Holy Angel University

School of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Civil Engineering

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
HDROLOGY
First Semester, AY 2020 - 2021

Name / Student No. : Cunan, Yna Marielle C. | 20609954

RATING
Section and Schedule : CE – 304 | 6:05p-7:05p TTh
Date of Examination : September 10, 2020
Instructor : Engr. Neal Lorenzo P. Castillo

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill out all the blank spaces above with correct details.

2. Perform a research by classifying the recent developments in Hydrologic Modelling that present a
global approach to the understanding of the behavior of Hydrologic Cycle to make better
predictions and to face the major challenges affecting Construction sites.

3. Anyone who directly copied contents from a classmate / author will be marked zero. Plagiarism will not be
tolerated and therefore, paraphrase if you must.

4. The research must contain the following:

a. Introduction
b. Body
c. Conclusion
d. Learning and Application to my career
e. References

5. The research must also follow this format:

a. Font style: Times New Roman
b. Font size: 12
c. Spacing: Double
d. Section titles must be centered and bold
e. Indent first line of each paragraph

6. Download this file and edit your output directly in this file then convert it to pdf.

7. Pass your papers in the submission page where you downloaded this file.

8. Rubric for assessment is available below. Kindly view it for you to know how your paper will be graded.

9. Sample format is provided after the rubric. (Edit in that section. DELETE THE SENTENCES COLORED IN
RED. All writings should be in black)

10. Submission File name: PE_HDROLOGY_SECTION_SURNAME_NAME INITIAL.pdf

(e.g. PE_HDROLOGY_CE307_LOZANO_A.pdf)

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 1 of 2

 Rubric for Assessment
(Score/100) *
Excellent Proficient Acceptable Needs Improvement
Category Weight Weight
100 75 50 25
• Exceptionally clear, • Clear research • Generalized • The research lacks
focused, and which maintains a supporting details clarity and focus
interesting paper. consistent focus
from beginning to • Conclusion tends • Conclusion is not
• Strong, rich end. to summarize the coherent and not
supporting details and research helpful
Content and examples that prove • Specific
40%
Focus the research. supporting details
are present.
• A meaningful
conclusion explaining • A clear conclusion
the importance of the as to why the
research and how it research is
can be used. important.
• Strong introduction • Clear introduction • Introduction is • Unable to clearly
and conclusion and conclusion present but not identify introduction
clear and conclusion
• Consistent and • Uses clear
coherent logical transitions • Paper shows • Lack of
progression attempt of consistency and
Organization 25%
transition order
• Uses clear and skillful between
transitions paragraphs • Paper shows little
or no attempt of
transition

• Written in formal • Majority of paper • Most language is • Paper frequently

language (avoids written in formal appropriate to uses informal
slang completely if language (1-2 topic language
not needed) instances of use
of informal • Some parts of • Language is not
• Elaborate and colorful language is paper written in appropriate to topic
language detected) student’s own
words • Message is unclear
• Consistently strong • Language
Style 15% and varied sentence appropriate to • Majority of paper is
structure topic plagiarized

• Written in student’s • Words convey

own words intended message

• Majority of paper
written in
student’s own
words
• Follows format • 3-5 errors found in • Inconsistent • Format is ignored
guidelines format format and 5-10 in most parts of the
Sources /
10% errors are found paper
Format
in the format • 11 or more errors
are found
• Superior editing. • Careful editing. • Evidence of • Poor editing:
Rarely makes Makes 3-5 errors editing can be
mistakes in the in the following seen: a. Spelling and
following areas: areas: grammatical
a. Extensive errors make it
a. Spelling and a. Spelling and spelling and difficult to read
Conventions 10%
mechanics mechanics grammatical the paper
errors
b. Correct usage and b. Correct usage
grammar and grammar

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 2 of 2

 Introduction

The establishment of a certain building is not approved just by choosing a location.

Construction considers factors which will affect the establishment’s future usefulness. One of these

major factors is climate. Hydrologic cycle or more commonly known as the water cycle deals with

precipitation, condensation, evaporation, or anything that deals with water in terms of atmospheric and

environmental factors. Precipitation is the most dealt phase of the cycle as this affects life forms with

great advantages as well as disadvantages. The hydrologic cycle has a massive impact on soil moisture,

the runoff and streamflow of water on land, river flow, and etc.

Hydrologic models are used to analyze the impact of the hydrologic cycle and human activities

on water resources and land where hydrology occurs. The results gathered from hydrologic models also

provide aid in construction. Sharma et al., (2008) all state that models are representation of systems. An

ideal model requires lesser parameters and provides closer results to reality (Dwarakish, et al., 2015).

Hydrologic models are also widely used to study the effects of climate on soil properties. This is where

construction takes great advantage on these hydrological models. Construction takes place mostly on

land and there are different factors to consider when building any type of establishment—may it be

residential, commercial or non-commercial. The land where the structure stands on is one of these

factors—soil properties are studied. The model creates a visual on how hydrologic processes are present

in order for proper construction. Civil engineers could make use of hydrologic models to secure certainty

on the decisions to be made in terms of structure, materials, location and etc.

Over time, models have been developed and improved due to complexity of modeling. Models

have made use of simulation in order to achieve results. The process of simulation does not provide the

most accurate results and so measurement of data is performed. Making use of both methods could

eliminate the chance of bigger errors. Model calibration has improved the use of field-observed values

such as groundwater level and drainage basin (Yu, 2015). Engineers who will make use of hydrologic

models could take advantage of this calibration since these later models are capable of reproducing more

concrete results.

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 3 of 2

 Body

Hydrology deals with water, its occurrence, the way it circulates, and the way it reacts with the

environment and living things. In construction, the personnel involved must respond to these external factors

which could affect the structure of the building and how it will stand in the future. Appropriate materials

must be used and proper study of the location should be conducted. Hydrologic models are very essential

in managing the environment and water resources although hydrologic predictions are, more frequently

based on incomplete and uncertain data (Giesen et al., 2008). The complexity has urged for further

developments and calibration. The process of calibration is as shown below:

Figure 1. Process of hydrological model calibration

According to Dwarakish et al. (2015), models usually make use of groundwater and water basins

as inputs although they are not the only physical parameters used as sources of data. Others include, rainfall,

air temperature, soil characteristics, topography and hydrogeology. Most models are categorized as runoff

models. Runoff is the phenomenon in which precipitated water returns to reservoirs when water does not

infiltrate the soil. Runoff occurs in two processes—saturation excess and infiltration excess. The former

occurs when water exceeds the soil’s hold capacity and the excess gets directed to another location through

overland flow. The latter on the other hand, is when water flows to a different area as rainfall exceeds the

maximum rate (Avant et al., 2017).

Hydrologic models are classified into different types mainly empirical or metric, conceptual or

parametric, and physically based models. Empirical or metric models are also called data driven models.

These are usually mathematical models which rely only on provided information to produce results. These

models use correlation and regression when involved with mathematical equations to find the relationship

of inputs and outputs. Conceptual methods or parametric models on the other hand make use of all

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 4 of 2

components of hydrological processes and describe them. They illustrate how hydrological basins are

interconnected and how they are refilled by precipitation and emptied out by evaporation. Parameters in this

model are not only assessed by field data but also make use of calibration. Lastly, physically based models

are mathematical representations of real systems. This method makes use of physical and concrete variables

and so only makes use of limited resources. The input used for calibration lean more towards the given

variables and do not make use of hydrological and meteorological data.

Although there are various categories, not all models can fit into one category as they make use of

different processes. Models have become more sophisticated over time, thus giving more advantage to users

especially to individuals who are required to evaluate lands like civil engineers. Runoff models have

improved over time. The first runoff method which was the Rational Method published in 1851 made use

of sequential graphs which show the average precipitation, soil water retention index, and the specific time,

in order to calculate runoff. This runoff method is still used in the NWSRFS (National Weather Service

River Forecasting System) which is a conceptual model. This allows to separate storm event streamflow

from baseflow. This model is useful in construction and building as weather is a very big factor to consider

as it affects the safety of the occupants of a constructed building.

Another model is the MIKE SHE model (Systeme Hydrologique European). This model was

developed in 1990. This model greatly concerns agricultural processes as it simulates surface and

groundwater movement, its processes, how pesticides, sediments, and nutrients are transported in the model

itself. As seen on the illustration of the model below, it is also a runoff model, and could also be benefitable

in terms of construction as it concerns the soil’s properties and water capacity.

Figure 2. MIKE SHE model

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 5 of 2

 Another example which can be used in

construction is the VIC model (Variable Infiltration

Capacity model). This semi distributed grid based

model balances equations with the use of water and

energy. It simulates saturation excess runoff through

consideration of soil heterogeneity and precipitation.

The model as shown in the figure, is composed of three

layers. The top layer is equipped with quck soil

evaporation, the middle layer shows the response of Figure 3. VIC model

soil to rainfall events, and the bottom layer represents soil moisture. The VIC model’s calibration has

made the simulation of the two processes of runoff possible. This model is now commonly used to a

number of basins and is used to predict climate and changes in land cover.

Runoff models have been calibrated and developed overtime and studies the way water circulates

in land. The data gathered in these models are not always accurate as there is always uncertainty in terms

of climate, and how phenomena occur. The development of hydrologic models and their integration,

through the complexity and uncertainty, has come to the point of improvement in which it is easier to

predict certain processes which affect the environment and life.

Conclusion

Construction benefits from these hydrologic models as it concerns weather, soil, and other

external factors. A building must stand and endure all these factors and so the area must be studied with

great intent. With the help of calibration, hydrologic models have now evolved. These models are very

complex and usually require a lot of inputs and make use of parameters for more accurate results. They

provide data which could help to make decisions about land, what materials should be used, or if the

specific studied area is good enough for it to be used on various things such as construction. Other models

such as weather forecast models has been useful to individuals as weather is hard to predict. Hydrologic

models have been useful to the point that these forecast models are used every day over time. There is

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 6 of 2

still development in these models since they need more improvement for more accuracy and to reduce

the uncertainty of how hydrology occurs.

Learning and Application to My Career

This study has given me deep knowledge on hydrologic models and how they are commonly used

in the world to create predictions. As a civil engineer, I was given an overview on the specialty of

geotechnical engineering. There are a lot of factors to consider when constructing buildings namely the

location of the building, the materials to be used, the dimensions, the building code, and in this case, the

way it will be affected in nature through the way the soil will withstand the amount of water, storms, hot

weather, and a lot more. There are more models to be studied which were not included. I observed how

these models were created through trial and error, and how they are still being improved today. There is

always uncertainty on how hydrological processes will affect the environment and other life forms. It is a

huge contribution to the environment that hydrologic models were created and still continuously studied as

they could provide more accurate results in the future.

References

Alcantara, M., Ames, D., Edwards, C., Guiterrez, A., Jones, N., Krewson, C., Nelson, E., Roberts, W., &

Shakya, K. (2019). A New Approach to Address Hydroinformatic Challenges in Developing Countries.

Hydrologic Modeling as a Service (HMaaS). doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.0015

Avant, B. et al. (2017). An Overview of Rainfall-Runoff Model Types. Office of Research and

Development National Exposure Research Laboratory. Athens, Georgia

Dwarakish, G. (2015). International Conference on Water Resources, Coastal and Ocean Engineering: A

Review on Hydrological Models. Aquatic Procedia (4), 1001-1007. sciencedirect.com

Geurink, J. et al. (2006). Introduction to the Integrated Hydrologic Model (IHM).

Giesen, N. (). Model complexity control for hydrologic prediction. Water resources research, 44.

doi:10.1029/2008WR006836

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 7 of 2

North G. (2014). Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences (2nd Ed.). Cambridge University, UK.: Elsevier

Sharma, K. D., Sorooshian, S. & Wheater, H. (2008). Hydrological Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid

Areas. New York : Cambridge University. Press. 223 p. ISBN-13 978-0-511-37710-5.

Singh, V. (2018). Hydrologic modeling: progress and future directions. Geoscience Letters 5 (15).

doi.org/10.1186/s40562-018-0113-z

Prepared by: Reviewed and Verified by:

Engr. Aline Benneth V. Jacobo Engr. Neal Lorenzo P. Castillo

Faculty OBE Coordinator, Civil Engineering Department
Approved by:

Engr. Angelito N. Angeles

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 8 of 2

 Chairperson, Civil Engineering Department

PRELIM EXAM / HYDROLOGY Page 9 of 2