Portable rainfall simulator and plot unit for use in field studies of infiltration, runoff and erosion.
Abstract
The equipment described uses 6 in. wide mild-steel plates for top and jointed side-sections to form a 10 × 6 ft plot with an angle-iron collecting drain forming the fourth side and with an outlet leading to a suitable container. Simulated rainfall is supplied to the plot from drums of water by means of a mobile engine-driven centrifugal pump fitted with a by-pass valve. The actual application onto the plot is by a hand-operated boom. The simulated rain has a median drop size of 1.3 mm at an intensity of 320 points hr--1 and at a terminal velocity of 26 ft sec--1.