MEMO FOR CLASS EXAMPLES

Example 1
Consider as an example of a swale within your locality. Design information about the swale
collected include:
➢ Manning’s coefficient, n = 0.05
➢ Longitudinal slope, S = 0.0279
➢ Discharge, Q = 0.0023 m3/s for Δt = 100 minutes.
➢ Infiltration, f = 7.5 cm/hr
➢ Side slope, z = 7
Now, answer the following questions:
a) What swale length would be necessary to infiltrate all the waters? [L = 208.38 m]
b) If only 76 m of length were available, how much storage volume is necessary?
[Volume = 11.05 m3]

Example 1 Given,

- Manning’s coefficient, n = 0.05.

- Longitudinal slope, S = 0.0279.
- Discharge, Q = 0.0023 m3/s for Δt = 100 minutes
- Infiltration, f = 7.5 cm/hr
- Side slope, z = 7.

Consider equation for triangular cross-section shaped swale,

a) Swale length, L,

𝐾𝑄 5⁄8 𝑆 3⁄16
𝐿=
𝑛3⁄8 𝑓

44300 × 0.00235⁄8 × 0.02793⁄16

𝐿=
0.053⁄8 × 7.5

L = 208.38 m

b) Storage volume of swale,

Q(Δt) - Qf(Δt) = Volume of swale

 8
3 5
𝐿𝑛8 𝑓
𝑄(∆𝑡) − [ 3 ] (∆𝑡) = 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
𝐾𝑆 16
8
76 × 0.053/8 × 7.5 5
0.0023 × 100 × 60 − [ ] × 100
44300 × 0.02793/16
× 60 = 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

13.8 − 2.7479 = 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 11.05 𝑚3

Example 2
Consider a triangular shaped swale with local type of grass (n = 0.04) and an infiltration rate of 10
cm/hr. It is decided that the swale should have side slopes, z = 6, and a longitudinal slope, S =
0.005. This swale must also effectively infiltrate all the runoff that comes from a contributing
impervious area of 0.2 ha that has a constant rainfall intensity of 1.25 cm/hr. With a triangular
cross-sectional shape as stated,

a) Determine the length of swale. [L = 268.77 m]

b) If only 122 m of swale length are available and the runoff hydrograph lasts for only 200
minutes, how much additional storage is necessary? [Volume = 59.74 m3]
c) If the cross-sectional shape of the swale were to be trapezoidal with a bottom width of 15
m, what would be the length of the swale? [L = 1.8 m]

Example 2 Given,

- Manning’s coefficient, n = 0.04.

- Longitudinal slope, S = 0.005.
- Area, A = 0.2 ha
- Infiltration, f = 10 cm/hr
- Side slope, z = 6.
- Intensity, I = 1.25 cm/hr

Runoff from the contributing area, Q

 𝑄 = 𝐴 × 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
1.25
𝑄 = 0.2 × 104 × 100×60×60 = 0.00694 𝑚3 /𝑠

a) Swale length for triangular cross-sectional shape,

𝐾𝑄 5⁄8 𝑆 3⁄16
𝐿=
𝑛3⁄8 𝑓

48500 × 0.006945⁄8 × 0.0053⁄16

𝐿=
0.043⁄8 × 10

L = 268.7669
L = 268.77 m

b) Storage volume of swale, over a length of 122 m for 200

min

Q(Δt) - Qf(Δt) = Volume of swale

8
3 5
𝐿𝑛8 𝑓
𝑄(∆𝑡) − [ 3 ] (∆𝑡) = 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
𝐾𝑆 16
8
122 × 0.043/8 × 10 5
0.00694 × 200 × 60 − [ ] × 200
48500 × 0.0053/16
× 60 = 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

83.28 − 23.535 = 𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

𝑆𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 59.74 𝑚3

Considering a trapezoidal shaped channel with bottom width, B = 15

m.
 360000𝑄
𝐿= 3/8
𝑛𝑄(1 + 𝑧 2 )1/3
{𝐵 + 2 ( 1/2 2/3 ) (1 + 𝑧 2 )1/2 } 𝑓
𝑆 𝑧 [(1 + 𝑧 2 )1/2 − 𝑧]

360000 × 0.00694
𝐿= 3/8
0.04 × 0.00694 × (1 + 62 )1/3
{15 + 2 ( ) × (1 + 62 )1/2 } × 10
0.0051/2 × 62/3 × [(1 + 62 )1/2 − 6]

360000 × 0.00694
𝐿=
9.25 3/8
{15 + 2 × (0.0193) × 6.083} × 10

𝐿 = 1.81 𝑚

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