is here after that these three methods used to find average precipitation
according to their work method are accurate to find the results. But latter on it can be
differentiated by time consumption and their work load difficulty.

CHAPTER 6
References

 Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multan#Climate

 Retrieved from:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Multan+google+map&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPK849PK
849&oq=Multan+google+map&aqs=chrome..69i57.10039j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=
UTF-8

 Retrieved from: https://sciencing.com/calculate-using-rainfall-thiessen-method-

6799886.html

 Retrieved from: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/water/precipitation/calculating-

average-depth-of-precipitation-3-methods/60452

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