Corresponds

to design
sheet Evaluating Gutter and Downspout Capacity

1 Determine the required frequency storm (return period) based upon policy and need. This could range from
years for a water catchment system to 25 years for a waste management system. Precipitation amounts can
be obtained from several sources and as noted at the bottom of the computation sheet.

2 Gutter capacity is computed from Mannings equation with reasonable assumptions for the example gutter
shape. Other significantly different shaped gutters require adjustments to the equation.

3 Downspout capacity is computed from the orifice flow equation. To account for freeboard, assume a head of
0.5 inches less than maximum water depth in the gutter.

4 This is a simple comparison between 2 and 3. If Qg is greater than Qd, then "Downspout capacity controls",
will display.
The roof area served by the gutter is half of a crowned roof or all of a slanted roof. If the gutter is too small f
5 the roof area, then it is a simple matter to increase the size of the gutter or increase the number of
downspouts.

6 Multiply the length of the run by the width of the roof to get the roof area, A total. Dividing Atotal by Ar to results i
the number of downspouts (round up to an integer). Sometimes it may be more practical to increase gutter
and downspout sizes due to the limited opportunities for multiple outlets. The "total downspout(s) capacity"
could be used to determine the size for an outlet pipe or swale.
city

and need. This could range from 2

ystem. Precipitation amounts can
tation sheet.

mptions for the example gutter

e equation.

for freeboard, assume a head of

n "Downspout capacity controls",

ed roof. If the gutter is too small for

ncrease the number of

otal. Dividing Atotal by Ar to results in

more practical to increase gutter
he "total downspout(s) capacity"

April 15, 2011

 K-Style_Gutter - 3 of 3

CPS 558, Roof Runoff Structure - Gutter and Downspout Capacities (1)

Project:
Prepared By: Date:
ABC = Inputs XYZ = Results
1 Determine the rainfall intensity for a 5-minute duration storm for a given return period (2).

Frequency = 10 years
Amount, P = 0.882 inches

2 Compute the capacity of the selected gutter size. Gutter dimensions:

tw = 6.0 in
Qg = 0.01184 x Ag x r^0.67 bw = 4.625 in
d= 4.625 in
Qg = 0.36 cfs, capacity of gutter fb = 0.5 in
Ag = 21.61 sq in, cross-sectional area of gutter
wp = 13.05 in, wetted perimeter of gutter
r= 1.66 in, Ag/wp, hydraulic radius

3 Compute the capacity of the selected downspout. Downspout dimensions:

W= 3.000 in
Qd = 0.010457 x Ad x h^0.5 L= 4.000 in

Qd = 0.25 cfs, capacity of one downspout

Ad = 12.00 sq in, cross sectional area of downspout
h= 4.13 in, head (generally the depth of the gutter minus 0.5 in)

4 Comparing the above calculated capacities, Qg and Qd, Downspout capacity controls

5 Determine roof area that can be served per downspout.

The area of a roof that can be served by a gutter and downspout system is controlled by either capacity of the gutter (channel flow)
or by the capacity of the downspout (orifice flow), as shown in 2 and 3 above.

Q= 0.25 cfs, capacity of single downspout system (smaller of Qg and Qd)

Ar = 1,040 sq-ft of roof area that can be served by this single downspout with P = 0.882 inches/ 5 min.

6 Determine the number of downspouts necessary to control the water from the entire roof area.

In a multiple downspout system, the number of downspouts is determiend by dividing the entire roof area draining into the gutter,
Atotal, by the roof area that can be served by one downspout, Ar, as follows:

Total roof area to be served by this gutter system, A total = roof length x roof width.
Roof Dimensions
length = 72 ft
width = 15 ft
Atotal = 1,080 sf

Number of downspouts, Nd = Atotal / Ar = 1.04

so use 2.00

Total downspout(s) capacity = 0.51 cfs

= 229 GPM
(1) Roof Runoff Management (AWMFH, Chapter 10, pgs. 10-1
thru 10-3)

(2) As an alternative for the Pacific Islands, multiply the amount

for a 15-minute duration storm by 0.6 for a close approximation Linking to a commercial website is NOT a USDA endorsement
of the amount for a 5-minute storm. Example @ www.raingutterstore.com/ - others available
http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/pfds_map_hi.html and www.egutter.com/RAIN-GUTTERS-GUTTER-SUPPLY/K-Style-Copper-Gutters/K-Style-Gutter-Sizing-Chart
April 12, 2011

602595337.xlsx 0 K-Style_Gutter 07/27/2022